Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

i Editor's Letter: Why are we making mothers feel guilty?

 

Victoria Summerley
Wednesday 17 October 2012 22:28 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Twenty years after I had my children, I can't believe we are still discussing the pros and cons of breastfeeding.

There seems to be little doubt that it is beneficial, both from a financial and a medical point of view. Mothers pass on their antibodies, and it's cheaper than buying formula milk and all the paraphernalia that entails.

Research points to health benefits for mothers too. Breast-feeding helps you lose weight after pregnancy, apparently - not that I ever noticed. (But then I lived on Danish pastries when I was breastfeeding, because that's all I ever had time to eat.)

However, there are plenty of reasons why women don't breastfeed. It's painful - to begin with, at any rate. Some women worry their bodies will be ruined by it, and I don't think this should be dismissed as mere vanity. Pregnancy is a strangely invasive, dehumanising process, and by the time you've been poked and prodded at the antenatal clinic, and in the labour ward, there's a sense that you want to protect what is left of your bruised, flabby frame.

Some babies just don't thrive. My sister, for example, was told - by her health visitor - to stop breastfeeding my niece because the baby wasn't putting on weight quickly enough.

I think the key to helping mothers choose to breastfeed is encouragement and support, not moral blackmail. If they find it painful, shove a tube of Kamillosan in their hand, not a leaflet about the health benefits. Making mothers feel guilty seems to have become a national pastime, and it's time we stopped.

Stefano Hatfield is away

Follow @VBackyard

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in