HANDOUT #3D – ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO BREASTFEEDING
Many mothers realize that breastfeeding can be easy for them and their babies once they
learn practical ways to fit breastfeeding into their busy lives.
Embarrassment
Things she might say: Ideas you can share:
I could never do that. Reassure her that many women worry
I just can’t see myself about embarrassment.
doing it. Tell her many women grow more
I only want to breastfeed comfortable with the idea of nursing
at home. after baby is born.
It would be just too Show her ways to breastfeed discreetly.
embarrassing. Tips would include:
I can’t stand the thought o Pulling her shirt up from the
of a baby at my breast. bottom, rather than the top.
I think I’ll just pump and o Buying nursing tops that are
put it in a bottle. available at many maternity
and discount stores.
o Practicing in front of a mirror.
o Asking a partner or friend
She may worry that: to observe.
o Using a sling or cover
Her breasts may be with a blanket.
exposed in public. o Seeking out dressing rooms.
She may make others Other options:
uncomfortable. o Shopping at stores that provide
Other people may nursing mother’s rooms.
criticize her. o Pumping milk in advance and
She will have uncomfortable feed a bottle in public.
questions to answer, Teach women who are worried that people
especially if her child may watch them breastfeeding to keep their
continues to want to nurse eyes up and focused in another direction.
as he grows older. Write other ideas here:
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Time and Social Constraints
Things she might say: Ideas you can share:
I don’t have time Mothers can express their milk for times
to breastfeed. when they will be separated from their
He’ll be spoiled babies. A few tips include:
if I breastfeed. o Express soon after baby is
I’m afraid he won’t born to relieve fullness and
take a bottle. freeze for later use.
Since I have to go back to o Use a breast pump or hand
work it won’t be worth the express milk.
effort to breastfeed. o Contact the WIC local agency that
He’ll be too attached. may provide a breast pump mothers
I think I’ll just pump and can use to express their milk.
put it in a bottle. o Store milk in the refrigerator or
freezer for times when she needs
to be separated from her baby.
Breastfeeding helps her stay connected
She may worry that: to her baby after a separation.
She can talk with her supervisor at work
Her child may become (or counselor at school) about her plans
overly dependent. to breastfeed. She can discuss:
Her baby may not easily o Coming back to work more
accept a bottle when she gradually, such as working
needs him to. part-time for a while.
She cannot easily speak o Finding a place to express milk
about her breastfeeding when she is away from her baby.
needs, especially with a Teach women that:
male supervisor or principal. o Babies who are breastfed are
It will be too hard to express actually more independent and
milk. self-assured.
o Babies often take a bottle from
Combining work/school and
someone else besides the mother
breastfeeding will be too
when needed.
overwhelming.
Write other ideas here:
Breastfeeding is going to
mean she won’t have a life.
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Lack of Social Support
Things she might say: Ideas you can share:
My mother says we can’t Encourage the mother to talk with her
make milk in our family. partner and mother about their infant
I want the baby’s father to feeding decisions.
feed the baby, too. Invite her family members to attend
I want the baby’s father (or prenatal classes.
her mother) to help with the Show her how the baby’s father can be
baby. involved with the baby, such as:
It will be too hard for others o Playing with the baby.
to keep the baby if I o Burping.
breastfeed. o Cuddling the baby after
I don’t know anyone in my breastfeeding.
family who has ever o Singing or humming softly if baby
breastfed before. is fussy.
I don’t want my baby’s o Holding the baby closely, skin-to-
father to see me skin.
breastfeeding. o Doing infant massage.
Show her how her mother can be involved
with the baby, such as:
o Bathing the baby.
She may worry that: o Dressing the baby.
o Cuddling and rocking the baby after
Family members who will breastfeeding.
be caring for her child will o Caring for other children who need
not be supportive. special attention.
The baby’s father will not o Nurturing her daughter, the new
be able to feel close to the mother.
baby unless she bottle feeds. Write other ideas here:
Her mother or female
relatives want to feed the
baby, too.
It will be too hard to try and
breastfeed in public places.
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Fear of Pain
Things she might say: Ideas you can share:
My friends all say it hurts. Pain can usually be prevented by
I just couldn’t do it. positioning and latching the baby properly.
I quit with my first baby Mothers can attend a WIC prenatal
after three days because it breastfeeding class to learn how to properly
hurt so badly. position and latch their babies.
Although some breast tenderness is normal
right at first, breastfeeding usually grows
very comfortable as long as the baby is
She may worry that: latched correctly.
Women have been breastfeeding all over
Breastfeeding will be overly the world for many years.
painful. People in the community can help if they
The “horror tales” she has think something is not working correctly.
heard from friends are true. Write other ideas here:
If she had a painful
experience breastfeeding
another child that it will be
painful this time, too.
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Lack of Confidence
Things she might say: Ideas you can share:
I don’t think I’ll make Always find something to praise a new
enough milk. mother about.
I might “try” to breastfeed. Let her know she is a good mother.
Breastfeeding will be too Remind her that lots of mothers have
hard. shared her concerns and found that
I’m afraid I won’t have any breastfeeding can work.
milk like my mother did. Breast size does not determine how much
I’m going to breastfeed, but milk she will make. Women of all breast
I also want some formula sizes have been able to breastfeed.
from WIC “just in case.” Mothers can make plenty of milk for their
My breasts are too small. babies by getting off to a good start (as
I’m not sure I can do it. discussed in later modules).
Write other ideas here:
She may worry that:
Breastfeeding will be too
difficult for her.
Breastfeeding will be
overwhelming and too hard
to learn in the midst of her
other demands.
There’s something wrong
with her breasts (too big/too
small/nipple issues).
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