Happy National Breastfeeding Month! By now, you’ve likely heard about the many benefits of breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the ideal nutrition for baby’s growing brain and body. Breastfeeding can also improve mom’s health, lowering her risk for diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease. In fact, people like to say that breastfeeding is a superpower! This National Breastfeeding Month, we’re sharing (fictional) stories of how popular superheroes made breastfeeding work, by following four important tips.

 

Tip 1: Get breastfeeding information from reliable sources
In the age of social media, it’s so important to get breastfeeding advice and information from reliable sources. Think: your OBGYN, pediatrician, or doula and the webpages of organizations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Health, hospitals, and health centers, or the La Leche League. Friends and family members may mean well, but may can share outdated or incorrect information, even those who have years of breastfeeding experience.

 

Tip 2: All breastfeeding experiences are unique: Trust yourself, your body, and your baby
Every mom and baby is different and there’s no “one size fits all” approach to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding goes best when you learn about the signs of successful breastfeeding and trust your observations and instincts, rather than compare yourself to other breastfeeding families.

 

Let’s leave NYC to see how these two tips helped one super-powered mom! Meet Princess Shuri, from the Black Panther and Wakanda Forever movies. She just gave birth to a baby and is breastfeeding, with the help of her doula and her mom, Queen Ramonda. At the hospital, she asks for help when breastfeeding is painful. Her doula shows her the best ways to get a deep latch and prevent nipple pain. Shuri worries that her baby is not drinking enough, so her doula has her count the number of wet and soiled diapers her baby has, then compare them to the typical amount. This makes sense to Shuri, a scientist.

 

The Kingdom of Wakanda might have Vibranium, but it doesn’t have Tiktok! Shuri enjoys scrolling social media but lately, she’s been comparing herself to other families, especially regarding breastfeeding and sleep milestones. Her mom assures her that all families and babies are different, and to speak with a lactation specialist in real life, if she has questions or concerns.

 

Tip 3: Take care of yourself mentally and physically
Pregnancy and the postpartum period is a challenge. Many parents face sleep deprivation, stress, and loneliness. Some feel depressed and overwhelmed. Expert advice: Mom should attend her postpartum visits and speak honestly about her mood. She should do at least one positive thing each day for “herself.” For example, a walk outside, gentle exercise, chats with loved ones, meditation, deep breathing, reading, or a good cuddle!

 

Tip 4: Seek out support from your loved ones and community
You’ve heard that “it takes a village to raise a child.”  Use “your village” to help you breastfeed, particularly during those tough first weeks after baby’s birth. Your loved ones can help in countless ways, but only YOU can breastfeed. Make daily breastfeeding a priority rather than spreading yourself thin with other household tasks.

 

Ready to visit another famous family? Meet Anna from the movie Frozen. She and her partner Kristoff just welcomed a baby. Kristoff works some nights harvesting ice, so Anna’s super sister, Elsa, helps too. Even storybook princesses need sleep, so Anna sleeps when the baby sleeps. When the baby wakes, Kristoff or Elsa bring him to Anna to feed. Afterwards, Kristoff burps and diapers the baby in another room so Anna can sleep.

 

Though it’s cold, Anna dresses herself and the baby warm and walks around the Kingdom of Arendelle. They visit some friends. Leaving the house and having adult interactions has made her feel better during these crazy weeks. She continues to speak to the therapist she met during pregnancy. On the days when she has less help, Anna concentrates on sleep and breastfeeding, rather than dishes or laundry. It’s been an adjustment, but she tells herself to “Let It Go!”

 

Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn’t always come naturally. Breastfeeding requires knowledge, practice, trust, and self-care. Let Anna and Shuri’s experiences guide your breastfeeding journey. Follow these tips to discover your own superpower: Breastfeeding!

 

To get breastfeeding help at Montefiore, consult your OBGYN or baby’s pediatrician. To learn more before or after you give birth, check out our website:  https://www.montefiore.org/breastfeedingsupport.

 

 

Claire Garon, MPH, CLC is a senior health educator at the Office of Community & Population Health at Montefiore Health System.