What do you think is the best way to encourage BFing?

[miss_sonja]

I've realized that encouraging breastfeeding is my 'cause' (you know, some people want to save the whales, I want every mom who is able to nurse to do so with support). Anyway, other than supporting LLL, which I already do, does anyone have ideas about how to do this?

I briefly considered being a LLL leader, but I don't have the patience or the ability to be non-judgmental. I just don't, and it's too bad. Maybe I'll gain that as I grow older? Who knows.

Thanks for any ideas!

[JillyKay]

Go through your local health department. Ask about becoming a "Peer Counselor." They set you up with pregnant and new moms. Have you tried that?
It's very rewarding.

[FoxintheSnow]

If someone had come to me in the hospital and said "Let me help you learn how to breastfeed your son while you are here" (learning before I had him was too abstract) and just basically showed me all the different positions and told me about how much easier it will be to roll over and nurse as opposed to making bottles. I probably would not have gotten off to a bad start and switched to FF. I just didnt find enough support at my hospital.

[rareimer]

i think NIP'ing is very important, as long as you are comfortable with it, of course. makes nursing look so much more normal when you actually see someone doing it.

one thing that i am part of is the Baby Friendly Initiative Committee for our local hospital. working with the hospital's IBCLC, nurses, hopefully eventually some doctors, public health nurses, etc, we are trying to get our hospital within the guidelines to be designated Baby Friendly. this will make breastfeeding alot easier for women who give birth there, and will hopefully help eliminate some of that horrible bad advice and misinformation that so many women get in-hospital that leads to the demise of breastfeeding. go here to learn more about the BFI: http://www.unicef.org/programme/breastfeeding/baby.htm Maybe suggest to your local hospital's LC, or whoever is in charge, that it would be beneficial for them to consider starting such a committee, and volunteer your time.

[miss_sonja]

Thanks for the ideas! :-)

[littleteapot]

Act, speak, and educate that breastfeeding is totally normal. The standard, the basis of all infant nutrition. Breast isn't "Best", formula is inferior. Stop saying, "Breast is best" and start focusing instead on the risks of FFing, not the benefits of BFing. Many people think FF is standard, and BF is a bonus, something you don't have to do. Like extra-credit parenting.

Proudly NIP, don't cover up, don't use towels or hide anywhere. Nurse wherever you want to, whenever you need to. Smile at people passing by, carry on normal conversations, read a book, make it look easy, loving and natural. If anyone gives you a hard time, be armed with knowledge and quickly spout out the laws and repercussions of such an action (Ie. trying to move you to a bathroom).

Good luck