Making Milk, Providing Milk.
Making milk is what a lactating body does for a baby and mother. Providing milk is what many others can do for the baby and the family. This year the theme of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7 is “Closing the Gap”. That is why I want to clarify about making milk and providing milk.
To provide human milk, we need systems that recognize this as essential nutrition for babies. The structures include health education, postpartum support, lactation specific care, workplace policies and insurance coverage. To close the gap, understand where the gap is.
Sometimes we simply need to give clear, accurate information about Human Milk and formula. For example: Speaking with two administrators at BC/BS of MA, my colleagues and I voiced our concern for including IBCLC breastfeeding support. One administrator asked “I’ve never had a baby or breastfed, so I don’t understand…Why would a woman need help with breastfeeding once she’s left the hospital?” This person was making an important policy decision, this was the crucial point to address.
Our answer to their question: Because the first two weeks are critical to building milk supply. Because babies may have issues that make breastfeeding difficult.
In another situation, several colleagues testified to senators regarding Donor Human Milk being included in MaineCare coverage. Finally one senator asked, “Why don’t we just give them formula?” There again, a critical piece of information was needed for a decision maker.
Answer: Because Human Breast Milk provides immune and growth factors that protect the immature gut membrane. Human breast milk provides minerals, hormones and many micronutrients not found in formula.
In your own work and life, these actions can help close the gaps:
Connect with the MSBC and with local breastfeeding resources in your region. Networking with each other is how we help strengthen the safety nets.
• Write or call your state and federal legislators, they benefit from your perspective. The United States Breastfeeding Coalition has listed national bills to address.
Share your story of an employer, insurance company or health care provider that has positive lactation/breastfeeding support. We can encourage advocacy with positive examples. Contact me at robin@birthready.com
Call out manipulative marketing that undermines good information. This is described in our April 10, 2024 blog; “Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes.” Review this survey about the W.H.O Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes.
Give the new and expectant families you know information about donating Human Milk. There is a significant need for more donors. Contact the Mothers Milk Bank Northeast at donate@milkbankne.org
August is National Breastfeeding Month in the United States. This includes three weeks in August that honor breastfeeding in specific cultures.
August 8-14
Indigenous Milk Medicine
August 15-21
Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
August 25-31
Black Breastfeeding Week
We aim to normalize breastfeeding and to provide human breast milk to more vulnerable babies. By ‘closing the gap’, children in every community will have the same early and equal opportunity to thrive.
Photo credit: Maria Fernanda via Pexel.com