Be Kind, reduce the world's breastfeeding stress

A lady calls me to ask about my prenatal classes – the breastfeeding classes in particular
“What stage of your pregnancy are you in?” I ask
I am not pregnant yet – but I want to attend the class before I get pregnant because this time I want to get it right.
I didn’t get you – I say
I just lost my newborn baby – she says bursting into tears. And everyone says it is because I did not breastfeed him right.
I am horrified. I am not sure who would be cruel enough to say such a thing – but apparently the world is full of such people.
I speak to her for the next hour – trying to reassure her and then I ask her to call and consult with a psychiatrist friend for further help.
I am all for breastfeeding. Yes breast milk is the best. Yes breastfeeding is the best. And believe me most mothers know that now and try their best.
But for whatever reason if they can’t breastfeed – let’s not be so unkind to them.
As the Breastfeeding week comes to an end – lets’ pledge to help new mothers to breastfeed – let us understand that breastfeeding requires time and patience – let us be kind and forgiving with them and cut them some slack. And let us definitely not judge them if for some reason they can’t breastfeed.
Let us be kind. Let us be empathetic. And the world will automatically be a place where more mothers can successfully breastfeed for longer.

​