Global Breastfeeding Experiences - Australia

by Alanna Shaikh

Published April 23, 2009 @ 09:28AM PT

Interview with Kareena Hoy Poy

1. What country were you born in? Where are you raising your child(ren)?

I was born and raised in the US (both east and west coast) and came to live in Australia when I was 21. I am now a dual citizen and am raising my children in Australia. They were both born here and are also dual citizens.

2. How old were you when you first saw someone breastfeed?

My brother was born when I was four and I think he was the first baby I saw breastfeeding. At the very least, that is the first time I can consciously remember seeing anyone breastfeed.

3. How old was your child when you stopped breastfeeding? How long did you exclusively breastfeed?

My eldest was 2 years 7 months when he stopped. He stopped about two weeks before his little brother was born and the pregnancy played a large part in the breakdown of our breastfeeding relationship. He's asked on and off over the months to have a feed but has forgotten how to suck properly to trigger letdown. I am currently feeding my now 8 month old son and plan to for as long as he needs (two years being minimum).

Both children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months before introducing solids.

4. What were you reasons for breastfeeding?

My babies are humans. Human milk for human babies. Why would I want to feed my child the milk of another animal when it is not designed for baby humans? I don't live on fake food like McDonalds, why would I feed my child fake milk?

5. Were your friends and relatives supportive of your breastfeeding?

Yes because I refused to surround myself with anyone who was not.

6. Is breastfeeding standard in your culture? To what age?

Hard to say. It should be and it is within my group of friends. Unfortunately, the breastfeeding rates in both America and Australia are abysmal and myths and poor advice abound.

7. Were medical professionals in your country supportive of breastfeeding?

Yes, for the most part. I did have an unfortunate encounter with a Dr who had no clue while I was pregnant. I also avoided the Community Child Health Nurses because of their reputation for giving horrid advice and believing absolute nonsense myths about breastfeeding.

8. Have you ever breastfed someone else's baby? Let someone else feed your child?

No, but I would if the need arose. I know people who have done so on a regular basis, as well.

9. What could be done in your culture to make breastfeeding easier and more accepted?

Stop pandering to the myth that "some people just can't breastfeed" and own up to the fact that only 3-5% of the population *actually* physically *can't*. Educate health professionals on the current research about breastfeeding. Make formula a prescription only last resort. I could go on, but you get the picture.

10. Is there anything else you'd like to say about breastfeeding?
Both my sons were born with a tongue tie.  We knew what to expect with my second and were on top of it (although it did not cause him as many problems as it caused my first son).  With my first son, breastfeeding was a nightmare at first.  He never latched properly, I was exhausted and naive and no one else quite took me seriously when I said I thought something was wrong beyond the usual beginner difficulties.  He ended up losing more weight than the usual 10% of birthweight and was taken to the hospital.  It turned out that all the inefficient not so much feeding (not to mention stress) had caused my supply to go way down so that I couldn't pump enough to feed him (because of his tongue tie and my flattish nipples, he found it easier to latch on a bottle).  So, he was given formula while I desperately tried to pump to up my supply.  After a few days of formula comping, my supply had recovered and he had gained weight.  He'd only latch to a nipple shield and I still had to pump.  It took forever to get in to see a specialist to have his tongue tie snipped which would make latching easier for him.  That whole time I used a nipple shield and pumped.  It was hell.  I got no sleep and felt like I was attached to a milking machine like a cow.  After his tongue tie was fixed (a simple procedure) it took him another four days to learn to latch properly.  After that he was insatiable.  He gained weight at a phenomenal rate and fed like a champ.  It would have been so easy to just say "I can't breastfeed" and switch to formula.  But I didn't because I not only knew I *could* breastfeed but that it was the only way to feed a baby.  So, when I say that breastfeeding is the only way and that formula should only be a last resort, it is not without sympathy for how difficult breastfeeding can be or because I had an easy time of it myself.  I *know* how hard and awful and demoralizing breastfeeding difficulties can be but I also know that they can be overcome with a little bit of determination and the right information.

Breastfeeding is the only way to feed a baby, full stop. In an ideal world, formula would be a prescription only last resort. Only 3-5% of women truly *can't* breastfeed.  So, why are breastfeeding rates so low throughout Western Society?  Because of bad advice from "healthcare" providers, misinformation from formula companies and strange hang ups about the role of breasts in our society.  Society needs to re-learn what breasts are actually for.