I've been doing a series of posts for Best for Babes on "Booby Traps" you might experience during your pregnancy in your OB of midwife's office. "Booby Traps" is the term Best for Babes uses to describe cultural and institutional barriers to breastfeeding mothers often encounter.
This series focuses on obstetricians and midwives because research has shown that they are very influential in mothers' feeding decisions - decisions that are made early in pregnancy. So these providers have a key role to play in promoting and supporting breastfeeding.
Here are some highlights from that series:
What your OB doesn't know can hurt breastfeeding: The textbook your OB read in her training may not have mentioned some of the very basic information about breastfeeding that could advise and assist moms. And one study found that 70% of obstetricians in one state were not taught anything about breastfeeding management in medical school or residency.
What you should hear (and not hear) at your prenatal visits: I listed a number of things you should hear from your OB or midwife, such as "“Here’s a list of breastfeeding support resources in our area," and "What questions or concerns do you have about breastfeeding?"
Planning for a breastfeeding-friendly birth: This post drew heavily on my podcast interview with Linda Smith, the nation's leading expert on the relationship between birth and breastfeeding. I shared her top three pieces of advice for having a breastfeeding-friendly birth (doulas, non-drug pain relief methods, knowing your provider and hospital's stats).
When a gift from your OB is not a gift at all: Research shows that mothers who are given formula gift bags at their first prenatal visit to the OB are five times more likely to stop breastfeeding before they leave the hospital.
What your OB should know about breastfeeding and medications. This is a guest post by Dr. Alison Steube, an OB/GYN who did this podcast interview with me on formula company marketing in hospitals.
Does your OB follow the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's protocol? The Academy has a protocol for what should happen at your prenatal visits.
I'll be doing a podcast with the Best for Babes founders, Bettina and Danielle soon!
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