Breastfeeding is important to different communities, different groups within communities, and different whānau, for different reasons. How we feed our babies is culturally important for many groups but can be challenging for many reasons. It is up to all of us to support and protect it for it to be a realistic option for families. By us all playing a part, we can take some of the pressure mothers and parents who want to breastfeed, which can increase their chance of it going well.
Whānau have shared with us that breastfeeding is important to them because:
- It is important for their culture.
- It is good for the planet.
- It is “easy” (once it is established)
- It is healthy for the māmā (decreases the chances of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease).
- It releases feel-good hormones in the māmā and pēpi.
- It is healthy for pēpi (reduces the chances of asthma, diabetes, chest infections, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diarrhoea and vomiting)
- It supports bonding and connection.
- It is financially cheaper.
- It is convenient.
- It can support mental health (if it is going well).
- It strengthens intergenerational connections.
It is also important that we acknowledge, support, and protect the needs of those who are unable to breastfeed, or who choose not to.