In this episode by La Leche League LLLGB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova welcome Zainab Yate, infant feeding research ethics expert and campaigner, to explore the negative emotions that could arise when providing milk for your child.
Zainab has been a breastfeeding peer supporter with the NHS for a number of years and is author of the only resource site for mothers and healthcare practitioners on aversion (www.breastfeedingaversion.com), where she researches and writes about aversion and why it arises.
Zainab published the first study looking at breastfeeding/nursing aversion and agitation in 2017.
Zainab’s book When Breastfeeding Sucks is available from LLLGB Book Shop.
In modern society breastfeeding is often used – problematically – to exemplify myths about motherhood and maternal love, and is bound up with ideas of what makes a ‘good mother’.
In this context nursing aversion and agitation – intense, distressing feelings that are experienced by the mother during nursing – can be both unexpected and hugely upsetting, particularly if one has already overcome significant challenges in order to breastfeed.
A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed.
LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding.
The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.
Episode Notes:
For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk
Additional Resources:
https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/
https://laleche.org.uk/bf-postnatal-depression/
https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p237/WhenBreastfeedingSucks.html