Breastfeeding is a Human Rights issue
Carene Let me start by saying that the goal of this blog article is not to make anyone feel guilty. The information shared is aimed at creating awareness on how to better support mothers and babies with breastfeeding, and possibly to add another motivating perspective to the common question lurking in some mother’s minds; “Why should I breastfeed?”
Have you ever considered breastfeeding to be a Human Right?
Every woman should have the right to breastfeed, and every baby should have the right to be breastfed. If we understand that breastfeeding is the biological norm, as part of the normal reproductive system as lactation naturally follows pregnancy, then this concept makes complete sense. In fact, if the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 25(1) states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food…”, then why would babies be excluded from this? Just because they cannot talk, does not mean they don’t have rights. Exercising these rights stretches beyond that of the mother and the baby, as governing bodies, healthcare workers, employers and society as a whole shape how we feed our children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have implemented a number of measures, policies and declarations in support of this notion, namely the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative, the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding.
“WE THEREFORE DECLARE that As a global goal for optimal maternal and child health and nutrition, all women should be enabled to practise exclusive breastfeeding and all infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk from birth to 4- 6 months of age. Thereafter, children should continue to be breastfed, while receiving appropriate and adequate complementary foods, for up to two years of age or beyond. This child-feeding ideal is to be achieved by creating an appropriate environment of awareness and support so that women can breastfeed in this manner.”
A Woman’s right to breastfeed vs. a Baby’s right to be breastfed…
A sticky statement, isn’t it? Does the mother have a choice in the matter? What would the child choose if given the opportunity? Does the mother’s right relate to that of the child?
Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child says, “In all actions concerning children…the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.” (Convention on the Rights of the Child 1990)
Truth is, we cannot force any mother to breastfeed, however our policies, healthcare professionals and communities need to enable mothers to breastfeed to the best of their abilities. The International Breastfeeding journal describes this concern well by explaining that laws related to human rights should be shaped as seeing the mother and child to have the same interests and to be treated and a shared unit.
Exercising your human rights is easier said than done.
There are many factors that can have an influence, both positive and negative. It is easy to say what we want but, it becomes a different story when trying to obtain it. There are numerous obstacles and challenges related to mothers being able to breastfeed and infants being breast fed. Let’s dissect a few (there are many more) …
- On a Global scale breastfeeding rates remain low, especially in low-income countries and marginalized communities. This is often due to barriers like lack of maternity leave, inadequate healthcare support, and the widespread marketing of infant formula. These obstacles prevent mothers from breastfeeding their babies in the early stages when it is most important.
- Inadequate Maternity Leave and Workplace Support. Many mothers find it difficult to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, due to the lack of maternity leave or proper lactation facilities. In South Africa mothers are only permitted 4-months maternity leave, often unpaid or lower compensation fund payouts. It is well known that mothers return to work often lead to early weaning. Paid parental leave and workplace lactation rooms are essential in allowing mothers to nurse or express milk, ensuring that their babies continue to receive the benefits of breastfeeding for the recommended 2 years or beyond.
- You don’t know what you don’t know. Imagine if you did not know the benefits of breastfeeding to motivate you to give it a go, or if you did not know where to get help, would you have even tried breastfed? A lot of mothers receive misinformation which can easily do more harm than good, making it even more challenging to breastfeed. It is a sad reality that many women do not have access to proper breastfeeding education and support. In South Africa lactation consultants mostly operate in the private sector, as this field is not yet recognized in the government health care setting. We need more trained healthcare professionals that are well-trained to assist new mothers in their breastfeeding journey.
- Formula Companies have enormous marketing budgets and sneaky strategies to promote formula products. The aggressive marketing of formula feeding, particularly in low-income countries, creates a false narrative that formula is just as good as or better than breast milk. This often leads to mothers choosing formula over breastfeeding, not because of a lack of desire but because of a lack of proper education and support. South Africa has implemented the Code R991, which is a set of rules and regulations prohibiting the marketing of breast milk substitutes. This code was implemented in South Africa in 2012, and is in dire need of an update with the advancements of social media and its use in marketing.
Should we sit back and play the victim? Heck No! We need to fight for our Rights!
Especially when it comes to mothers and babies.
Let’s face it, it is very easy to blame the government for all our problems and just hope for something to happen one day. There are immediate steps we can take to help ourselves and others to better exercise their rights to breastfeed or be breastfed. If you have some ideas that I might have missed, please share them with me so I might help more families to make the change.
Caréne Joubert
/ Bump to Babe Founder Caréne Joubert
/ Bump to Babe Founder Caréne Joubert
/ Bump to Babe FounderYes, it would help a lot if the Government could improve the policies on Maternity Leave, to allow mothers more time to establish breastfeeding and maintain their supply more easily. Allowing, at the very least, the full 6-month period, which is the recommended period to exclusively breastfeed. Once the little ones consume more solid foods and are less dependent on breastfeeding, it may be much easier to continue. And while they are at it, why not advocate for paid maternity leave? Make the UIF claiming process easier with improved payouts.
While those ideas might be a bit presumptuous, improving breastfeeding education and support for mothers, is not. If the healthcare system could make more use of Lactation Consultants (we are growing in numbers), it could add tremendous value to maternal support and breastfeeding rates. Healthcare professionals that work with mothers and babies should be educated on breastfeeding support to help the mothers that they see on a daily basis. Our mothers can also take it upon themselves to find support and learn more about breastfeeding before, during, and after pregnancy. This can be through healthcare providers, community programs, and peer support groups. If we do better at ensuring that mothers have access to professional help when they face challenges, we can prevent early cessation and foster long-term breastfeeding success.
Employers can be better at becoming Breastfeeding-Friendly. Employers can create supportive environments by offering designated lactation rooms, flexible break times, and understanding supervisors. Point 5.13 in the Code of Good Practice permits extra time for breastfeeding or pumping during work, which should be permitted and encouraged by employers. These steps make it easier for working mothers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
“Arrangements should be made for employees who are breast-feeding to have breaks of 30 minutes twice per day for breast-feeding or expressing milk each working day for the first six months of the child’s life.”
Don’t fall for everything you see on social media. Be wary of the subtle ways that formula companies use to trick you into thinking that you and your breastfeeding is less than. We as health care professionals need to do our part to challenge the marketing of breast milk substitutes, by reporting any violations of the code. We need to give unbiased, evidenced-based information and guidance to our clients. We need more public awareness campaigns that can also inform parents about the risks of formula feeding and the lifelong benefits of breastfeeding.
The family, friends and community can be more supportive towards breastfeeding mothers. Be careful of the words you use, that might make the mother feel insecure about her breastfeeding (he/she is still hungry, are you sure he/she is getting enough, etc). Support breastfeeding mothers by assisting with basic needs like food, laundry, picking up the older kids from school, etc. You are giving her valuable time with her baby to breastfeed calmly and attentively. I am always amazed to see a friend or family member calling me to come and help a mother or seeing them accompany the mother to her appointments. Can we also normalize having dedicated breastfeeding spaces in public areas? I would guess that would be a very good way to get more feet into your store or shopping center. Benefitting both the supplier and consumer.
Before my hopes and dreams run away with me, let me end off by reminding you that breastfeeding is not just a personal choice; it is a fundamental right for every mother and baby. It is a right to optimal nutrition, protection against diseases, and to a strong emotional bond between mothers and babies. However, this right can only be realized when mothers receive the support and resources they need. If we all play our part, whether providing direct breastfeeding support, allocating a space in the office form mothers to pump, or offering to help with the laundry for a new mother. It will make a difference, bit by bit. And if you are a government official reading this, please do something about this. It’s time we acknowledge and advocate the fact that every mother and baby deserve the right to breastfeed.
References:
- Kent G, Child Feeding and Human Rights. International Breastfeeding Journal 2006
- Convention on the Rights of the Child 1990 [http://www.unhchr.ch/html/ menu3/b/k2crc.htm]. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Department of Health. Regulations Relating to Foodstuffs for Infants and Young Children. Government Gazette, 2 March 2012
