Recent research published in Scientific Reports reveals that over 2,000 mothers experienced significant challenges with breastfeeding, impacting mental health. The study highlights feelings of failure among 65% of participants due to difficulties with infant latching. Such experiences resonate with previous articles reflecting on the guilt surrounding breastfeeding. It's emphasized that struggling to breastfeed does not equate to failed motherhood. The culture of guilt is pervasive, but awareness can help mitigate these harmful feelings. Many mothers are motivated to breastfeed yet face significant hurdles, suggesting a deeper societal issue at play in perceptions of motherhood and breastfeeding.
Being aware of the culture of guilt around breastfeeding helped, but it didn't seem to stop these feelings. Which is why I want to say to any woman going through this today that you are not a bad mum and you are not failing your baby if you are struggling to breastfeed.
Most of the women in this study reported being highly motivated to breastfeed as I was and yet they still found it challenging. The lead researcher, Elizabeth Braithwaite, from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute for Children's Futures, told me she wanted to investigate this subject because she noticed how, when she had her own babies, she was affected too.
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