AS A DOCTOR, I KNOW THE DIFFICULTIES OF BREASTFEEDING. I STRUGGLED, TOO.

In these days of divisive politics and social media firestorms, it is rare to have a topic that we can all agree on. Most everyone would support the statement that breastfeeding is good for your baby. There are a lifetime of maternal and child health benefits from breastfeeding. This statement is not controversial.

However, when it comes to exposure to breastfeeding in public, many Americans disagree. “It is OK and even beneficial if it happens behind closed doors, but do not actually make me see or acknowledge it” seems to be the predominant sentiment about breastfeeding.

Frida Mom, a postpartum maternal supply company, ran a controversial ad during this year’s Golden Globes award show. It portrayed real-life women struggling to breastfeed postpartum. It was brave, raw and real. It is the

type of media necessary to allow us to push and question boundaries and to start a discussion to help normalize breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can be very difficult, and it is not for all mothers. Natural does not mean easy. Even for a natural process, there can be many questions and concerns. I constantly hear from my postpartum patients that “no one told me how hard this would be.” This is partly because, from a societal perspective, we support it, but we do not really acknowledge that it happens. Many women feel extremely alone and lost trying to figure it out while sleepdeprived and in pain.

As a physician and a mother, I know firsthand how difficult this can be. I had premature twins and struggled to breastfeed — and I’m supposed to be the expert. Shame and guilt consume postpartum mothers, leading to postpartum depression and anxiety. American families ostracize lactating women, so when it is our turn to do this “natural” thing, we flounder. It would be helpful if society could accept these struggles as normal and not relegate

I constantly hear from my postpartum patients that ‘no one told me how hard this would be.’ This is partly because, from a societal perspective, we support it, but we do not really acknowledge that it happens.

breastfeeding to dark corners or under-coverings. Somehow, erectile dysfunction is a mainstream topic but breastfeeding is too much for primetime. It does not take an OB/GYN specialist to point out the irony there.

Breastfeeding improves babies’ brain development and leads to a lower incidence of allergies, asthma, diabetes, childhood cancers and sudden infant death syndrome. It also lowers a woman’s risk of both breast and ovarian cancer, along with osteoporosis. It is a very important part of the maternal/ infant bonding process. Breast milk contains the ideal balance of nutrients, antibodies, hormones and growth factors to meet babies’ needs.

At Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, we have many programs to educate and facilitate successful breastfeeding. We understand that women have the right to choose how to feed their babies. What might be right for you and your baby may not be for every woman. Education and support are key in making these decisions.

At birth, we recommend skin-to-skin contact and kangaroo care for preemies. The first hour after birth — the golden hour — we keep the baby warm and placed upon the mother’s chest, as this will facilitate breastfeeding and comfort babies in this new world. The baby’s weight can wait! In the NICU, kangaroo care is critical. This involves the premature baby being cradled on their parent’s bare chest. They can be rocked, be cuddled, and hear the comforting sounds of their parent’s heartbeat and voice. This will naturally progress to breastfeeding with their mother when the premature baby is able.

We offer prenatal breastfeeding education classes, certified lactation consultants and a virtual breastfeeding support group. We also have the New Beginnings Boutique & Gift Shop, staffed by certified lactation consultants. Women can speak with a lactation educator for advice by calling (858) 939-4127 daily.

I applaud Frida Mom and the Golden Globes for airing this commercial. It is time that we support breastfeeding universally. This includes normalizing this incredible, natural, safe, effective, cheap way of feeding babies. We need to question the dogma that it is acceptable to see breasts when they are sexualized in a music performance but not when they are doing what they are naturally designed to do — feeding a baby and supporting the health and well-being of our infants.