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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 21 Nov 2005 08:41:45 +0000
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Rachel writes:

>
>
>I think one of the important things we can do as people who work with
>breastfeeding mothers is to work for changes on a societal level so that
>mothers will be able to be near their children for at least the first 6
>months.

At least : )))

It distresses me that without proper provision for maternity leave, 
it  becomes somehow the mother's responsibility to sort out her life 
so she can continue to breastfeed beyond the first weeks....this is 
not her job, but the job of the society she lives in, to value bf and 
to value mothering (and parenting) and to make it possible for it to 
flourish.

I am glad to say that very, very gradually, maternity and parental 
leave is increasing in the UK. It is now *illegal* to do paid  work 
before your baby is six weeks old, though the illegality is not 
committed by the mother but the employer. Maternity leave on full pay 
is now 26 weeks and there is a further option of 26 weeks not at full 
pay....there is also paternity  leave available. I think we have a 
long way to go to match some other European countries,  but this is 
where the change should be taking place, not with individuals but 
with national, statutory working conditions.

Enployers are now legally obliged to offer flexible working options 
(job share, part time) to mothers on their return to work.

Daycare for babies of a few months old, or worse, a few weeks old, is 
not compatible with breastfeeding or with good emotional and 
psychological care....and in the case we read here, even physical 
care is compromised.

Bf supporters should be saying this loud and clear, not to individual 
mothers especially,  but to our legislators.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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