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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