Wilson encourages support for breastfeeding mothers
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, urged businesses and the community to provide more help and resources to women who are breastfeeding.
Ms Wilson spoke during the opening event of National Breastfeeding Month yesterday.
She said this year’s theme of “Closing the gap: breastfeeding support for all”, emphasised the critical need for inclusive and comprehensive support for breastfeeding mothers throughout Bermuda.
She added: “It is vital to ensure that every mother, regardless of socio-economic status or race, receives the encouragement and resources necessary to breastfeed successfully.
“This support should extend beyond healthcare environments to include community spaces, family members, businesses and workplaces.”
The minister encouraged local businesses to provide “lactation resources so that mothers have adequate places to breastfeed throughout the course of the day”.
“[Women] should not be having to hide somewhere in a corner, they should be having some of these things made available to them to promote breastfeeding.”
She believes the sexualisation of female breasts has created a stigma around breastfeeding.
To reduce this stigma and normalise breastfeeding, several posters containing photos and written experiences of breastfeeding mothers are on display in the Washington Mall.
Ms Wilson said the posters “highlight personal stories, illustrating where gaps exist and how we can all contribute to a supportive, inclusive network for breastfeeding mothers”.
Vairi Furtado, who took part in the initiative, said teaching children about breastfeeding in schools could reduce its stigma.
She explained: “For the older population as well, we need to educate them on how it is such a special bond between a mother and child and nutrition-wise and finance-wise it is excellent for them.”
Jahkera Tucker, another participant, explained: “Breastfeeding should be more normalised for women, they should not feel afraid to feed their children.”
Michelle Furbert wrote: “As a mom of twins and a five-year-old who requires a lot of attention and a significant other who also feels left out a lot, I find it super hard to produce the required milk for one baby, let alone two.
“Every day I am working on increasing my supply while doing my best not to stress about it, but I keep pressing on.
“There are so many communities out there, local and foreign, that help you feel at ease and remind you that you are doing a great job.”
Lashuntae Dill-Assing wrote: “Recently while trying to feed in public I was encouraged by those around me as I shared with them my lack of confidence in breastfeeding in public.
“They boosted my confidence by affirming me, giving me tips and tricks to be more effective during my feeds and creating a space of safety and comfort.
“These simple acts and words really anchored me in my breastfeeding journey, those words spoken to me on that day play in my head now every time I go to feed my infant in public.”
Andrea Diamond Bean wrote: “Breastfeeding is tremendously supported and accepted in our community.
“The excitement and encouragement that was received from mothers was impeccable.
“I do wish that the community would supply a private area for breastfeeding mothers while out in public.
“It’s so uplifting to receive positive feedback from other mothers.”
The posters are on display opposite One Communications near the mall’s Church Street entrance until August 9, and will move to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital next week.
The Department of Health’s podcast Bermuda Health-Abets will air an episode about breastfeeding on August 5.
The documentary Milk – Born Into this World will be shown at the National Sports Centre at 6.30pm on August 21 and the Government will release a registry of breastfeeding-friendly businesses at the end of the month.
• Visitgov.bm/breastfeedingfor more information about the benefits of breastfeeding and available resources.
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