Breastfeeding: 3 tips to remember to stop feeling guilty

Eloïse Bertil 08h00, October 03, 2022

PODCAST

On leaving the maternity ward, there is no debate more divisive than that of breastfeeding.

In the "Sage-Meuf" podcast, midwife Anna Roy shares her personal experience as a mother faced with this choice: give the breast or the bottle?

And once the decision is made, how to assume it and deal with criticism or remarks?

Idea n°1: whatever we do, as a woman, we are systematically judged whether we decide to breastfeed or bottle-feed.

"For Auguste, a few weeks apart, I found myself twice in a row in the same park, breastfeeding my baby, says Anna Roy. The first time, an acquaintance in the neighborhood approaches and tells me : 'I don't know how you manage to bear having your breasts sucked like that all day, you who are such a free and powerful woman.'

“The midwife decides not to answer, she is incomprehensible in the face of this judgment.

Then, two months later, here it is again the subject of criticism.

But this time, because she gives the bottle.

"Another woman I barely know comes up to me and says, 'You could still have insisted on breastfeeding! It's still not that complicated to breastfeed when we've gone back to work!'

It wasn't what I wanted to hear, let alone what I needed," says Anna Roy.

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Idea n°2: the important thing is to take time for research and reflection to make an informed choice.

If for some women, the choice of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding is a natural choice, this is not the case for all mothers, also insists Anna Roy.

"Before changing jobs, you find out about the place, the type of job, the remuneration or even the hours... And no one will find it strange that you take so much information! So for breastfeeding, which is something something much more engaging on the physical level and the psychic level, why should it be different? That we know immediately what our path will be? We must make this choice of breastfeeding in conscience", insists the wise -woman.

>> Young parents, are you looking for more information?

Discover our special file around "Sage-Meuf" season 2

Idea n°3: surround yourself with professionals who are able to listen without passing judgment.

To be accompanied as well as possible in this decision, Anna Roy finally gives her main advice: "Get in touch with a liberal midwife, with the PMI, with a breastfeeding support association, a lactation consultant, a childcare worker or any another person who will be able to help you.”

In a joking tone, she adds: “And above all, do not hesitate to change it if this person does not suit you.

You are not married to us!"

On the question of breastfeeding, "let's collectively let go of the bunch, or rather the breasts, and be content to support each other and listen to each other attentively and without judgment", concludes Anna Roy.

>> Also discover Anna Roy's advice on the medical follow-up of newborns, on the management of emotions in postpartum or on outings with baby

For the launch of season 2 of Sage Meuf, Carrefour continues to support the National College of Midwives of France.

For each listening, the brand undertakes to pay a donation to support the actions of the association and that the midwifery profession is recognized and better understood.