Why I am a Lactivist

I am a lactation activist and I promote breastfeeding because I found it so difficult and such hard work that when I was criticized for it it tipped me over the edge of tact and I started to design and sell pro-breastfeeding slogan t-shirts.

With help I got through a whole heap of problems but I was one of the lucky ones as the help is not generally that easy to find.

Had I not actually growled at the Health Visitor who suggested topping up with formula she probably would have encouraged me to stop breastfeeding as I had a baby who fed almost constantly for at least the first 6 months of his life, then every 3 hours or so through the night until he self weaned at 2.

I growled because I had got that far I was no way in hell going back. I hated breastfeeding, almost every minute of it but I did it because I just cannot believe that anything artificial would be as good as my milk. Also, I just could not give any money to the formula companies who cause death daily by promoting it as better than breastmilk, and as a status symbol.

The NCT say that less than 2% of mums and babies have physical reasons not to breastfeed but in reality there are just not enough trained lactation consultants to go round and plenty of mis informed health visitors who have been raised on formula themselves and can’t think of any problems with it. The facts are supported by good strong research that prove that formula has links to obesity, asthma, allergies etc.  but some health professionals think that if it was good enough for them it should be good enough for a new mum and baby.

I truly believe that by giving my son human milk at the start of his life he will grow up to be healthy and strong and protected.

Rant over

Lisa