Breastfeeding and the Pope

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I recently read an article about the Pope inviting mothers to breastfeed in the Sistine Chapel while celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The article reminded me of an important part of my Labor and Delivery rotation – feeding. I had the opportunity to shadow a lactation consultant for almost an entire day and it was an enlightening experience to say the least.

First of all, I have not borne a child nor had I had the opportunity to feed an infant at that point. Sure, I have held my little cousins when they were babies, but that is about all the experience I had had even including my shadowing in the NICU. Thus, I was learning about the special cases as well as the basics of breastfeeding.

For instance, I had no idea of the mechanics of sucking. Infants push the breast against the hard palate to expel milk. If an infant is unable to push the breast effectively, the results are sore breasts and an inadequately fed child. There are several reasons why an infant may have difficulty sucking and it is up to the lactation consultant to assess the issue and direct the parents on how to help the infant.

Of course, mothers’ breasts also play a role in the effectiveness of infant feeding. If the milk duct is inflamed or obstructed, the infant will try harder and harder to get the milk flowing to no avail. The lactation consultant can also help determine the problem feeding and help alleviate any pain or condition mothers may have with feeding.

The size of a newborn babe’s stomach at days 1, 3, and 10, as represented by comparable objects and milliliters, respectively. (Source)

Lactation consultants also have a hand in educating parents on alternative ways to feed their newborn. Some women prefer simply to feed from the breast. Others prefer pumping then feeding. Still others prefer feeding their infant with a mixture of donor milk and formula (if there is a medical condition preventing mothers from proffering their own milk).

I was amazed at how much lactation consultants know about the breast and about infants. Without establishing a good feeding regimen immediately postpartum, newborns may struggle to thrive. The fact that Pope Francis encourages mothers to disregard societal pressure to feel embarrassed about breastfeeding is important because without breastfeeding (or however a mother or father may choose to feed her or his infant), the baby is denied a consequential piece of its childhood.

I also appreciate the fact that Pope Francis encouragement stems from an understanding of global issues. Although I tend to remain ethnocentric (that is, focused solely on the culture and society of the United States), it is true that there are parts of the world where women are so malnourished that they cannot offer their infants breastmilk even if they want to. There are also areas of the world where formula may be contaminated because of the water used to make it. Pope Francis has realized this and responded in a commendable way by encouraging breastfeeding whenever possible.