Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Breastfeeding beyond Six Months

As a woman, once we hear these words “You are Pregnant”, we are filled with so much emotions; joy, fear, and anxiety. For first time mums, it is even worse. Our emotions are all over the place and we start questioning ourselves, “Will I be a good mum”? “Will I be able to raise another human”? Like seriously, asking these questions will not change the fact that we were about to bring forth a child into the world.

From pregnancy to motherhood, you learn from your own experiences and not from books or YouTube videos. That is just my opinion. There are all sorts of books on how to take care of a newborn, how to feed them, why they cry, and so on. Let me tell you something, I did not read any book but I did watch a lot of YouTube videos on giving birth, taking care of newborns, feeding, trust me, I watched them all. And I regret doing that because I became more anxious and scared. When I realized how I was feeling after watching those videos, I stopped watching. I placed all my fears and worries in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Breastfeeding is part of motherhood and we all know the importance of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and baby. For mothers, breastfeeding helps us lose weight, helps the uterus return back to pre-pregnancy state faster, builds stronger bond with our babies, saves time and money. For our babies, breast milk contains antibodies which protects against infections and allergies, easy to digest, protects against illnesses, prevents diarrhea, and improves brain development.

World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recommends mothers everywhere to breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue up to two years or beyond. With that being said, I am not sure why I was being bombarded with questions on why I was still breastfeeding my little sunshine when she turned one. As you guessed it, I breastfed my little sunshine up to one year, four months. Even before my daughter turned one, I had friends and some family members that kept asking me when I was going to stop breastfeeding. When I told them till she turns one, most screamed and looked shocked. I was not sure what the hoopla was all about. So I asked, is there a problem here? Oh yes, apparently there was. I was told breastfeeding for that long will give me sagging breasts, make my baby too dependent on me, and that breastfeeding alone was not enough for baby. To say I was baffled was an understatement. Look, some of you might not be surprised by some of these myths about breastfeeding for long. This took me by surprise because I was not expecting this type of perceptions and attitudes from Cameroonians. I am not sure if this perceptions and attitudes are a new thing in Cameroon or if it has always been in existence but I just was not aware of it. Whatever the case, I was annoyed and irritated whenever anyone asked why I was still breastfeeding.

As a first time mum, I could have easily give into pressure and stopped breastfeeding. However, as a Public Health Professional, I knew better. The frustrating part of this is that, all of this questioning and attitudes about breastfeeding for long, came from Women. Yes, our own fellow women. I quickly developed and mastered the art of hearing without listening. Yes, hearing without listening. Some people just do not know how to respect boundaries. How long I decide to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding, is my decision and no one else. I sometimes wonder if other women had to stop breastfeeding early due to pressures from their friends and families.

And this is where our partners have to step in. To our husbands, boyfriends or baby daddies, we need your support. Please support your partner’s decision on how long she decides to breastfeed. Do not join the noise makers or choir in discouraging her from breastfeeding for long if she wants to. Breastfeeding is hard and takes a toll on us. The last thing any woman wants to hear is her husband repeating all these myths from outsiders. Remember, it is your family and your partner knows what is best for your child. Trust her.

To my fellow women, especially those who had become mothers before me, be kind, be uplifting and be supportive. Just because you had children before me, does not mean you know it all. Just because you stopped breastfeeding early and fed your child a certain way, does not mean it is the right and only way. Your way is not my way. Every woman raises and feeds their children according to their own standards and not others. Stop giving me or any other woman unsolicited advice. Lastly, it is definitely safe to breastfeed during this pandemic.