Breastfeeding Takes a Village: How We Can Support Moms
- Bridgette Matthewson
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Breastfeeding is often described as natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week focuses on the theme: “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” . It's a reminder that successful breastfeeding isn't just about determination or desire. Rather, it’s about the environment that surrounds a mother - at home, at work and in the community.
If we want more babies to receive the lifelong benefits of breastfeeding, we need to shift our focus on the moms from “How can she manage?” to “How can we help?”
Why Support Matters
Breastfeeding has countless benefits: from immune support for the baby to reduced health risks for moms. But despite this, many mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they’d like - often because the support is simply not there. Support matters because it builds a mother’s confidence, reduces feelings of isolation and helps her navigate challenges - all of which contribute to better outcomes for both the mother and baby.
Challenges like returning to work, limited time or space to express milk, public stigma or simply feeling isolated can quickly overwhelm a new mom.
The good news? There are real, actionable ways we can all help.
Support Starts at Home
Partners play a crucial role in breastfeeding success - their emotional and practical support can be a game-changer. Here’s how they can help:
Encourage and reassure the mother, especially during tough moments.
Share night duties - whether it’s nappy changes or bottle-feeding expressed milk.
Help with household tasks to ease her physical and mental load.
Be informed - learn about breastfeeding to better understand what she’s experiencing and see how you can help.
Wider family members can also make a meaningful difference by creating an understanding environment. When moms feel supported by their partners and their families, they’re more likely to feel confident, less overwhelmed and better able to continue breastfeeding for longer.
The Workplace Makes a Difference
For moms returning to work, the transition can be a major challenge. Without the right setup, maintaining breastfeeding or expressing milk can feel impossible. Employers can help by:
Providing private, hygienic spaces for expressing milk (not the bathroom!).
Allowing flexible breaks for pumping.
Educating managers and HR about the needs of breastfeeding employees, to create a supportive culture where breastfeeding isn’t something to be hidden or rushed.
If you're a mom preparing to go back to work, here are a few tips to help ease the shift:
Talk to your employer early about your needs.
Start expressing milk a few weeks before returning to build a small freezer stash.
Practice bottle or cup-feeding with your baby, based on their typical feeding times, to help them adjust before returning to work.
Get familiar with your pump or hand expressing.
Empowering as a Community
Beyond home and work, the wider community also shapes a mom’s breastfeeding journey. We can all help by:
Normalising breastfeeding in public - no judgment.
Promoting breastfeeding-friendly spaces, particularly in cafés and restaurants.
Supporting local groups or lactation consultants where moms can find connection and guidance.
Improving breastfeeding knowledge and educating others, whether it’s your friend, neighbour or family.
Breastfeeding may start with one mom and one baby - but it takes a village to sustain. Whether you’re a partner, employer, friend or stranger on the street, your support matters.
This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s not just celebrate breastfeeding - let’s actively prioritise the systems and people that make it possible, remembering that when we support moms we nourish a healthier future for everyone.
Need guidance on your breastfeeding or postnatal nutrition journey? Let’s chat - dietitian support can make all the difference.
We have branches in Lonehill, at Concourse Medical Centre, and in Broadacres, at The Paddock Medical Centre.
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