Dear List
While I was up at 0400 working on my research
because I could not sleep, I started wondering about breastfeeding, why we do,
why we don't and all the other myriad reasons and influences there are that
contribute to the difficulties in increasing our breastfeeding rates. Anyway,
one of the things that popped into my mind was skin to skin contact after
birth and the baby finding it's way to the breast if given the time and
opportunity. Then I thought about how not many children these days even know
what breastfeeding is etc.etc. Then I thought about the advert on
breastfeeding not being allowed to be screened in prime time because of the PG
rating.
Anyway, the idea that popped into my head
was, what if a calendar was produced with
January: photo of initial skin to skin
contact after birth
February: baby finding it's way to the breast
and latching on - with a caption to explain
March: Family photo with siblings and
possibly grandparents and new baby feeding after birth
April: May: June; other photo's of
breastfeeding in different scenarios, even to toddlers and older children.
The exposure doesn't sound much until you
think of where you could use them. Kindergartens, and Primary school
classrooms, so that children become used to the idea of seeing a baby on the
breast. On the back of your toilet door. Remember how you read anything that
is going when you go to the toilet!! I am sure many of you will have better
idea's than that, but I had to put this thought down before it
disappeared.
Would be interested to hear if anyone has
done something like this already?
Sheena Johnson
