Thread by @DrJusticeReilly

We need to end the narrative that breastfeeding depletes mothers. 

Breastfeeding reduces post partum haemorrhage, postnatal depression, heart attacks, strokes, dementia, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and autoimmune disease.  It's a sound investment and one most families want.

Instead we should focus attention on the midwifery crisis, overstretched GPs and health visitors, the determinants of birth trauma, gender based violence, a paternalistic medical culture, a lack of fully funded maternity leave, health and social inequality, systemic racism,

lack of flexible working, lack of high quality affordable childcare,barriers to parental leave, a gender pay gap, fuel poverty, formula poverty, food insecurity AND a society that doesn't value the caregiving that only they can give.

These are the things that are picking us apart piece by piece. 

The pressure we put on mothers and birthing people starts well before, and persists long after we try to feed our babies.  Support parents, and we support public health and a better society overall.

#healthinequality #midwiferycrisis #breastfeeding #maternalmentalhealth #genderpaygap #maternityleave #butnotmaternity #flexibleworking #fivexmore