Axios’ Post

It’s #WorldBreastfeedingWeek — a good time to remind working moms (and everyone else): 🤱Yes, exclusively breastfeeding is amazing and “natural.” But it can be the Hardest Thing Ever or Physically Impossible. Especially if you don't have adequate parental leave. For the mom, it often comes with sore or bleeding nipples, difficulty getting a proper latch, the risk of clogged milk ducts, round-the-clock feedings during infant growth spurts, mood swings and intense hunger, endless cleaning and sterilizing of bottles and pumps, and feeling the weight of engorged breasts that can wake you up when you already have chronic sleep deprivation. 🧠 Meanwhile, research finds that the pressure to be "good at breastfeeding" can tank your mental health. That’s not good for you or your baby. 🍼 Why it matters: Pediatric nutrition experts say that infant formula is safe, effective and essential for many families. 📊 By the numbers: Only 28% of babies born in 2022 were exclusively breastfed for six months, per the latest CDC data. But a growing number of families are embracing combo feeding (formula and breast milk), which offers some immune benefits for baby, while easing the pressure on mom. 👋 I hope some of this resonates. My son is about to turn one, so clearly postpartum health is top of mind for me and my reporting. Read more over at Axios. https://lnkd.in/gdxgcSvK