[url=http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=104777&article=8925378'>In the news[/url'> today: "Only 4 percent of U.S. hospitals provide the full range of support needed to facilitate breastfeeding for new mothers, federal health officials say." The situation is similar here in the UAE, and most mums do not get the help, information and support to enable them to breastfeed successfully if they so wish. Time and time again we see mums let down by the system, and so much needs to be done to ensure that *every* mother has access to skilled, supportive help.
In the meantime, please don't forget that there are trained breastfeeding counsellors with voluntary breastfeeding organisations in Fujairah and Dubai, and professional certified lactation consultants in Sharjah (free in the govt sector), Dubai & Abu Dhabi (private sector).
Breastfeeding is natural but not instinctual. We learn to breastfeed by seeing it happen around us, which doesn't happen too often these days and few of us are lucky enough to have grown up seeing our family and friends breastfeed or to have experienced friends and family to help out when breastfeeding doesn't always go according to plan. If you're struggling with breastfeeding, please please ask for help. Ask here on EW, ask in the peer groups, ask the voluntary counsellors or the lactation consultants, but please don't suffer in silence or give up if you don't want to. You and your child both deserve all the help and support you can get.
.png "Interview With Expat Saanika Gandhi, Author of Children's Book 'The Yellow Kite'")
