Assertive Kids’ “Breastfeed If You Can! Challenge” Program
Goals and Outline of “Breastfeed If You Can! Challenge” Program
The Assertive Kids Foundation is updating our flagship 2022 “Breastfeed If You Can! Challenge” program for 2025.
This program exists to help encourage new lactating mothers to choose to breastfeed their babies.
This shall be accomplished by updating the Breastfeeding Challenge web page (you’re on it), educating new parents via handout info-sheets, as well as providing help to women and their families in the form of no-cost care kits.
The “Breastfeed If You Can! Challenge” Program Was Named With Great Care
The name of the program is the “Breastfeed If You Can! Challenge.”
We named the program in this way because breastfeeding, firstly, is not for all women.
For instance, some women with severe PCOS may not be able to breastfeed their infants, and that’s just one example.
And so, we begin by acknowledging that not all women can breastfeed and respect that reality.
Some New Moms Just Can’t Breastfeed!
Breastfeeding, or even supplying pumped human milk, is just not possible for some new mothers.
We acknowledge that a woman’s life situation matter, as well.
In other words, we’re not trying to guilt you into breastfeeding, or feeling badly about yourself because you cannot.
We’re not judging. And, no one else should be judging you, either.
It’s not always doable. Let’s begin there.
The Many Challenges of Breast-Feeding
Breastfeeding can be challenging, and what better way to challenge yourself than making an earnest attempt at breastfeeding, a worthy endeavor for many, many good reasons?
Breast milk is best for the baby, and when available, should be provided, considering the many proven benefits health studies have uncovered over the decades.
And, when your own breast milk isn’t available, human milk bank milk is the next-best option.
But if you have the capacity to breast feed your baby, even uf your milk hasn’t yet “come in,” you should at least think about considering giving it a shot.
You Can Breast Feed Without Any Special Stuff…But Some Products Can Help
A woman is sufficient unto herself to breastfeed without the aid of any special foods or creams or preparations.
It’s really true!
Even so, many women find that there are many modern products and traditional remedies that can help.
To that end, we sought some help getting donations from companies specializing in making things that help to make breastfeeding the most comfortable and doable.
Our care kits include a New-wirth-Tags feeding bra, nipple or belly cream, lactation cookies, and an information packet with links to important information for new parents about the benefits of breastfeeding, as well as general information on breastfeeding.
These items can help you on your journey into breastfeeding.
This program is open to all currently pregnant or postnatal women residing on Staten Island, in Northern New Jersey , or in Philadelphia.
This program is funded by Mountainside Partners, with generous product donations from Mrs. Patel’s Cookies, and Motherlove brands.
Breastfeed If You Can! Challenge™ Encourages Breast Feeding
When possible, all women should consider breastfeeding.
That means if you physically can, you should think about it, at the very least.
There are so many proven advantages to the baby’s and mom’s health that to do otherwise, when you’re able to provide milk, is probably not the best choice for most women.
In fact, choosing not to breastfeed or provide expressed or pumped milk is probably only the best choice when it’s not doable because of significant reasons in your life, whether biological or social and environmental.
It’s really that important to think about breastfeeding, then to actually give it a try! And many more tries, usually!
ALL Women Should Try Breastfeeding Their Infants!
Even trans parents should consider “chest feeding,” when possible.
This is only possible for biological females; men who get surgeries and implants and hormone therapies to appear like a woman externally who were born males cannot provide milk safely.
Unfortunately, in many instances females get gender-affirming surgeries that completely remove or destroy their breast tissues.
And so, even if they have a baby or their woman-partner has a baby, they cannot even think about breast feeding the baby.
That is one significant side-effect of a woman having breast reduction or removal surgeries to appear more masculine. This is often the case for people with diagnosed Gender Dysphoria Disorder, though people having had these surgeries are quite few and far between.
Breastfeed with Confidence! There’s Nothing to Fear!
There’s nothing to fear, as breastfeeding is a natural process. Keep in mind, however, that natural does not mean automatic.
Many new Moms give up, thinking, “Maybe some women can, but I can’t!” just because they are encountering difficulties or someone’s feeding them discouraging words.
But there IS hope!
Never give up!
And, if you must give up, because of a good reason, such as medical cause or something else, a reason that you, yourself, respect and acknowledged as valid, then feel no guilt.
And, don’t allow anyone, anywhere, to try putting guilt on you for your choices.
Most Woman Can Provide Sufficient Milk
When is it truly not possible to breastfeed? There are instances for some women in the postpartum phase that make breastfeeding impossible, due to serious health issues, contraindicated medications, physical differences, or past surgeries. But for the vast majority of women, breastfeeding IS possible!
New Moms may be concerned because of the pain. Really, though, with a proper latch and good positioning, breastfeeding should not hurt, even for a minute!
New Moms might also be concerned because their “milk isn’t coming in,” or worry that they won’t ever produce sufficient milk because their own mother and/or sisters did not breastfeed due to “insufficient milk.”
However, neither of these reasons really mean they cannot provide milk. A registered Lactation Consultant or peer counselor can help with milk production issues, and most are covered by insurance plans, and can even be found providing free services at WIC centers.
Breastfeeding: A Worthwhile Challenge
When it’s not impossible, but rather just a matter of receiving qualified help to assist with issues, new Moms should always opt to breastfeed. It doesn’t matter if the new parent is terribly stressed, eating an imperfect diet, or even smoking. The mother’s milk will be infinitely more helpful to the growing baby than infant formula alone ever could be, even in those cases.
Choosing not to breastfeed, when it’s simply a challenge, and NOT actually impossible, is probably not the best choice for mother and baby, in most instances.
If breastfeeding’s not working so well, a new parent can be comforted knowing that most new Moms experience difficulties. However, for many women, it’s just a matter of getting the hang of it.
Breastfeeding is a skill set that must be learned; it’s not instinct for us humans.
Therefore, there’s a lot to know. This knowledge was handed down through generations. And, in the modern era, a good deal of research has been conducted on breastfeeding, by groups like the Healthy Children Project, the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, and others.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding provides a plethora of benefits to both nursing parent and baby! There are tons of scientific studies proving this; it’s not just an assertion based on opinion. Whether it’s milk from a new Mom, her wife, or even someone no longer identifying as a woman, it’s all good! And, hand expressed, or pumped, human milk is still incredible.
For instance, did you know that mothers who breastfeed have lower incidence of certain cancers? Or, that milk has special oligosaccharides that encourage the growth of a beneficial microbiome in the intestines? The benefits are real, and the research is there backing this all up.
Exclusive Breastfeeding: How Will I Make Enough Milk?
Exclusive breastfeeding has a number of health benefits. While Infant Formula can be used either alone, or in combination with breast milk, many studies have show the most benefit is derived from feeding your baby exclusively with breast milk.
If you’re having trouble keeping up, learn what you need to, either on your own, or with the aid of a Lactation Specialist. It’s worth it, and your baby’s health will, statistically speaking, benefit from this.