Human Milk Substitute Shortages Are Stressing Parents Out - What Can You Do to Help?

By: Sharon Muza, BS, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), CLE | 0 Comments

Currently, the families in your childbirth classes may have more anxiety and concerns around lactation and infant feeding than the typical level of nerves and questions you are accustomed to. The United States is currently experiencing a human milk substitute shortage that is increasing stress and worry amongst those who are still pregnant about what they will face after their babies are born. Some families are planning to bodyfeed their infants. Others may be choosing a mixture of human milk substitutes along with their own milk and a third group may not be planning to provide human milk at all but rather rely on purchased human milk substitutes. Regardless of what their intentions are, families are concerned about not being able to provide adequate and appropriate nutrition for their newborn when they arrive and what alternatives will be for their babies. News headlines, social media channels and communities of parents everywhere make it impossible to ignore the elephant in the room when you gather with your classes.

As perinatal professionals, it is our responsibility to provide accurate, evidence-based information, support parents’ choices and offer resources that can help them to navigate these rocky times. Here are some way that we can help:

Help families to recognize the potential impact of labor and birth decisions on their feeding choices. Share how to mitigate the impact of any intrapartum choices on their feeding plans. Encourage them to choose a facility and provider that are supportive of their feeding goals.
Deliver bodyfeeding information in an effective and engaging manner that makes it easy for families to recall information weeks later when they have their newborn in their arms.
Inform parents about the importance of moving milk early and often and to talk to their provider about prenatal colostrum expression and collection.
Encourage the pregnant person to identify personal and professional support for their feeding goals in advance, so that they can connect and receive support if needed as soon as the baby arrives.
Suggest people who have had prior breast/chest surgery or who have not observed the typical breast/chest changes during pregnancy, have a prenatal consultation with a qualified lactation professional.
Have a comprehensive feeding resource list that you distribute to all families. It should include certified lactation consultants, bodyfeeding knowledgeable physicians, midwives, postpartum doulas, pump rental and retail outlets, peer to peer support groups and more.
Be an available, compassionate listener, as parents express their concerns and fears about the potential for feeding challenges that may arise after they birth their babies.
Provide best practice guidelines on human milk sharing