SASKATOON – Parenthood and child rearing is an age old discussion with many opinions as to what’s right and what’s wrong.
Breastfeeding is among the top pressures.
When two-month-old Baron’s stomach rumbles, like any good parent, Brianna Hammond anxiously feeds him. She feeds him with a bottle while 95 per cent of mothers in the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) breastfeed.
“I’m always worried that people will see me as being selfish. You know, oh she couldn’t put up with the pain” said Hammond.
Hammond had breast reduction surgery years ago. It’s unknown if this is why breastfeeding is excruciating for her but it was unbearable. She now uses a 50/50 approach.
“We’re feeding him 50 per cent formula and 50 per cent donated breast milk” said Hammond.
The milk comes from a growing Facebook page called Human Milk 4 Human Babies. Through the page, Hammond has linked up with mothers who donate their milk to parents who can’t, or choose not to breastfeed.
Unlike our neighbouring province of Alberta, Saskatchewan doesn’t have a regulated milk bank. The provincial government is aware of the unregulated milk exchanges that are taking place.
“If a healthy mom with a healthy baby is unable to establish breast feeding, then formula is the next best thing,” cautions Denise Werker, provincial deputy medical health officer.
“As opposed to sharing unsafe breast milk.”
However, the province has not established a breast milk bank and doesn’t plan to spearhead the initiative. The provincial government says it would support a regulated milk bank but is waiting for interested non-profit groups, that are advocating for a bank, to present a business plan.
Hammond is aware of the risks of acquiring unscreened milk through the Facebook page. She does request blood work from donors but judgements remain.
“People want you to breast feed, they don’t want you to formula feed but when you have to find a middle ground and do half and half like we’re doing, they’re not really happy with that either,” said Hammond.
Bottle feeding moms are up against a heap of statistics.
“With formula feeding, there are risks of increased cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity” states Martha Neovard, a certified lactation educator.
Breastfeeding pressures can leave bottle feeding mothers feeling sub par and judged.
Ultimately, Hammond is satisfied with her 50/50 approach.
“You have to do what feels right for you” she said and a mother’s instinct is best.
Baron is happy, healthy and growing, proving they’ve found the ‘feeding formula’ that’s right for them.
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