Breastfeeding and the #662 Movement
It feels like an absolute eternity since I have worked with breastfeeding women, so now feels like a pretty good time to bring myself up to date with the latest research on everything breastfeeding! During my doula training I came across an amazing midwife based in Melbourne, Amberley Harris, who runs a breastfeeding consultancy — Maternal Instincts by Amberley. I am currently glued to her breastfeeding for professionals course!
Amberley has created the 662 Framework, which aims to support women to reach the 6-week milestone for breastfeeding and then to go on to exclusively breastfeed their baby until 6 months of age, and then complementary feed (a combination of solid foods and breast milk) until they are 2 years old. Amberley states that 85% of Australian mothers abandon exclusive breastfeeding before their baby is 5 months old and acknowledges that the support available on the breastfeeding journey is woefully lacking in our maternity care system.
For many women, breastfeeding does not come easily, and this can have a snowball effect of negative feelings and emotions — not to mention having to wade through a mountain of conflicting advice coming from midwives, well-meaning family and friends, and even the bloody next-door neighbour! I absolutely love this quote from Amberley:
"Breastfeeding really is a learned art…much like learning any form of artistry, it takes patience, practice and the right support."
To support yourself on your own breastfeeding journey, arm yourself with quality information during pregnancy and have a solid support network in place before the birth so that you have a trusted source of advice at your fingertips if you ever need it. My personal top tip: find a lactation consultant in your area who does home visits. So much more convenient than having to set off on a mission to a clinic appointment when all you want to do is stay in your PJs and enjoy those precious early moments with your newborn.
Through her website, Amberley offers online courses, breastfeeding support groups, and a free masterclass where she shares her top 5 tips for breastfeeding success. Head over to Maternal Instincts by Amberley for all the details.