Although the multiple benefits of breastfeeding a baby are more than proven, many people still criticize or point to nursing mothers. Regularly what they receive are comments questioning their decision or implying that breastfeeding is already an exaggeration, especially in the case of those who have prolonged breastfeeding.
That's why Pilar Martínez, a lactation consultant and the blogger behind Maternidad Continuum, He came up with a fun way to handle this situation: with a "Bingo for nursing mothers".
Breastfeeding, something that many feel entitled to say
Now that the Christmas holidays are approaching, family reunions are the time when we met a lot with some members who had no time to see or with whom we have not lived much in the day to day. This type of meeting is when some mothers They are in a somewhat awkward situation: family members or acquaintances who ask questions about their upbringing.
Comments can range from genuine doubts to signs about things that should change, what we know as "unsolicited advice" and which rain to women when we become mothers.
In the case of mothers who breastfeed, It is almost certain that someone will comment on your breastfeeding, especially to those mothers who have decided to continue breastfeeding beyond the minimum six months of exclusive breastfeeding, although it is well known that the World Health Organization recommends that it be at least two years.
Bingo for nursing mothers
These moments are usually uncomfortable for breastfeeding mothers, so Pilar Martínez, the mother behind the Maternity Continuum blog He came up with something to make it more bearable: see it with humor and in passing, turn the tortilla.
For this you have created a "Bingo for nursing mothers", something very similar to bingo that we all know, in which it included 33 typical comments that people usually make to mothers who breastfeed. The idea is that instead of feeling uncomfortable with those comments, let's take it with humor and we eat a piece of nougat every time someone mentions any of the ones that come in the bingo that Pilar has made.
In it we can find doubts like: Do you want a tit again? Not too old to drink a tit? And you don't give him real food?, even inappropriate comments such as: That is already water. This child has vice. He doesn't take anything, he uses you as a pacifier. You will pass to your girlfriend's tit. Some may not believe it, but these are real comments that many nursing mothers have received.
Don't give explanations, just have fun
It is true that the best we can do is inform and explain to others the benefits of breastfeeding, but the truth is that in many cases, people are already clinging to an idea and it will be very difficult to change it unless we load everywhere with studies and articles that support and support our decision.
I am of the idea that Christmas is a time to enjoy and not to spend giving explanations, so let's take a deep breath and be aware that we are most likely to receive one of these comments. Let's do our best to take things with humor and don't let the comments of others ruin a family celebration.
Think about this: the best thing will be that while they make their unsolicited comments, you can be dodging nougat (or whatever you like!) and laughing to yourself. Laughter is the cure for many evils and difficult times are more bearable when we take them with a sense of humor.
As Pilar says, transform an awkward moment into a humorous situation, and if you join, use the hashtag #Bingodelactancia, so that other mothers can laugh with you and that this possible bad moment becomes an act of complicity among nursing mothers. What does the idea sound like?
You can download the "Bingo for nursing mothers"in PDF to print and take it to the next Christmas dinner here.
Photos | iStock
More information | Maternity Continuum
In Babies and more | The difficulties of prolonged breastfeeding, A video shows us that not only strangers humiliate us for breastfeeding in public, who supports and who criticizes prolonged breastfeeding?
