On the podcast this week, I am joined by special guest Dr Lesley Dornan, who is a Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Ulster. Lesley’s background is in breastfeeding and child and maternal health and she spent ten years overseas in South East Asia studying and working. Her PhD centred on breastfeeding, motivation, and culture.
I first came in contact with Lesley when I attended a talk she did at the start of 2020. The talk was entitled ‘Why women don’t breastfeed’ and it looked at the idea that women don’t breastfeed, cultures do.
I found Lesley’s talk fascinating and so I was delighted when she agreed to come on this podcast and talk more about her specialist subject!
Lesley's big talking points:
Cultural differences in how breastfeeding is looked upon and treated in Thailand Vs the UK
The big differences between breastfeeding rates in Thailand and the UK
The meaning and significance of mothers' 'milk debt' in Thai culture.
How the expectations and goals women set themselves affect their decision to continue to breastfeed
The important role a partner plays in breastfeeding and how they can bond with a breastfed baby
Knowing when to ask for help if breastfeeding gets tough
"The resilience of mums is incredible...and regardless of whether you achieve all your breastfeeding goals or not - to start and explore it and to take that risk, celebrate that. Celebrate your choices and your achievements. None of us are perfect mums and so none of us are going to be perfect breastfeeding mums."
Dr Lesley Dornan
Sources
Breastfeeding, motivation and culture: an exploration of maternal influences within midwife-led instruction in an Asian setting - research study by Lesley Dornan et al.
Feasibility study to test Designer Breastfeeding™: a randomised controlled trial - research study by Janine Stockdale et al.
Breastfeeding rates in Thailand - WHO
Breastfeeding rates in the UK - WHO
