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Home › Expert Q&A › Breastfeeding Basics › Social and Legal Issues › What kind of support and information do teenagers need to breastfeed successfully?

Expert Q&A

 

By Mary Kay Smith
IBCLC, Lactation Consultant

I volunteer at a clinic for pregnant teenagers. It doesn't seem like many of them plan to breastfeed their babies. How can I help them to consider breastfeeding their babies and be successful doing it?

Breastfeeding and Teens: How are their needs different from other new mothers?

Even though current statistics say that the number of teen pregnancies are declining (1996 rate: 98.7 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years, down from 116.5 in 1991 -- a 15 percent decrease), we still see many young ladies who choose to continue a pregnancy and parent their child. Teen pregnancy affects about 1 million young ladies per year and approximately 70 percent of them do not receive adequate prenatal care.

Teen pregnancies have a higher rate of anemia and pregnancy induced hypertension. Babies are more likely to be born prematurely and/or suffer low birth weight. Some of these problems are based on the teen's physical immaturity and her own nutritional status. Pregnant teens may deny their condition or ignore it, thus posing greater risks to the growing baby insider them.

Current statistics on teens and breastfeeding address the age group of ""less than 20 years of age."" That age group, according to the latest research (""The Resurgence of Breastfeeding in the United States,"" A. Ryan, Pediatrics Vol. 99, No. 4, April 97) shows a 41.7 percent increase in that age group's breastfeeding practices from 1989 to 1996. (1996 rate: 30.2 percent compared to the 1989 rate of 42.8 percent.) Unfortunately that number drops at six months to 9.1 percent still breastfeeding in 1996 (compared to 5.6 percent in 1989).

Based on the mother's age, there are three distinct developmental stages which influence learning styles and attitudes along with perceptions of mothering and parenting. Usually if a young lady is able to conceive a baby and carry a pregnancy, her body will be mature enough to produce milk. It is true that she may need additional nutritional stores for pregnancy and postpartum (milk production).

Mothering and nurturing can be difficult for teens as they are focused on their body image and seek peer acceptance above all else. They are striving for independence, however and may benefit by knowing that breastfeeding will make their baby ""all theirs."" Help them develop a support system that will support breastfeeding. A teen may feel isolated and abandoned by her friends after the excitement of pregnancy and the baby's birth.

Some ideas for all age groups:

  • Stress the positive aspects of breastfeeding; that it can be fun for mother and baby, that they will gain the recognition of health care providers by giving their baby the BEST infant food, and that they will feel loved.
  • Help them to set achievable and realistic goals.
  • Let them know that breastfeeding CAN fit into their life.
  • Connect any feeding information with parenting information. They need to know that there are biological reasons to breastfeed.
  • Let them know that dad is important and can be involved with a breastfed baby. A supportive partner can make or break a successful experience.
  • Body image is VERY important to any age group. Explain all body changes. Let them know breastfeeding moms will get back into shape faster and that breasts sag because of the increase in size during pregnancy, not from breastfeeding.
  • Frequent contact is important in the early postpartum; however, ask permission before calling to follow up.
  • Many teens are uncomfortable about their sexuality and feel that breastfeeding may cause ""sexual"" feelings. They may be embarrassed about breastfeeding and wonder how they will feed the baby when their friends or family are present. It can be helpful to use photos and videos which show discrete nursing.
  • Don't assume that they will understand the terminology or biological concepts about breastfeeding that an older mother would. Keep visual aids or handouts simple and geared to a fifth or sixth grade reading level.

Very young teens (up to age 14) still need to complete the developmental tasks of adolescence. This age group may have problems identifying their baby's needs because they are focused on learning about themselves. They are very ""rule"" oriented and think concretely. Use simple language and focus on the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother. In this age group, milk production may be related to the quantity of calories she consumes, not the quality of the food. Make breastfeeding easy and understandable for this age group. Use short lessons with simple steps and focus on the present.

Middle teens (15-17) are still immature in terms of personal identity. They frequently rebel against adults and will identify strongly with their peers. It might be helpful to find other teen moms to connect with. Videos can influence this age group as well as ""role-playing."" They may feel very frustrated when unable to soothe a fussy baby. Barriers to breastfeeding in this group are embarrassment and resistance to adult suggestions. There also may be some ""risky"" behavior in this age group, due to the influences of peers. Point out that breastfeeding is one thing that only she can do for this baby.

Older teens (ages 18-20) are usually capable of some abstract decision-making and capable of problems solving. This age group may be able to focus on baby benefits as well as mother-related benefits. They are striving for independence and may be encountering resistance from the baby's grandmother who may think that they ""can do a better job with this baby."" It may be helpful to talk to mom and grandmother separately in this situation. Address their lifestyle questions and facilitate problem solving skills.

Breastfeeding can allow teens of this age group (and any age group) to feel successful and demonstrate a sense of responsibility. Teens want to be loved and give love. They should know that breastfeeding mothers and their babies feel a special closeness and love for each other. This makes the mother more special to the baby than any other caregiver. When working with teens, we need to remember to be flexible and open. We also need to rejoice for them that they are interested in providing something extra special for their baby.

Some resources you may want to use when working with teen moms are:

Lactation consultant Mary Kay Smith had her first child when she was 17.

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