It's not every day that the United Nations urges moms to post more breastfeeding pictures to social media, yet that day has arrived.
At a recent briefing in Geneva, World Health Organization spokeswoman Fadela Chaib spoke out in favor of the mighty 'Brelfie', stating that "it's absolutely to be encouraged."
The practice has been dubbed by many as a "social media trend," but whatever the label, the name or the assumption, one thing is certain: Brelfies carry the potential for much-needed positive change...
7 Powers of the Mighty Brelfie:
- Brelfies break the stigma about breastfeeding in public.
- Brelfies spread the word about the importance of breast milk.
- Sharing our Brelfies unites women, regardless of location.
- Brelfies empower mothers to trust in their bodies and their babies.
- Brelfies remove the taboo from the act of nourishing our children.
- The natural variation of each unique Brelfie proves that there is no singular, one way to breastfeed.
- Simply, Brelfies celebrate motherhood.
This statement comes shortly after UNICEF issued a press release highlighting the importance of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. When asked about the Brelfie 'trend', UNICEF said:
"The United Nations wants to get people talking about breastfeeding, to improve infant nutrition around the world. Everything that can be done should be done." (Christophe Boulierac, UNICEF spokesperson.)
Get people talking about breastfeeding...such a simple yet crucial concept and one that -- thankfully -- hasn't been overlooked by our healthcare professionals, as shown in Lansinoh's 2016 Global Breastfeeding Survey results. According to the survey, which canvassed the opinions of healthcare providers working in both prenatal and postnatal care, a whopping 81% suggest that moms should be talking about breastfeeding with their providers well in advance of their due dates.
It seems that the medical world is in agreement; the more we talk about breastfeeding and share our precious nursing pictures, the more accessible breastfeeding becomes, not only for ourselves, but also as a ripple effect for mothers across the globe.
For moms, the message seems crystal clear...
Let's normalize the normal together.
Let's support one another along our nursing journeys.
Let's share our breastfeeding pictures with pride.
The Mama Bean Facebook page is a Brelfie-sharing paradise -- join the community and share your picture here.
Related article: Why UNICEF wants all Babies to Breastfeed within an Hour of Birth
A version of this post originally appeared on Mama Bean Parenting.