For breastfeeding mothers living in rural areas, it is often difficult to find appropriate breastfeeding and lactation resources, as they may be few and far between. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants in rural areas are less likely to ever breastfeed than infants living in urban areas.
Emma, a new mother of a baby boy, lives in a rural area where the nearest town with health care is over an hour away. Even by phone, it was difficult to reach her provider’s office. She was determined to give her son the best, including breastfeeding. However, she was concerned about managing postpartum anxiety and depression. She wasn’t sure where to find out if her medication was something she could take while breastfeeding – which made her even more worried! Emma faced some common challenges living in a rural area:
- Travel Hurdles – Emma struggled with general concerns about breastfeeding and medication, all while managing the demands of a newborn. traveling long distances for a date was not only exhausting, but also not ideal.
- Limited Local Support – The town of Emma did not have specialist breastfeeding support services. The nearest support group was a two-hour drive away, making it difficult for Emma to access help when she needed it most.
- Limited resources – Finding reliable information about breastfeeding was another challenge. Emma felt isolated and wasn’t sure where to turn for accurate information.
One day, while searching the Internet for answers and discovering mixed information about the medications she wanted to start, Emma discovered MotherToBaby. Intrigued by our expert support that was available remotely and directly, she explored our newsletters, blogs and podcasts covering a range of breastfeeding topics. After reviewing our website, he was delighted to see our live chat service!
During our discussion, we addressed Emma’s concerns about breastfeeding while taking her medication to treat postpartum anxiety and depression. We were also able to discuss vaccine recommendations while breastfeeding (such as updated COVID-19 and flu shots. We also answered her questions about cold medications by referring her to our specialty blog. She was very relieved to be connected to someone so quickly and get accurate information on the spot.
The flexibility of MotherToBaby’s online services was also a game changer for Emma. Now she could access information at times that suited her schedule, as she could also use the text, email or phone service. This was especially important for Emma as her days were unpredictable and often included late night feedings and other unexpected moments!
MotherToBaby referred Emma to online breastfeeding resources and support groups. Working with other breastfeeding parents and experts on an online platform can provide her with emotional support and encouragement. Sharing experiences and hearing from others who have faced similar challenges can also help Emma feel less alone and more empowered in her breastfeeding journey. Engaging with the online community and support may provide Emma with a sense of connection and support that was missing in her rural area, which may help her navigate the ups and downs of breastfeeding more easily.
Mental health support was also very important to Emma because she lacked it in her everyday life. Resources like Postpartum Support International (PSI) and the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline they are now tools that Emma has to support her along the way.
With documented information about her medications and referrals to the appropriate resources, Emma felt much more reassured about treating her anxiety and depression while breastfeeding. She felt more informed and ready to continue caring for herself and her newborn. The convenience of online support and training reduced much of the stress she felt. She could now focus more on bonding with her baby, knowing she can reach out to MotherToBaby if she has more questions or concerns about medications or exposures while breastfeeding.
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