The mothers with autism they receive breastfeeding support from midwives and health professionals that is often not adequate for their needs. To declare it is a new review of the Swansea Universityin partnership with the University of Kent and a non-profit organization, Autistic UK.
The results of the review have been published in the dedicated scientific journal Autism.
Mothers with autism: why breastfeeding support is not satisfactory
The review studied the experiences of over 300 mothers with autism and was captained by the doctor Aimee Grant of the Center for Lactation, Infant Feeding and Translational Research (LIFT) of the University of Swansea. Grant revealed that maternity and infant feeding support services were based on lack of understanding needs of mothers with autism and were often inaccessible during the first stage when, like most parents, they already felt overwhelmed.
The new study found that many mothers with autism had done a lot of research on breastfeeding and were highly motivated to breastfeed their babies. While a minority of mothers reported positive breastfeeding experiences, for the most part, they experienced common difficulties, compounded by differences in how they experienced pain and body sensations, exacerbated by lack of support.
This made breastfeeding very difficult for most and impossible for others. Feeding infant formula gave the feeling of not feeding babies right, but a minority of mothers found solace in the ritual of making infant formula bottles.
Grant said: “It is widely recognized that breastfeeding support in the NHS is woefully inadequate. Due to severe underfunding and a shortage of over 2,000 midwives, it is not possible for most mothers to receive the support they need to achieve their breastfeeding goals. “
“We know that younger, low-income mothers in the UK tend to breastfeed less, but there is less recognition of factors such as neurodivergence.This review highlighted that there is an urgent need for maternity and maternity services. infant feeding to meet the needs of mothers with autism “, Grant continued.
The review concluded with some recommendations addressed to healthcare professionals:
•Communication should be clear, direct, specific and followed;
• Written information;
• Mothers should not be touched, for example during breastfeeding demonstration;
• Staff should receive training related to autism spectrum disorder, which is specific to infant feeding that can be tailored to the individual needs of each mother with autism;
• mothers with autism should have a single health care professional (“continuity of caregiver”) to provide support for maternity and infant feeding, to avoid having to repeat their needs to new staff members;
• Guidance on communication and sensory needs should be included in maternity notes.
Kathryn Williamsnon-executive director and head of research at Autistic UK, said: “The work we do at Autistic UK has highlighted the disparity in access to healthcare for adults with autism. This mirrors research findings indicating that attention to the improvement of autistic adults access to healthcare is essential and we are encouraged by the Oliver McGowan Compulsory Training in Learning Disability and Autism pilot project in England“.
“We are also starting to work with the Welsh National Health Service Councils to implement the code of conduct for the provision of services for autism and welcome mandatory training in England and Wales for all healthcare professionals“, Concluded the expert.
The importance of supporting a mother with autism during such a delicate and complex period as the breastfeeding phase must never be overlooked by the National Health Service. Training adequate personnel both in terms of preparation and in terms of sensitivity in caring for a woman with autism who is approaching the experience of motherhood, is a point that cannot be ignored.
Autism is a neurodiversity that needs to be treated with the right tools. The new review has highlighted that the NHS is lacking in these tools, underlining how long there is still the road to not only social inclusion, but also from a health point of view which is the litmus test of how they are perceived and consequently treated. neurodiversity.
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