494 | Andrea, insufficient glandular tissue, IGT, breastfeeding hypoplasia, triple-feeding, tongue tie, lactation consultant, formula feeding, maternal mental health

Australian Birth Stories

You can listen to Andrea’s birth stories in episode 312 and today, she shares her incredibly informed story about breastfeeding hypoplasia, also known as Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT). As she says, it’s a story about what happens when breastfeeding doesn’t happen. Her journey highlights the polarity between breastfeeding and formula feeding, the judgement when you choose not to breastfeed (or can’t breastfeed) and the lack of lactation and social support for all mothers in postpartum and how this informs and influences feeding choices. Her experience also reflects the data: there is a strong link between inability to breastfeed and perinatal anxiety and depression. Andrea is also the editor of our postpartum book and has been a vital part of ensuring we talk about infant feeding objectively and with awareness of all experiences.

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