Abstract
Wasn’t it wonderful to watch the talented athletes from all around the globe at the recent 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics? All of the participants were so inspiring, and yet in their brief performances, we saw only the culmination of hard work and training that brought them there.
I wonder if sometimes our families think breastfeeding is like a competitive sport? It certainly requires dedication, lots of practice and time, and benefits from coaches and supportive persons in their corner. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) members often find themselves functioning in the role of coaches, as we train and support our breastfeeding families, and teach our colleagues to do the same.
When we think about breastfeeding through the lens of a life-course perspective, we might be reminded of Olympic training. The antenatal individual is guided to optimal health through proper nutrition and exercise, and counseled about breast growth and maturation even as a young child, for the purpose of nourishing another. The coaching staff at this early stage may be pediatric, family medicine, general practice physicians, and ancillary staff. In some areas, knowledge is shared through school curricula, 1 to normalize breastfeeding as the physiological norm for infant feeding.
In the prenatal stage, pregnant individuals access health care at multiple time points, and integrate “training” from their obstetrical providers, midwives, and sometimes group classes like CenteringPregnancy. 2 Parents may have doulas, community health workers, and peer supporters preparing them for the birth and the provision of human milk. 3 All of these persons are a part of the coaching staff for new families.
In the perinatal stage, the delivery process itself may feel like a short event, like the snowboard jumps—intense and then success by crossing the finish line, or a longer slog like the biathlon with multiple stops and starts, and a long race ahead. Along the way, Olympic athletes and birthing families receive support, coaching, and cheers from the surrounding crowd. Crossing the finish line is a time for joy, even when it doesn’t always go as planned, because it brings the baby!
For the postnatal stage, the newborn period reminds me of the Nordic Combined Team Sprint. One race I watched occurred during quite a snowfall. No matter the challenges of the race, the athletes powered through, just like our newborn parents with babies who are nursing frequently 24 × 7 in the first weeks of life. Teamwork for families is so important at this stage to provide support, allow parents to rest (a little), and take care of other household duties. In this case, breastfeeding is much more of a long-distance event than a sprint.
What about specific Olympic skills? When we think about “the latch,” this really is all about positioning, timing, and training. The Ski Mountaineering race reminded me of latch through its obstacle course design. The athletes had to line up correctly to switch from skis to boots (and back again) with proper timing, to meet their goals for the race. Any nursing parent knows the importance of skills to line up nipple to nose, wide open gape, and chin first hug to attain a deep, effective, and pain-free latch. 4
Other Olympics images that reminded me of breastfeeding were: the global aspect of cultural respect in all events; prayers for success; falling down and getting up again; sharing joy with family, coaches, and friends; and the really strong emotions when the race was over, especially if a medal was won.
There were sad times too, when the race/jump/hurl didn’t go as planned. Some families don’t get to experience the breastfeeding journey they anticipated, despite hard work, training, and good coaching. In these circumstances, both at the Olympics and in the family, the support team provides comfort and encouragement, no matter the outcome. Every drop counts.
Pure Olympic-level joy—that’s what we want our families to experience as they go through the breastfeeding experience. When I watched some events, especially the figure skating, it brought tears to my eyes. Talented athletes bring beauty to their sport, making it look sometimes effortless when the skill is anything but… Similarly, when I help a family with breastfeeding, working on the dyadic dance of latching, suckling, milk transfer, to satiation, I sometimes also have tears in my eyes, especially if it is the first time the family has had success. Whether in an Olympic stadium or an exam room, or in the privacy of a family home, these moments are precious. I’m so thankful and honored that we are coaches and part of the team for families. What a privilege to help them win the “Liquid Gold” medal.