Breastfeeding rates have dropped to an alarming 1% in some developed countries, while, on average, 80% of mothers are forced to stop breastfeeding before they are ready.
Why?
“Flow” investigates the growing statistics of conflicting advice and misinformation given to women and their partners in hospitals worldwide. It explores the fundamental human right for women to breastfeed their babies, investigating what has led society to turn a naturally beautiful experience into a painful trauma for a growing number of women.
In this seminal documentary we follow Dr Robyn Thompson OAM (now age 80), who has dedicated her entire working life to help breastfeeding mothers and their babies. She has worked with thousands of women with a wide range of breastfeeding complications, some within hours or days of being discharged from hospital.
With over 50 years of midwifery and breastfeeding expertise, a PhD in nipple trauma and formally registered as helping over 44,000 mothers and professionals globally, Dr Robyn is recognised as a worldwide leader in this field.
We follow her as she speaks with women from London, where the breastfeeding rates are lowest, to Vanuatu, where they are the highest globally.
She also speaks with indigenous women in remote Australian communities, sharing how breastfeeding has impacted their lives.
Dr Robyn has witnessed the extreme stress babies and mothers go through when there are complications. Nipple pain, breast engorgement, mastitis, low milk supply and latching issues are often the result of a lack of preparation and forceful breastfeeding techniques commonly taught in the hospital system.
The purpose of this documentary is to educate women so they can make their own choices, with the goal of doubling breastfeeding rates worldwide.
The film will be narrated by two-time Academy Award winner, Hilary Swank, who’s unwavering commitment to impactful storytelling, along with her global influence, make her an exceptional advocate for this goal.
Rachel is an Australian film director, creative director, mentor and producer, who has been in the film and TV industry for over 30 years. She has been nominated for Golden Guitar and CMT Music awards for best director and won the prestigious Beam Business Woman of the Year award in 2023. Rachel has a passion for making an impact with everything she does, and for the past 10 years has founded and built the highly successful video coaching academy called Girl Director, helping thousands of companies around the world tap into their unique stories. Rachel has been developing the breastfeeding documentary “Flow” ever since she found the story and knew that it needed to be told.
