Breastfeeding

[garythecat]

Im well past my breastfeeding days but know lots of new mums who refuse to try or give up at the first hurdle. It is of course a personal choice but unless a mum has a medical reason I dont really understand why they dont try / persevere, to save money if nothing else!!! A work colleague recently said to me she couldn't bear the thought of breastfeeding, that it was unnatural !! Should we not be promoting and offering advice and support to new mums? I for one would be prepared to give up some free time to offer support. What do you guys think?

[boobesque]

I am planning on combine feeding as my older child needs so much of my attention, i couldnt feed all the time. Its personal choice at the end of the day, some people simply do not like the thought of it.
Have you thought of contacting the national childbirth trust or La leche league? They are always looking out for breastfeeding councellors and you may be able to offer your support to them.
I think that yes, we should offer advice and support but only to those who want it, no one should be made to feel guilty for their choice in feeding.

[OBonio]

New mums are actively encouraged to breast feed. The mid wives / health visitors are not allowed to encourage bottle feeding.

That said, today's society promotes lazyness and a 'have it all now' attitude so it's no surprise if things get a 'little bit tough' that some fold.

[OBonio]

I should stress that my reference to 'a little bit tough' above should translate as 'damn hard'. God knows how Mrs OBonio done it for 6 months.

[bex401]

I breast fed my daughter for the first 3 weeks after birth,and did'nt find it that easy,but persevered,then developed mastitis (which was extremely painful)and had to give up.I was totally overwrought about this as I felt I was depriving my child and it took me a while to get over it,as it hurt,both mentally & physically when I gave her a bottle.I think this probably contributed to my later PND too.
I am on my second pregnancy now & very apprehensive about breast-feeding this time round,but I will give it a try again.So do'nt be too judgemental on mothers who decide not to garythecat,some of us do have/or have had problems & do'nt just dismiss it without a thought.

[garythecat]

bex401 I sympathise with Mums who have medical problems that prevent or hinder them in breastfeeding as I said in my original post. It must be terribly upsetting to be unable to feed when you want to. Im not being judgmental, sorry if it sounded that way, I just think a greater level of support could be offered to help mums feed.
boobesque - I took your idea on board and have e-mailed La Leche and National Childbirth Trust to see if I could help. Waiting on a response.

[lmh040]

I bottle fed my first child because of a traumatic birth but breast fed my second. I found it tiring and restricting. She was never full enough so I was feeding every 11/2 hrs. I felt very guilty because my older was missing out on my time but I did preservere for 12 weeks.It didnt help me bond with the baby any better because I developed postnatal depression and she has been more poorly than my older child so I dont think the health benefits are any better. Having said that I have spoken to lots of people that have found its the best thing for them. I think every new mum should be given the choice and not made to feel guilty if they opt not to breast feed. I had really good support and help from the midwives and health visitors but I think that if you didnt then it would be hard to keep on doing it.