Hi Ladies,
This is almost a bit off topic but I don't know where else to post it. I'm trying to work out if there's anything I can do to improve breastfeeding support in my area.
Breastfeeding initiation rates in my area are relatively high for the UK. I think that the high breastfeeding initiation rate doesn't mean that women are having no difficulty, just that they are more likely to start. But there is so little postnatal support for breastfeeding. The volunteer run groups lack sufficient expertise to help everyone and are overwhelmed anyway. It's not enough.
The local hospital has one specialist breastfeeding midwife, and it is a minor part of her job (~2 days per week). The community midwives that I came into contact with had too great a workload and too little expertise to give any support beyond the absolute basics. It's not enough.
I have trained as a peer supporter but it's not enough. Who is going to help me when I have my next child? Will I have to go through another 4 months of hell, dragging my husband and children with me? I didn't have PND, I just couldn't get my daughter to feed less often than hourly, day and night. It was relentless and I still don't know why.
I want to do more. Another hospital in my region has an IBCLC on staff, another trainee IBCLC, and another couple of part time breastfeeding support workers. It's not enough but it's better than nothing. It's over an hour's drive away though.
Would writing to PALS at my local hospital help? My MP? I think he has bigger fish to fry. Is there anything I can do?
I didn't really mean to bring my story in to this, but it illustrates why i want to try and change things. I'd really appreciate any suggestions you all might have to help me.
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Infant feeding
(No) postnatal breastfeeding support
19 replies
TryDrawing · 02/04/2013 22:21
OP posts:
SuffolkNWhat ·
03/04/2013 10:43
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Welovegrapes ·
03/04/2013 16:07
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