Do you have questions about breastfeeding? Ask PHE’s expert

[JustineBMumsnet]

Whether you’ve struggled to breastfeed in the past or you’re pregnant for the first time and new to thinking about breastfeeding, PHE would like to help answer the questions you have about breastfeeding, and they have breastfeeding expert Jane Scattergood on board to help.

Here’s some information about Jane:

“Jane qualified as a midwife in 1992, and is a specialist health visitor. With a long career in supporting women and families in all aspects of health from pre-conception to school age, Jane has supported breastfeeding mothers and promoted breastfeeding extensively and in all settings, acute neonatal hospital care, community health visiting (including supporting the training of breastfeeding peer supporters) and around the time of birth in hospital and home."

Ask Jane your questions about breastfeeding by 1st June 2018 and we’ll select 10-15 questions for her to answer and post her responses as soon as possible. All who leave a question below (regardless of whether it’s chosen or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £150 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Bert2e]

What breastfeeding specific qualifications does Jane have?

[hannahbjm]

I am an extended breastfeeder I think that is what they call it. My daughter is 2 and a half. Is there any benefits to breastfeeding at this age or is it just a comfort thing to her? Am i hindering her in any way by breastfeeding at a toddler stage?

[BristolMum96]

I gave up breastfeeding my daughter after 2 days as it hurt so much. I was checked by about 10 different people at hospital and at home. Nothing wrong with latch, position, my anatomy, baby's anatomy etc. My question is: If I had persevered, does it get easier?
I am still disappointed I failed at it but after a traumatic birth it was just something additional I couldn't manage at the time.

[Callamia]

Why do Health Visitors and GPS have such patchy knowledge about breast feeding? They don’t need to be lactation consultants, but some are very poorly informed. How?

[Sleepysausage]

Is bf really best? I bf my dd to 20 months. It was painful and very hard work for about 4 months. I really struggled and it affected my mental health. I now wonder if all that effort and pain was worth it.

[ColonelCakes]

What does she recommend couples do during pregnancy to prepare for breastfeeding? I’m especially interested if anything can be done for inverted nipples.

[CathBookworm]

Which is the best breast pump to use to express milk?

[ncullinane]

My son who's 2 years and 4 months old breastfeeds at bedtime, what are the benefits of him still feeding at this age?

[JellySlice]

As an HCP in the system does Jane see her role as exclusively 'outwards', advising and supporting parents, or does she have an 'inwards' role, too. Many HCPs need educating about breastfeeding, and they are deeply cynical of people outside the system, such as mothers trained as supporters by the breastfeeding charities.

(I have come across some bizarre ignorance from HCPs, such as being told by my GP that I was starving my dd and putting her at risk of malnutrition when he learned that she was still breastfeeding at 18m. All the while this robust, healthy, taller-than-average child was playing placidly at our feet, burbling away about the toys )

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Why do you think so few women in the UK follow the WHO recommendation for breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of a baby's life?

[Theimpossiblegirl]

Would you recommend lactation smoothies (or indeed any particular food or drink) to increase supply or are they just a delicious con?

[LOL7]

I am currently breastfeeding my (almost) 3 year old, and am 22 weeks pregnant with his sister. When the baby comes along will she still get everything she needs if my son is still breastfeeding too?

[FizzForLunch]

My little boy has just turned 1 and I've been back to work for 3months. At night he still wakes at least every two hours and can only be settled by the breast. Is there any way to extend these gaps? I'm not interested in night weaning but a few 3 or 4 hour stretches would be lovely!

[mummyme100]

My baby will be 1 in a couple of months and I am torn between weaning on to milk or continuing to breast feed in the evening / morning. Do you have any advice on how to make this successful? I want to follow the WHO advice of BF until 2 but am worried how this will work once he's at nursery and I'm back at work.

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

Why is breast feeding promoted as being easy and natural? Pretty much every health professional I met during my pregnancy extolled it’s virtues and gave the impression it was a breeze. That was not my experience, I persevered and definitely think my MH suffered as a result. Second time around I was prepared and had realistic expectations. I think myth busting is desperately needed.

[hormonallyspeaking]

I'm pregnant with my first baby and am planning to breastfeed. I love the idea of sharing a special bond with my baby but have no idea where to start.

How do I know if I've got the correct latch? How do I breastfeed in public without judgement? How do I know when I need to express? Why do so many HCPs assume I'm going to formula feed just because I am younger, is it a stereotype that young mums prefer not to breastfeed? How can we break down barriers surrounding breastfeeding?

[Lollipop86]

My little boy is 23 months and I'm breastfeeding at nighttime. I'm about 7 weeks pregnant now, when will milk stop for my little boy? How can I beat prepare him for no milk?

[wineandcheeseplease]

How do I stop? Seriously. My daughter is 21m and still wants it non stop

[Nsmum14]

I too wonder if you know what the benefits of extended breastfeeding are, and why people generally are so prejudiced against it. My eldest breastfed till she was 6, my youngest is nearly 4 and still has a night feed and occasional morning feed. We are all happy with this, but I'd never tell anyone in real life for fear of being judged.

[Kraggle]

I agree that People need to be made aware how hard breastfeeding is at the beginning. First time mums often aren’t aware of cluster feeding etc and that it’s perfectly normal. I think the realities need to be explained in more detail.

I’m currently feeding my dd2 who is 15 months old, I have only been able to feed from one breast as I could never get her to latch properly on the other side, will she still be getting everything she needs from one breast and will I always be lopsided?!

[MrsSiba]

Can you explain in detail what to do to establish breastfeeding in the first 12-48 hours? Especially if baby is sleepy. And how to fend off midwives who push you to formula feed if baby is slow getting started. How long can a newborn go on tiny drops of colostrum?

Is it worth trying to express before birth to get supply stimulated ? I've heard this can be done from 37 weeks but no earlier add it can bring on early labour.

Bf is sold as the most natural thing in the world yet it isn't and there is still so little information available. The impact on the mental health for a mum wanting to bf and not being able is vastly underated not taken seriously enough.

[bigbadwolvesnextdoor]

@wineandcheeseplease

you stole my question

DC coming up to 2 and no sign of stopping, eats well despite of 6/8 feeds a day and occasionally night too. How can I get him to wean off?

[StealthPolarBear]

What help is out there for people who are struggling to breastfeed?

[marmitericecakes]

I successfully breastfed my first child several years ago and am currently pregnant with twins. I would appreciate some advice on how realistic it is to exclusively breastfeed twins. I would like to be able to express so we can bottle feed them occasionally but how do you ever find the time?

[SophieGiroux]

Any tips for stopping biting when baby gets teeth?