Why are breastfeeding rates so low in the UK?

[Olivebrach]

So related to the news about the Royal College of Midwives changing their policy saying mothers have the right to formula feed and the stigma around formula needs to change ect..

I get it that for people that breastfeeding doesnt work out for/isnt easy, they shouldnt be made to feel like a failure. And the 'breast is best' mantra can be upsetting if that is what you desire to do but it doesnt work out.

But considering the breastfeeding rates are so low in the UK (1 in 200 babies are breastfed at the age of 1). The "mantra" and policy atm currently isnt working to up bf rates..? Clearly more people are formula feeding.

So in your opinion..
what should be done to increase breastfeeding?
And why do so few women end up breastfeeding?

AIBU to think the rates need to improve?

Your experience is so similar to mine. It annoys me when people say that bf is so much easier than ff - in order to bf I needed to:

First find a chair that had exactly the right support,
Apply nipple cream (not lanolin as it turns out i’m allergic to it 🙄),
Get baby into exactly the right position (usually took at least three attempts)
Grit my teeth to avoid screaming in pain as my let down was very painful.

To ff I needed to:

Open the bottle
Open the milk carton
Pour in the milk
Close the bottle
Give to the baby.

I know this is not everyone’s experience, but it was mine, and saying that bf is easier/less faff/free (not free - I spent ££ on various lotions, special pillows, books, trips to bf groups etc desperately trying to get it to work) it erases my experience and that of many women I know.

Personally, I think the only problem with low bf rates is that women who want to are not supported and are made to feel bad when they then can’t do it. I think if no one wanted to bf, and everyone ff, there would be no problem with that.

Sorry that post was supposed to be a reply to Cowparsley2 - not sure why it didn’t work.

Lack of basic info is still a big problem. For instance I knew I wanted to b/feed, it was in my notes, I hadn’t done any of my own ‘research’ because I generally hate reading baby and birthing books. When my dd was born a month early I didn’t even try to latch her on for 4 hours, why, why, why?? Why didn’t a single midwife tell me that there’s a window to get the 1st feed in before they fall asleep, then you have a real battle on your hands. It’s such a basic thing, she was quite big and strong despite being early and I’m sure she would have latched. As it happened we had a week in hospital of pumping, practising and bad jaundice, but eventually she got it and we fed happily for 15 months (no pain, no problems) I’m expecting again and this time I won’t be making the same mistake, baby will be straight on the breast (providing that’s possible).

Why do we need to improve breastfeeding rates? I really don't understand why it's a problem? We have really low infant mortality rates so it's not like formula has made more babies die... on the contrary the rate lowered when formula use increased...

The benefits of it are negligible at best in a country with clean water and Relatively cheap formula...

I genuinely understand why we push breastfeeding in countries with lack of access to formula and clean water. It does save lives there! But here, it actually increases chances of hospital readmission, brain damage due to jaundice and other conditions for a newborn.

I also hate the brazen marketing strategies of formula countries and disagree with their selling it as "better than" breast milk. But it's certainly no worse...

I don't know why we're so het up on exclusive breastfeeding too. If you want to breastfeed, breastfeed. Supplement with formula if you want to. Let your baby decide when breastfeeding ends if you want to. Feed them formula if you want to. Just make sure you are all happy with the arrangement, baby and mum

Why do we need to improve breastfeeding rates? I really don't understand why it's a problem?

Because most women want to feed their babies this way when they start out.

Ff is terrible for the environment. (Yes I know generally having a child is not an environmentally friendly choice)

There are health benefits to both babies and women (people always seem to forget these) certainly at population level, so public health bodies are always going to prefer breastfeeding.

Just a few reasons that spring to mind.

If I breast fed my baby practically in my sleep I would very likely smother and kill him. I have very large and soft breasts that completely block his nose (cover his face) if I don't position them appropriately the entire time I'm feeding him, it's a fact. I'm not willing to be told 'don't worry he can breathe' he can't, I am not an idiot, I can tell when a baby is and is not able to breathe.

I also hate the brazen marketing strategies of formula countries and disagree with their selling it as "better than" breast milk. But it's certainly no worse...

Do you not find it odd that countries that signed up to the full WHO breastmilk subsitue marketing guidelines (rather than part of it covering babies under 6 months like the U.K.) have much Higher rates of breastfeeding? Suggests to me that many consumers are not actually choosing formula or brands as freely as they think they are.

“I don't know why we're so het up on exclusive breastfeeding too. If you want to breastfeed, breastfeed. Supplement with formula if you want to. Let your baby decide when breastfeeding ends if you want to. Feed them formula if you want to. Just make sure you are all happy with the arrangement, baby and mum”

Can I just check, before I reply. Have you read the thread?

@BertrandRussell honestly no... sorry!

I just was curious about a few things and wanted to ask some questions...

OK-I think if you have a quick scroll, your questions have all been answered. Honestly not meaning to be snippy..........

@BertrandRussell thanks!

I mean when on mobile I don't know how long I have to scroll so sometimes jump the gun a bit! Will scroll during baby snooze

@Purplestorm83 the experience yo describe of nursing is limited to the first 6-8 weeks. No one who BF at 6 months is applying nipple cream or needing a special seat. I fed my 6 month old on a bench at soft play for my toddler today. No pillow or special equipment needed.

But formula is still formula and requires mixing and bottles and washing.

As I’ve said before - majority of information on BF seems to come from women who stopped in the early days of sore nipples, cluster feeding, etc. And those of us who continue beyond this point are ignored and it’s assumed it was easy for us that’s why we made it. No it was hard and painful for me too. But I had access and means to get support so I didn’t quit. I’m not a superwoman but I had help. I wish more women had thT help so they could also BF if they want, and not just think of it as pain and misery.

I’m BF my second child now and it’s not only a joy but a massive source of pride for me. If more women can experience that it would be great in my opinion.

And put less money in the hands of companies who do NOT have babies best interests at heart...but that’s another rant.

Everyone asking me when I'm going to stop so they can have the baby as though I'm breastfeeding to purposefully stop grandparents having the baby, I get no sleep too! It is really hard to breastfeed! I'll do it as long as possible but easy to understand why people stop!

Hi, new mum here (12 day old little girl) and I’ve been reading this thread with interest. Could someone describe/explain a bit more about what cluster feeding is? It seems that most people dread it, why is that? I think my little girl might be doing it but I’m not sure.
Thank you

It's usually in the evening where they want to feed repeatedly, and one feed doesn't seem to satisfy them. They do it to increase your supply.

What assassinated said re cluster feeding. Also, they do it during a growth spurt so watch out for 6 weeks, it'll seem like she's feeding constantly!

Aha, thank you. Maybe she is too young to be doing it now? She’s 12 days. Either in the morning or evening will feed for 5-12 mins at a time every hour or more for about four hours, does that sound like it? Then sleeps for a good few hours and maybe does a longer feed, say 20 mins. She was a few days premature (36+3) and quite sick with an infection & jaundice at first so was tube fed but now back on the breast as she’s got more energy. I’m terrified of her going back on the tube so I really want to make sure she’s getting enough.
Thank you

Putting a baby on your boob is a lot less faff than making up a bottle
That's your experience, clearly a lot of other women have different experiences. Making up bottles gets really easy once you've done it a few times.

That does sound like it to me, the frequent feeds before a sleep. I wouldn't let her go too long between feeds though, 3 to 4 hrs max from the beginning of the previous feed.

A good indicator is plenty of wet/dirty nappies, as you probably know. If in doubt then don't hesitate to get your HV to check her over.

Cluster feeding is also when people start to think they don’t have enough milk.

When the baby has been on and off the breast from 4pm to midnight, if you don’t realise what’s going on you might think they aren’t getting enough milk, which is why they want to feed again, when they only finished 10 minutes ago.

This is often “confirmed” when a bottle is offered, they drink it and fall asleep.

The reality is they are stimulating supply ready for a growth spurt. When you offer a bottle the milk is there, easily and plentiful, so they no longer think they need to up supply- which then means they stop bf so much, which doesn’t stimulate supply, and you’re in the vicious cycle and your supply drops the more bottles you give.

Bf is very different to bottle feeding.

Cluster feeding is great. You can watch an entire series on Netflix in one sitting (literally).

This is so helpful, thank you. Need to get Netflix sorted now!

Also, make sure you have used the loo and have snacks and drinks to hand and a fully charged mobile! I remember one day feeding on the sofa when my husband left for work at 7:30am and still being there when he returned at 17:30. Having only left the sofa to use the loo very quickly. I think my baby was about 3 weeks old at the time.

Cluster feeding is great. You can watch an entire series on Netflix in one sitting (literally).

This is somewhat less great if you have older children to look after who are also destroying the house due to being stuck indoors.

Wow user1471, that’s tough & impressive!