Breastfeeding rates in the UK

[Faerie87]

It’s just that really, been reading up a lot on this recently and the statics show that our rates are not as good as other countries, so what is it that other countries do differently?

I currently feed my LG a combination of breast milk and formula, I express for her, unfortunately I was never able to get her to latch properly but would have loved to have been able to feed her directly. I know this can be quite an emotive subject so I thought I would share my experience to show I’m not in one camp or the other regarding this, I’m just curious to find out what is the general consensus on why the Uk does have low breast feeding rates?

I think it’s nice to share experiences of feeding baby’s whether it be formula feeding or breast feeding, and for those ladies who have tried to breast feed but not continued what made you stop? And if you were to have another baby would you do anything differently?

From this thread, it seems a lot of women were looking for their HCP to validate or 'give permission' to stop BF/give formula/mix feed.

I don't get that impression. I think most women on here are/were in need of skilled, more prolonged help and support, which midwifes and HV's on the whole were not knowledgeable enough to give, or did not have time to give.

Why does my opinion as a midwife you'll likely never see again matter at all? It's YOUR baby!

Do you not understand the difference that the words / actions of a midwife (or lack thereof) can make to a very vulnerable and confused, possibly isolated and traumatised, post-partum woman ?!! Having worked as a midwife?!

Dear me.

*Shazafied

Why does my opinion as a midwife you'll likely never see again matter at all? It's YOUR baby!

Do you not understand the difference that the words / actions of a midwife (or lack thereof) can make to a very vulnerable and confused, possibly isolated and traumatised, post-partum woman ?!! Having worked as a midwife?!

Dear me.*

I think by skipping out her last sentence, you are completely negating the context of her comment.
It's YOUR baby! Which I think our terrible PN care doesnt set women up to own and feel confident in.

She’s implying that our current set up for postnatal support doesn’t let mums feel confident enough in themselves to make a decision based on what they want, not how others make them feel.

As a doctor (neither obstetrics nor GP) I can confirm that as an undergraduate we had only minimal training on breastfeeding. Which basically came down to "breastfeeding is good". I often see women who are breastfeeding in clinics though, who have often been told they need to stop breastfeeding in order to take a particular medication. Or to pump and dump and give formula for days after a scan. Which most of the time is not good advice- it's not given maliciously but because people are nervous advising that medications are safe.

I usually work with people to find a solution which doesn't involve stopping but that's because I have breastfed and know how important it can be to people. And also because my DD refused bottles so "just switching" to formula isn't always possible!

It's worth remembering that everyones effort threshold is different too, and different with each baby I'm sure. So while some people may feel endless cluster feeding and minimal sleep for a few weeks is a reasonable trade off to ensure long term success for others that's not something they are willing to put up with. And that's ok. I agree that the focus on exclusive breastfeeding isn't always helpful and that mixed feeding should be discussed more as an option- as long as people are aware that it may result in shorter breastfeeding duration overall (although actually in many cultures occasional formula is used and not associated with shorter breastfeeding).

Overall though, we are letting women down. If people want to breastfeed they should be supported to do so for as long as they wish. Probably starting with the reality of the initial few weeks and helping people to see that it's ok to not "want your old life back" immediately.

I agree about proper advice about expressing and bottle feeding. Im living what you feared Lisa - a bottle refusing baby who feeds every 1-2 hours day and night. I had the fear of god put into me re establishing breastfeeding and nipple confusion and obviously there is a risk. But I am so exhausted and sleep deprived and he can’t be away from me for long and had I known this was a risk I would have taken the risk of breast refusal. And I know there’s no guarantee a baby will continue to take a bottle but I am knackered. He is a joy but I haven’t had a decent chunk of sleep in such a long time. Just a month to go before we can start solids and maybe the physiological and developmental changes that go with that will improve things.

@BingerGeer completely agree re: bottle and dummies before breastfeeding is well established.

Also its not only about the latch. Sucking on a dummy releases a hormone that tells a baby it is full. Therefore can really interfere with cluster feeding to build supply. Unless of course the dummy is used very sparingly and mum is very clued jn to baby's feeding cues. And the potential impact on supply of giving a bottle, especially at night time when prolactin levels are highest.

On the other hand, the thought of having a bottle refusing baby would terrify me.

I wish HCPs would explain all this thoroughly.

The more I learn about BF they more annoyed I am at myself for not researching it myself before having my baby.

I had a blocked duct and mastitis when baby was 6 weeks old. Quickly developed in to an abscess which required IV antibiotics and incision and drainage under GA. It was a traumatic experience for me.

I am feel so sad about having to quit BF 5 months on.

I feel so annoyed at myself too. I did not have the knowledge to know that wearing an ill fitting bra and lying on my breast could cause blocked ducts. I did not know how to hand express effectively to clear blocked ducts. I did not know how serious mastitis could be and that I needed to seek
medical advice within 6 weeks.

I also feel annoyed at my GP who did not have a clue about BF. He prescribed a small dose of a completely incorrect antibiotic that is not recommended for first line treatment in mastitis and told me to come back in a week if it hadn't helped. He was also aware that I am immunocompromised as I take immunosuppressant medication. I have since read NICE guidelines for mastitis and I cannot believe how badly he mismanaged my case.

That should say "medical advice within 24hrs"

BingerGeer Others have said it better than me already. My experience and those bf mums around me has been bottle refusers rather than nipple confusers.
Holistic support from meal prep, looking after older siblings through to support in active risk management is required. A balanced individualised approach. unfortunately the nhs is losing that across the country as purse strings are pulled tighter and tighter. This means breastfeeding support groups are staffed by well meaning volunteers who are clearly passionate but end up coming across as the breastapo when a vulnerable mum enters the room.
Bottles and dummies worked for me and my breastfed girls, never had a problem with the whole supply/demand thing.

Even when women get beyond the pain and latching problems I don't really know how we can practically support breastfeeding mums who are at the stage where they are feeding 8+ hours per day and who have additional children or other responsibilities. Some individuals will have family members, others could maybe pay for help like a temporary childminder but most are on their own.

Haven’t read any posts. I think it’s down to a combination of factors:

• it’s bloody hard work. Relentless for the first 2-3 months.
• new mums not knowing what to expect, not knowing what’s normal newborn feeding behaviour
• lack of support from friends and family who have most likely ff
• inconsistent advice and support from hcps

*Why does my opinion as a midwife you'll likely never see again matter at all? It's YOUR baby!

Do you not understand the difference that the words / actions of a midwife (or lack thereof) can make to a very vulnerable and confused, possibly isolated and traumatised, post-partum woman ?!! Having worked as a midwife?!

Dear me.*

@Shazafied - Clearly not, that thought never occurred to me . You took my comment entirely out of context - that women and families aren't cared for PN in a way which enables them to always feel confident, empowered and informed to make the decisions they need and want to. Such as saying "I want to mix feed and would like some help with that" rather than continuing to exclusively BF when they don't want to because a midwife told them it would be harmful to give formula or whatever.

Trust me, part of the reason I left midwifery was the lack of ability due to the nature of the NHS to give the quality of care I wanted to.

I BF my DD for 15 months and I absolutely hated it. Nobody at any antenatal class I'd ever been to had mentioned cluster feeding, how stressful it was not to know how much milk your child had drunk or bottle refusing and I found it mentally very draining.
In addition, none of my peers BF their children, so all of the messages that I was seeing on social media was that you could totally have a weekend away, leave your child with their grandparents and get some sleep. Or at the very least have a date night or a few hours away. And truthfully I begrudged bf because I couldn't do any of that.
I'm now pregnant with DC2 and I fully plan to bf again. I feel like this time I'm more mentally prepared for how hard it is. I also appreciate this time how lucky I was that my DD and I didn't have any problems bf at all. Ultimately I think that a lot more women would continue bf if they were more informed beforehand as to how hard it can be, both mentally and physically. And then maybe the reality might be easier to relate to the expectations!

Katinkak8 I feel the exact same as you! Except I wouldn’t breastfeed if I was to have another not happening

I felt everyone talked about bf as if it was amazing and my friends with babies younger than me were out living their lives and I couldn’t be gone more than 4 hours! I found it really tough and think if people had of been honest from the start it would’ve been easier. I would’ve known my life would stop completely for this long and I would have no escape from being a milking machine.

If my baby had of taken a bottle, I’d of quit a long time ago. Or if I’d have introduced a bottle earlier, and he’d have accepted one, I would have found it all a lot less stressful, but everyone tells you not too!