unhelpful information on breastfeeding on mums.net

[verastones]

website displaying negative experience of breastfeeding www.mums.net

Really poor article on 3 quite negative breastfeeding experiences, personally I think it would frighten anyone from having a baby never mind breastfeeding

If you agree with me that it not a balanced article and does not reflect most peoples experience of breastfeeding, please complain to them

I have emailed to complain

www.mums.net/index.php?document=20&article=6

please note it is mums.net not mumsnet

Haven't read the whole thread sorry, but I sympathise, I am having lots of problems with BF and have one sore nipple aswell! My baby is 13 weeks, but problems only started after having to stop BF recently for a week, if you find out what is wrong with your right nipple please let me know! I tried my hospital BF counsellor and she couldn't help me cos baby too old, I also left my details with an NCT BF counsellor in my area but she didnt call back

pookey! What rubbish hospital BFC is that! Grrr.

If the NCT isn't helping, I'd try the LLL, ABM, and BFN. They're all the same, they can all provide excellent help (and I can't see any of them turning you away for having a baby who's "too old"), but each has different coverage, so different areas are better for each.

Otherwise, any local baby cafe or breastfeeding dropin will help.

Why did you have to stop bf for a week?

baby too old? surely they have to help all ages? that's awful! does it hurt to express? if not could you do that and feed from other. apols for lack of punctuation - teething babe in arm

It sounds like nipple confusion/latch, so giving more bottles probably isn't a good idea?

I'd go see a BFC, and get latch etc checked.

Had to take antibiotics, had taken loads of BF friendly ones that didnt help clear up episiotemy problem, hospital now telling me its no wonder I am having infections when taking so many antibiotics grrr grrr double grrr. App ealing hosp can only help for one month post delivery.

pookey, that's awful. i went to a different hospital than the one i delivered in when dd1 was nearly 12 weeks and it was all absolutely fine, just had to ring up and make an appt.

Oh, Pookey, just FYI, even the not-breastfeeding-friendly antibs are often ok, they just give baby the runs a bit. I'd check on here with mears or tiktok, or call one of the BFC hotlines before stopping BF for anything like that.

Not much help now, though, is it.

If you tell us where you are (vaguely) we can find you baby cafes. Or do you need the details for LLL/ABM/BFN?

Tiktok... I know you didn't miss the ABM
BTW - in West Kent we have two BF clinic run by 2 lactation consultants and we have 4 more run by BF clinics and this is in a 30 mile radius ! So 12 to 20 seem low.

sorry 4 run by BF counsellors

Pookey - Your baby is probably used to the bottle and may not be latching on properly again. Make sure that her mouth is as wide open as it can get. It might also help to squeeze your breast flat as you put it into her mouth, like a sandwich, so that she gets a good mouthful. You could also put a warm damp cloth over your nipple whilst feeding to help the let down reflex.

Once you stop, it takes a while to get back into the swing of things again, both for your baby and for you. Hope you manage to work it out.

I help mothers of 2 years old.... so no we do not have an age limit!!!

Sorry a bit late to this thread - but I agree with those who says it's only showing the other side of breastfeeding.

I was lucky - I had a midwife running our antenatal classes who didn't mess with the truth - she told us flat out that - yes it usually becomes easier, but don't kid yourself that's its easy for everyone from day one.

Before that antenatal class on (breast) feeding I felt MUCH more prepared for it, as before then I'd only ever read "postive, positive, positive" (to paraphrase New Labour ) about it, and everyone said how 'easy' it was. I found it bldy awful for the 1st 4 months (only thing that kept me going TBH was the fact that DS1 wouldn't take a bottle - not even of freshly expressed Breastmilk ). After that it got much easier, and I fed him until he was 14 months.

Unfortunately (and I know this is another thread entirely) of course she wasn't able to say much about bottle feeding, and a friend of mine had lots of worries and problems with bottlefeeding and was told (even after the birth) just read the instructions on the tin (to me - as I'm now a mother of a breastfed and a bottlefed baby - that's like saying to a breastfeeding mum - just stick your nipple in the babies mouth )

Oh blimey - sorry waffling again - been a long day - been at work, and I'm off to a meeting in 25 minutes AHHHHHH

Hi thanks for the advice, i think part of the problem is that he has been bopping off the breast and crying lately so I am just really relieved when he will actually latch on that I dont always persist with making him open wide, he has never really opened his mouth wide for a feed though even when I have made a real effort. Will try again though and will try squishing boob, app he he has a high pallate if that means anything?

I live in Ealing - had never heard of a BF cafe!

The BFN doesn't seem to have any drop-ins near you ... unless NW5, NW3 or N15 are close? Ealing is W though isn't it?

I would call the LLL and ABM, and see who can provide help close by?

West Kent is very well served, pupuce, I know, but maybe there are more than the 12 to 20 I estimated in the whole country. I think we should have one on every corner!

Pookey - the NCT bfc will be a mother, volunteering, and maybe she didn't get the message, or maybe she has lost the paper with your number on, or maybe whoever took the message didn't take it down correctly....give her another chance or call the bf line 0870 444 8708.

There is hardly ever a reason to stop bf because of medication - though you wouldn't think so, from what mothers are told

He's probably gotten used to the formula (sorry I called him a 'she' earlier, I figured I had a 50/50 chance!). If he's hungry though he will suck and after a few days he should get used to your taste again.

Make sure that you are nice and relaxed when you are feeding, it will help him to become relaxed too. Have a glass of wine handy (though not every time you feed!), try and settle down into some soft cushions, and when you feel really comfy, latch him on.

tiktok, the meds thing really does make me despair. Someone on here was about to stop because of voltrol (diclofenac) - came on to find out how best to stop. I take voltrol if I have soft tissue injuries while BF, as it's the safest strong anti-inflammatory!

My DS bobbed on and off because of thrush (in his mouth probably caught from me which, i believe, was caused by having to take ABs in the first week after birth). If you have had lots of AB's then thats a possibility isnt it?

I had real problemd BFing in the early days. The pain was so bad I didn't even notice the Mastitis I had in one breast. The fever gave it away and the big boil but honestly the pain in the ok breast was almost as bad.

Anyway after it settled down after about 8 weeks. DP wanted to try a drop ( you know how men can be) well I nearly screamed the house down. Believe me he was latched on OK.

Scond time round got loads of advise as I was in hosp for 7day. Each time the midwife woul flinch when they saw the trauma done to my nipples and the BFing councellor said I can't believe you are still trying. I said it's cos I know it gets better (as long as DP is kept away). 9 mths later still feeding but you know my nipples still feel sensitive. My nipples are very pale which some thought was the reason.

Anywy I thought article was fine. It was honest.

I think every Mother who wonders whether to breast feed or not needs to think about the following points.

1. Human milk is better for babies than cows milk mixed with sugar.

www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T021600.asp

You can all jump down my throat if you like but just look at the absurdity of the comparison. Why give them something else when you can provide the perfect food for your infant?

2. Formula is better for the Mother, it's about convenience . Come on, all the plus points are about the Mothers benefit, more free time, partner can help, your body is your own
   again..etc It's not a bad thing for the emancipated modern career woman but at least admit that is why they prefer it. If thats the case than good for them.

3. Of course it takes time to get right, all skills need to be learnt, people expect stuff to just land in their laps but it requires time and effort. It can be hard and at time feel like the most difficult task but once it is established it is so easy. Just don't give up, remember you can do it..it will work and then you will look back and wonder what you were worried about.

Message withdrawn

Bottle feeding is easy-I chose to breast feed both of mine.

BTW, just to say that actually bottle feeding is not always easy. It takes much longer to organise and sort out, have to get the right bottle and teat for your baby/child, have to find the right formula for your baby/child, figure out best way to prepare/store it, and how to heat it on the move.

In that sense breast feeding is probably the easiest option.

yes please Pruni - shuffle over so I can sit down

You can go down the pub!