Have you seen the new NHS breastfeeding promotion card?

[elliott]

I assume it is breastfeeding awareness week or something, as I came across a breastfeeding promotion stall in the shopping centre yesterday. They were handing out little postcards with some snappy messages about breastfeeding - aimed at pregnant women and new mums I guess.
Anyway I think it is quite good on the whole, but I have a bit of an issue with how it describes 'day 4-5' of breastfeeding - 'your baby will start to want to feed 3-4 hourly'
Does anyone else think this is a tad, er, misleading?

The cards are dreadful - lots of bf supporters have just binned them.

oh tiktok, that's a bit harsh! Surely its better than handing out formula samples

Funny when I chose to b/f the amount of feeds a day didn;t matter to me, I would feed as many as s/he needed! Bit of a red herring, more applicable to those who have already chosen b/f after birth and are on the way to perfecting it, for information sort of thing, like growth spurts can come as a shock LOL

I remember when I was in hossie with ds1 and getting ready to leave. I asked the m/wife what happens with the b/f lark now and she said "Oh he'll soon start to go longer between feeds and get quicker at feeding" I had also read about this magical 6 week point.....now I know better. I don't think I got to the 3-4 hourly for a long long time, so yep, I agree, very misleading and hard for new mothers.

Elliott - it's not harsh. Why give mothers information that is both untrue, unhelpful and which probably increases their chances of not breastfeeding?

I agree,

I had'nt gt got clue about breastfeeding when I had dd1, and it was a major shock to the system. No one had prepared me for the continuous feeding, the pain, sore nipples, engorgement, etc etc. My only example was my niece who was bottlefed and fed every 4 hour from the word go. It was such a shock I was on the point of giving at least 4 times a day for the first 2-3 weeks!!!

I would have found it easier if I'd known what to expect. So, yes I think these cards are misleading and not helping at all

but its not what always happens in fairness, but they could be more forthcoming about top tips though

Also, there is quite a lot of guilt loaded on new mums by HVs and NHS guidelines - in that if you aren't doing it their way and your child isn't doing things by a certain age that you are a bad mother Cards like these will just add to the guilt some new mums feel if their baby doesn't slot into the 3-4 hourly feeding pattern.

Wonder how many mums were breastfeeding in the shopping centre

well one at least

good for you - much better for breastfeeding promotion than postcards!!

I agree....definately misleading and puts unfair pressure on new mums. My experience of feeding advice is - it all depends on who you speak to!

E.g, i have dd who is 12 weeks, and I was told yesterday by my hv that its ok to feed her every two hours still, 'as and when' was her advise.
Then my friend whos ds is 3 weeks old was told byher hv last week that her child should be fed 2 hourly!

Oops meant 4 hourly

I have about 20 of these cards in my cupboard that I was going to give out at a new parents day. Wondering whether to now.

Slghtly OT. I had just finished feeding ds in Asda cafe today. Got some lovely looks and comments from elderly couple at opposite table but then some "helpful old man" came up to me and pointed out the sign that said Asda would heat bottles and give free baby food.

Ds is a very small for his age 13 week old baby btw.

LOL Julie - like the only reason you were nursing him was that you had no way of heating up his bottle!

Maybe you should point out that you brought your own pre-heated milk!!!

BR

the comments given sometimes !!!