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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

What to say to pregnant person who says she wants to b/f BUT...

40 replies

Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:09

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Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:10

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beansprout · 15/02/2007 22:11

I love the conspiracy theory about b/f. Even God/Mother Nature is in on it, what with them giving us breasts and everything....

Seriously though, it's not up to anyone else to get her to do something. If you have discussed it with her, that's all you can do. The rest is up to her. As much as I would love to force her to b/f of course. (Joke)

Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:11

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terramum · 15/02/2007 22:12

Does she know that she doesnt have to see her HV if she doesnt want to?

moondog · 15/02/2007 22:13

I'd just leave it.

Ali5 · 15/02/2007 22:14

It sounds to me like she's looking for an excuse not to! Is she perhaps worried or anxious about it, does she think she may not be able to and is looking for a get out clause? There is so much stuff out there on the benefits for her baby how could she think it's a conspiracy? It sounds like you've been a great friend and done everything you can, it's up to her now.

Caligula · 15/02/2007 22:14

Tell her to come on to mumsnet and post her thoughts and misgivings. Warn her that she may start a very ... ahem... lively debate, but that she'll go away better informed and with a better basis on which to make a decision.

CanSleepWontStarve · 15/02/2007 22:15

Why not suggest that she gives it a go and decides for herself what to do after that. Many women find it such an enjoyable experience for themselves, aside from all of the benefits for the baby.

flamesparrow once said that she was planning to breastfeed for 'today', and that tomorrow she might decide to breastfeed too. No long term targets, no pressure, just one day at a time - that line stuck with me (and I'm still bf 12 months after giving birth).

mummytosteven · 15/02/2007 22:15

I agree with MD. I think all this - I don't want to talk about breasts/supply etc - is part of an attitude of "I don't want to only talk about poo" fear that she will lose her identity etc in motherhood. And I think only time and experience as a mother will help her work through that fear.

Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:16

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Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:17

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Caligula · 15/02/2007 22:20

Does she know how low the breastfeeding rate is after a couple of months, even though most mothers start off BF?

Could you explain to her that the HV is perhaps trying to be supportive and trying to pre-empt any difficulties before they happen?

I agree it sounds like she's looking for excuses to not do it. Is she afraid of failure? Has she a close relationship with someone who has had a negative experience of BF?

Ali5 · 15/02/2007 22:23

I think you've done that though - and she must have had the information in all the bumf the midwife/gp/hv dishes out and I'll bet she's got some books too. If in the end she decides to bottle feed then it's her decision and the baby will be ok.

Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:24

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Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:26

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CanSleepWontStarve · 15/02/2007 22:32

Ah, with friends like you.... eh Pruni?

mummytosteven · 15/02/2007 22:33

would reverse psychology work - if you tell her to f/f or that bfing might be too hard for her, would that inspire her to go all out getting really into bfing?

Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:34

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Pruni · 15/02/2007 22:37

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welliemum · 15/02/2007 22:42

She does sound overwhelmed, poor her.

I think I might point out that they're saying the same things to everyone and in her case they've got it wrong, preaching to the converted. ie, don't take it personally, just smile and wave.

Also, it sounds as if she needs to feel more in control. Can you suggest that she thinks about what she wants wrt breastfeeding advice.

My list would be something like this:

  • some pointers on how to get the first feed going
  • a backup person to call for immediate help if the baby won't/can't latch on
  • some source of info to refer to for questions that might crop up in the first few weeks (eg Kellymom)
  • a phone number to call for practical help

... but she needs to make her own list really. It needs to happen on her terms.

terramum · 15/02/2007 23:22

TBH it sounds like she has a very rose tinted view of how bfing might be. Yes it can go with no problems at all...but one of my biggest mistakes was assuming it would be ok as was a "natural" thing to do & because I definately knew I would bf. Worked out in the end & I realise now that it is a learned skill for mum & baby...but I was lucky & had a local LLL group in place to help as I had attended meetings before DS was born.

How pg is she - might be worth leaving her for a few months if she isnt v far along & then suggesting the group again later, especially if she feels pressured - maybe stressing the social side of it & the idea that if she does have problems then she will at least have met those who can help her & she wont be going to complete strangers.

Housemum · 15/02/2007 23:37

Be careful of some of the LLL and NCT groups - they can be a bit overwhelming! Particularly if she already thinks they are out to get her for their bandwagon (and I have nothing against either group, before you lay into me - I'm treasurer of our local NCT and thoroughly enjoyed their support and the social part too)

If you or a friend has a baby, perhaps you could "check out" the local NCT coffee mornings? If you are lucky and get one like I found, they are a mix of mums from different backgrounds, some breast and some bottle feeding - perhaps if she saw some peopl BF without making a fuss it might make her inclined to give it a shot?

She may be feeling as if she's lining herself up for failure, so would rather not try and have a reason for it, than to give up and feel she's failed. Best advice to her is hey, don't make your mind up totally - why not give it a shot in private and see how it goes, but make sure she some decent info eg the NCT breastfeeding booklet so she knows about latching on etc and doesn't end up with sore nips. I was firmly intending to BF (and did) but the first night in hospital with DD2 and a pushy midwife grabbing my boob almost got me reaching right for the bottle!

Like the idea someone had earlier about just giving it a go "for today" - why not suggest just giving it a go for a few days - after all that's the important bit, you could say, and see how it goes from there. Does she realise it is possible to wean them off the breast after a few months, if it's really not her thing and she's concerned about extended feeding and the like?

fireflighty · 16/02/2007 08:22

I'd wonder who else she was hearing about BF from, tbh - has she got another friend or work colleague who didn't BF and who's helpfully(!) warning her against this 'BF mafia', pressure, etc. - in my experience people don't get that from nowhere, they hear about it from other people, and once primed to expect it, see it everywhere... I hate the fact that once you gain any BF expertise at all, even enough to be able to point people towards sources of help, your motives are instantly suspect.

If it was my friend, I might draw the analogy with labour with her - say that both are natural processes that sometimes need help, and that the reason the BF rates are so low is that a lot of people don't realise that it's not necessarily straightforward, and that there's a lot of value in the practical help that's available. I'd try to make the point that quite small practical tips can make a huge difference. If she's cringing at the idea of talking about these things with people, can you point her towards kellymom, as a place she can go and look completely on her own?

I might make the point that although her HV may be annoying her, she may actually need to be being wary of her in a completely different way - as someone whose BF advice may be well-meant but wrong. Perhaps you could agree with her about things like too much pressure being bad (but steer clear of your opinion of why certain things aren't pressure, but help), but then go on to discuss how much better than that sort of vague pressure is the basic, practical (that is to say semi-medical, relatively objective) information. So perhaps she can start to feel less like as an overall 'BF-world skeptic' who's having to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and is rejecting the undifferentiated mass of BF discourse that's out there, and feel more like just a BF skeptic who's rejecting the wishy-washy 'pressure', public discussion of nipples etc., and the poor information of some health professionals, in favour of using her own intelligence to sort out the information she needs. So in a way you would be agreeing with her strongly that she should be left to get on with it, but also encouraging her strongly to get a good personal information base in place for the tricky bits which, just like with labour, can crop up for a few people and may really affect the outcome. And maybe occasionally she will want to commission help from someone more expert, but on her terms. So perhaps she can really feel that she's owning her breastfeeding experience, and driving it, she's not following someone else's line, and isn't having to sign up to any earth motheryness, while still being open to the best practical, basic, information. She sounds a bit like someone who needs to believe that there are objective, biological reasons for some of the BF information out there, because she's going to be hugely suspicious of anything coming from a LLL or similar source (even if it's the same information).

It does sound difficult - good luck.

FioFio · 16/02/2007 08:23

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Wheelybug · 16/02/2007 08:34

I think if you are pg with your first baby and the thought of bf-ing doesn't come naturally (despite knowing all the reasons why), there can seem like a lot of pressure to do it. I think this might be a bit of an extreme reaction (Pruni's friend) but I do remember there not seeming like there was any choice in it.

FioFio - where I am (which I would imagine is an area where BF rates are fairly high) ff wasn't ever mentioned I don't think to the extent in my notes where the midwife had to put what sort of feeding I would be doing she put bf-ing without even asking me. I could go on with other examples but I am digressing somewhat.

I think you just have to suggest to your friend to try it, be there with advice if it all doesn't go as planned. The one day at a time idea is good too.

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