So, Stacey won't breastfeed because she's on medication?

[Bomper]

Is that right? And what was that thing she was trying to feed the baby with? Why that over a bottle? (Genuine question - never seen one before).

my contractions with dd did start very painfully. back to back with very little water to cushion her.

I really didn't like how this was handled at all. Would have been better to have Stacy breastfeed and be reassured that meds were OK which the midwife did rather cackhandedly. Stacy said it hurt when she breastfed previously during the night. Midwife asked stupidly 'did she latch on well and get colostrum?' There was no need to give formula at that stage. Would have been better to ensure baby was feeding properly.

Usual negative breastfeeding story line. Would be nice if for once, soaps did breastfeeding positively

what other BFing/FFing storylines have there been on soaps? I keep missing them.

But I watched EE on iplayer today specifically for this so I could return with my tuppence worth considered opinion

not too happy either. I think they were trying to get across that Stacey is too depressed/in shock to want to do it. or maybe she was so scared of medication harming the baby - if so they could've made it clearer.

it was all a bit patronising IMO - ooh lets mention colostrum and latching to show the BFers we know what we're talking about.

could they not have actually shown the first feed, vaguely? not literally nipple-in-mouth (probably not allowed, I don't know) - but like they do on Friends when Emma is feeding?

ha ha I also wondered what everyone on MN would be saying about this storyline and guessing = corrently = it would mostly be negative!

Come on guys, they're trying. They have, in their own slightly cack-handed manner, spelt out the benefits of breastfeeding ("it even helps you get back into shape" - does it f**k!), and shown one of the most popular cast members wanting to breastfeed and apologise to her baby because she can't.

And don't forget, the large percentage of people watching EE are probably not MNer's and therefore maybe not quite so up with the ins and outs of breastfeeding as people on here are. They might not think things like mentioning colostrum and latch is patronising at all, they might say "ahh, ok, that's what happens the first night is is?"

Unfortunately, Stacey's storyline has been about her illness more than anything for a while so I guess this is going to override how/why/what/when etc she choses to feed her baby.

They definitely do give lithium for bi-polar infact, it is a very good drug for bi-polar in terms of stabilization of the illness. It used to be prescribed without batting an eyelid. However, it as has horrible side effects on various organs, the person taking it has to have incredibly regular blood tests for this reason and also,it is immensly difficult to come off, so often patients don't. This I know as a nurse, and also as my sister has now been put on it, after trying to stabilize on many other drugs. It is a horrible drug, but does help the illness hugely. Its a sad case of weighing up of the side effects against how badly the person with bi-polar suffers i.e. how bad their mania and depressions are.

Also, since it is about a TV program, surely telly addicts is the best place for it...

People with mental health issues, people with br feeding opinions or issues and those who chat all or mostly watch TV too

On topic... the baby will get far more of anti-psychotic drugs, what ever they are - as is the case with most drugs taken in pregnancy, through the placenta than via Br milk.

Often, infact, a baby will have to be carefully withdrawn from a drug in the NNU, yet it will still be safe to br feed the baby. This I know from personal experience of having to take morphine during pregnancy. My DD had to be watched in the NNU for withdrawal symptoms, thank god she was ok and had none. She was prem (not related) so had enough to contend with. I was actively encouraged to br feed - something I wanted to do desperately. I'd have been heart broken not to be allowed to due to the meds.

EE missed the opportunity to promote BF when Tanyia had her baby- he was immediatly bottle fed, as was, I think Heather- though I could be wrong on that on.
Its a great shame, the subject should be brought up in conjunction with stacys bi-polar which complicates the subject.

Why, when they had the chances, did they not use them, and show the issues mums have BF, the problems, the difficulties etc etc... normalise it for the nation. So that those who do BF aren't alienated in public BF.... but, this is just IMHO...

Where's Points Of View when you need it. I'd be writing a
" why o why o why on Eastenders, could they not have blahblahblah...."

I just feel they tried to do a BFing issue... and didn't do it very well.

would still love to know of other BFing storylines in soaps, if anybody can tell me some?

Coronation Street - they have mentioned it about 3 times over recent years and it has always been in a negative context.

Liam moaning to his mates that his friend's wife was pumping milk when he went round.

Kirk and Tyrone giggling because they'd seen a woman breastfeeding on a bus.

Maria's baby being put on a bottle almost immediately on Audrey's advice because 'it would help him sleep better'.

Weren't exactly full storylines but negative portrayals of breastfeeding and not even sure why they bothered including them tbh.

At least Stacey had someone come in to see her to ask if she was feeding at all. No-one asked me when I had DS.

i couldnt feed my son as i was on ad's and hrt for post natal depression

Heather did bf George at the beginning.

I was too shocked about the absolutely shocking acting of the midwife to notice the storyline.

I like strandedatsea
I'm PG for first time, so new to mumsnet. I want to breastfeed but No-one in my family has breastfed their children. My sis looked a bit disgusted when I said I wanted to try. I'm a big EE fan so I was fascinated by this storyline. I'm anxious about breastfeeding as most friends stopped after a few weeks for many and varied reasons. I feel the attitude in uk/Ireland is anti BF , certainly in my class/generation. Anything on TV about this subject is good in my opinion.
But that EE consultant was a v bad actress!!

Hey stenogirl I don't think anyone on MN has ever said they like me before!

Welcome to MN and congratulations on your pregnancy.

You will find lots and lots of advice on here about breastfeeding. Some people's attitudes (like your sisters) are quite shocking really, but it's good to be reminded from time to time that there is a whole non-Mumsnet world out there!

hi stenogirl and congratulations

sorry you've faced bad attitude about BFing. but you can do it. lots of people find it difficult - not trying to be scary but I firmly believe that it's better to be honest so you feel able to ask for help if you need it. BFing is instinctive, but both mum and baby still need to learn how to do it!

have faith in your own body - that's what boobs are for after all

do you know of any BF support groups in your area? you could ask your midwife. if there is a group, start going before baby is born so you get to know people. it'll be so much easier to go there for advice, and even if you don't need it it's a lovely way to meet other mums.

sorry for waffling

Hey stenogirl - congratulations.

The EE storyline is a bit of a joke - I can't believe that Stacey wouldn't have discussed the medication/bf issue with her midwife beforehand.

I would echo what Maths said - try and find out as much as you can beforehand and try not to listen to the doubters. I didn't get much support in the hospital but my MW was the local BF co-ordinator so she was fantastic. Just give it your best shot and come to MN if you are having trouble!

I was just wondering the other day how it'd be possible to portray BFing in soaps with any sense of realism and for any length of time. Haven't seen it, but it sounds to me like EE's attempt was just a cack-handed way to get around the problem.

Corrie, though -

Maybe when a baby is born, they don't even have to really mention it - having it in the background (almost literally) would be great as it shows how normal BFing is. So, there's a new baby, and when the mum is in the storyline, she's got baby on the boob instead of in the cot/carseat/floor/whatever.

Simples

Thanks for all of the support and tips, girls

hello again strandedatsea I like your way of seeing the world and the way you express it. I'm still laughing at your "does it f**k" comment

heather did BF when George was born.

I think that Honey BF Janet as well didn't she?

Just to clarify something about babies being exposed to meds via the placenta and via breastmilk - often the most important consideration is not how much they receive but how the meds are excreted.
During pregnancy the mother excretes the meds via the placenta but when the baby is breastfed they have to excrete on their own - infants ability to metabolise meds is not fully developed at birth so there is a risk of some meds accummulating in the infant as they are not able to excrete them fast enough.