What to expect when you're breastfeeding...
While some mothers take to breastfeeding like a duck to water, others simply find it painful and depressing. If you are one of the many who find it uncomfortable and are on the verge of giving it all up, this is the book for you. During her years as a breastfeeding counsellor, the author has helped hundreds of mothers overcome their specific problems and go on to breastfeed successfully and happily. This book contains her invaluable advice on: How to prepare for breastfeeding; What to expect in the early stages; How to overcome common problems
...But what if you still can't?
Even with lots of help, breastfeeding for some mothers is just not possible. If this is the case, Clare's first rule is don't feel a failure. The most important thing is that your baby is fed enough and regularly. Rather than making you feel guilty, if you prefer or have to bottle-feed, this book is wholly supportive and provides you with all the practical information you need to have a settled and happy baby.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clare Byam-Cook is a trained nurse and midwife who has worked as a breastfeeding counsellor in Christine Hill's antenatal practice for the last ten years.
PRESS RELEASE (by the author) DURING THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS WEEK (12th -18th May 2002)
Virtually every mother in the country knows that "breast is best", so why aren't they all breastfeeding? The answer is because many mothers find it so difficult that they give up within the first week or two. They then tell all their friends what a nightmare it was and this does little to inspire confidence in the whole business of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding will only become a national pastime when it is proven to be both easier and more rewarding than bottle-feeding and at the moment that certainly isn't the case. Instead of blindly carrying on promoting the benefits of breastfeeding (which every mother already knows), why aren't more questions asked to find out why so many women give up breastfeeding?
If these questions were asked, it would quickly become apparent that women are stopping breastfeeding because, when things go wrong, they are not given help and advice that actually works. Instead, they are given support and encouragement, which is all very nice, but is of no real practical help.
I have worked in London as a breastfeeding specialist for over 12 years and all my clients come to me either by word-of-mouth or by doctor or hospital referral. I also see mothers who have travelled from all over the country (Scotland, Yorkshire etc.) to consult me simply because they have been unable to find adequate help locally. This is good for my reputation but is a very poor reflection on all the organisations that pride themselves on promoting breastfeeding.
So, my plea for National Breastfeeding Awareness week is to concentrate on highlighting the need for better training for breastfeeding counsellors, midwives etc. Everyone should stick to this very simple rule of the thumb: - check with the mothers to see whether your advice is helping. If it isn't, it is your advice that is wrong, and you are the failure, not the inexperienced mother. Harsh, but true!