Exposing the myths of breastfeeding
22 July 2009
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article6718276.ece
I have mixed feelings about this article (see link above) published in The Times newspaper. On the one hand I am really pleased that leading medical experts are now admitting that breastfeeding is not the miracle answer to permanent good health for all babies. I have always maintained that there is FAR too much pressure on women to persevere with breastfeeding when it is going horribly wrong and that it is quite wrong to imply that resorting to formula milk is akin to feeding a baby liquid poison. That might be the case in Third World countries, but not here in Britain where mothers have access to clean water, sterilising equipment etc. On the other hand, it will be a GREAT shame if mothers misinterpret this article and think that the message is that “breast is no longer best”. This is not what is being said and mothers should continue to their very best to breastfeed their babies, without feeling that it is a waste of time and effort. There are so many benefits to be gained from breastfeeding (both medical and emotional) that mothers should not think that these findings devalue all the reasons why they are told that “breast is best”. Even if a mother only manages to feed her baby for a few weeks (or even a few days) she will still have done better by her baby than if she gives formula milk from Day one, without even trying to breastfeed. However, I firmly believe that breastfeeding is not best for baby if his mother is permanently in tears with sore nipples etc and/or her baby is constantly unhappy and not gaining weight because he can’t get enough milk for his needs. I see many such mothers and babies and am always amazed that they carry on breastfeeding when everyone is so unhappy – breastfeeding like this for weeks on end is not a bonding, loving experience for mother or baby and can often do more harm than good. Many mothers develop post natal depression as a direct result of unsuccessful breastfeeding, partly because they are so unhappy and partly because they feel such a failure. For what it is worth, this is my message to mothers following the findings of Joan Wolf and Professor Kramer:-