Rusk-us at the Baby Show
Ooh there's going to be a brawl at the Baby Show next month.
A breastfeeding guru to the stars (I know, why can't they just use midwives like the rest of us) is set to upset the militant mums by saying that, actually, it's okay to use a bottle and even
Speaker Clare Byam-Cook, who counts Kate Winslet and Kate Beckinsale as clients, now thinks the 'breast is best' message has gone too far.
And she will be telling visitors to the NEC show that using a bottle, a pump or formula is 'acceptable' if a baby seems underfed.
Having encountered the breastfeeding brigade who seem to place formula on a par with heroin, I predict a riot. Expect rusks at dawn.
But I completely agree with Clare. Breastfeeding is not the be-all and end-all.
Bottle-fed babies sleep better for a start which means their mums have more energy and are not so grumpy from tiredness.
Then there's the sore nipples, the leaking, the embarrassment at having to whip your boobs out in public - all delights of breastfeeding that can make you feel awkward and miserable.
I've struggled on - out of guilt mostly (a Catholic education will do that to you), a martyred expression on my face throughout.
So it's nice to see an expert bringing some balance to the argument. Breast is best for babies, but not always for the mums.
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Laura Yates - Brummie mum Laura Yates is a 27 year old mother of two from Kings Heath. She gives her take on family life in the city.
Thank god I hadn’t read anything like your blog when I was pregnant with my first child. I was very young and self conscious and it would have terrified me.
Tales of sore nipples and embarrassing moments would have stopped me trying something that benefited me and my son so much.
I agree Victoria; guilt should never be used as a weapon to make women feed babies when they just don’t want to.
What we should all be doing is helping new mothers by highlighting the positive points AND pointing out the parts that can be difficult then offering SUPPORT, something it sounds like you didn’t have much of.
Sore nipples pass but the benefits gained will be felt by babies (and mothers) forever.
Thanks for the raising the issue. There are many breast feeding support groups across the midlands. I go to one that is held every Wednesday from 1pm at Lyndon Children’s Centre at Ulverley School.
I recently became a mother on new years day and throughout my pregnancy i said that if i COULD breastfeed i would due to the scientific fact that it offers the best start for your child. Having given birth to a 10lb baby boy i wondered if i would be able to satisfy what would surely be a 'big appetite'. Fortunately i had a good friend and breastfeeding club on tap that offered me both advice and support and i don't know what i would have done without them. People should never look down their noses at how someone decides to feed THEIR baby, we live in democracy and always have the freedom of choice once presented with the facts. However, i object to people who label breastfeeding mothers as 'mother earths' or 'the breastfeeding brigade' like we're all some new age hippies that force OUR opinions and ways down other peoples throats.
The truth of the matter is....yes breastfeeding does envoke leaky nipples and soreness, but both of which soon pass and become a distant memory. The benefits to the child must surely out weight this momentry discomfort. At first, you do feel sightly awkward when you're out in public, but there are other, less stated in your article Victoria, delights of breastfeeding.
I feel sorry for you being made to feel guilty if you were not to breastfeed your child. It should be the mothers choice and as long as the baby is happy, healthy and gaining weight at a steady rate then no one need judge!
I believe in informtion and freedom of choice.