Hello all this is a subject that very much interests me and I thought I would add a bit. When my daughter was born i breastfed for 6 months. It was a very brilliant experience and helped me to form a strong bond. I have to say I had no problems that any of you have have and feel for you. Although my midwife didn't man handle me my mother did and even that made me feel exposed so I can understand how bad that made you feel. I definately do not agree with the manhandling thing I feel it is intrusive. It is a job as a midwife to inform and support not judge or force. My midwife and health visitor did this for me by congratulating me on carrying on I even got a cetificate lol. Yes breast is best but as said so many times before happy healthy mother is more important as happy mother happy baby. I feel more emphasis should be put on support I definately hope to in the future run a breastfeeding support group, but first i want to become a midwife one thing at a time lol.

__________________
Gemma Davey
student midwife 2008
UCLAN

11 years ago when I had my son, ( a mere 11 pounds and 6!!) he didnt want to breastfeed. At the time I did not think to ask about an alternative. I sat there for 6 weeks trying in vain to breastfeed him...it then turned into horrendous postnatal depression which lasted ages. I thought I was a failure as a mum, wife mother etc and thought I would NEVER be able to breastfeed. When I turned to formula (thanks to my mum shouting at the Health Visitor "Just LOOK at her"! meaning me) my life was transformed.
When I had my daughter in 2000, she took to the breast immediately and the feeling was one of pure elation and joy. I couldnt believe it.

I have been accepted into Brighton for Sept 2008 and this is one of the areas I will focus on when I am a midwife. I ,even now as an MCA can spot the mums struggling with breastfeeding but cant do much except give as much support as I can.

Breast is Best only when it works for both Mother an child. Thats my motto - Thanks for reading!

__________________
42 Feeling 92 - as you can see. By the way - I am totally and utterly in love with Gene Hunt (from Life on Mars). Why?

It's a shame we have to make such 'big' thing about breastfeeding - it's a natural follow on from pregnancy. We are just so conditioned out of it in our culture.

Breastfeeding does impact - no-one else can do it other than the mother until it is established and that will take time, patience and determination.

We don't see babies being breastfeed publicly very often or even necessarily within our own family - how many of us went upstairs to feed - out of the way of visitors, destined to feed in toilets whilst out shopping before feeding and changing rooms became more available. The more brave of amongst us did feed in the corner of coffee shops or on park benches. Fortunately things are starting to change.

We don't all have an extended family willing to support the partner/household chores/other children so we can give ourselves over to breastfeeding for a couple of weeks.

To be able to do it straightaway with no prior experience and knowledge is setting ourselves up for a fall - shame. That we place such high expectations on ourselves in all aspects of our lives is sad. I have heard a lot of women say how they 'couldn't' breastfeed - there are few women who truly can't.

Finally, I think that the 'breast is best' saying should be banned.