I have just come across this article. I found it interesting to hear the womans opinon on what she 'can and cannot eat!'.
I Know it has been made more interesting for a good read, but it got me thinking if all the advice we give to women scares the hell out of them?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/ma...egnancy114.xml

I was talking to a midwife the other day who was asking my views on breastfeeding. We both agreed that we feel often we don't give nature time to do what it does best. Many midwives/HCA's etc often feel the need to touch women when breastfeeding, contorting nipples and moving babies head to the correct position!

Although the above is not the same as the article, I was just thinking that maybe we take away common sense from women and somehow disempower them without even realising. Should we give them just basic dietry advice about what to avoid. Should we be more hands off when helping to breast feed?

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If babies needed hands to guide them out,
wouldn't women be born with an extra pair
attached to their inner thighs?

In my humble opinon we should give women the facts regarding diet, what is best for them to eat and why, and what they should be avoiding and why, I think if you present the facts in a clear and easy to understand way for them, then you are less likely to scare them.

Regarding breastfeeding, I never try to interfere with a woman in the early stages, I stand back and let her try to latch baby on, I will advise her as to positioning etc, but I will let her try first. If I see she is struggling, then I will ask if she would like some help to get started, if she does then fine, I will talk her through what I am doing.....after asking consent to touch her of course. I would never just grab her breast and push it into the baby's mouth, the very thought of doing that makes me cringe. If she refuses my help, then I will not interfere as that is her choice, but I would make sure she knew the offer was there if she wanted it.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

Good points to raise here....I wonder if the way forward is to not be so hands on but to show and advise women with a successfully breastfeeding mother. i.e. sit the new mother alongside a mother who has established a good routine and technique. The best way to learn is by example isn't it - but having a midwife pull out their 'bap' to demonstrate on a doll may not be the way to go (hehe)!! Solution could be simply to put mothers in a group situation while in hospital or on a 1 to 1 basis with other mothers able to pass on technique and show new mums how they manage it. Just a suggestion......

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Now an Unconditional Offer

It is an idea, but to be honest I don't think many new mum's would go for it, they all pull the curtains round when they are breastfeeding after all, and don't feel comfortable not doing.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

Ahhhh I see the fatal flaw in my plan! oh well!

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Now an Unconditional Offer

I think the dietary advice is great, it really helped me in pregnancy, only problem was I craved pate (didnt have any, think that was more a case of cos you cant you want).

As for the breast feeding, and remember this is only based on my views as a mum, there are some hospitals that are not hands on enough. I decided to breast feed for the first time (4th baby), and when she was born they all left me to it, even though they knew it was first time breast feeding, no one checked in 24 hours, and 24 hours later when I was sobbing that I couldnt do it still no one helped, but rather said well it was always going to be hard, only due to my determination did I continue.

Phoenix I have a friend in Lincoln who does go in with her almost six month old baby to the hospital to show new mum's. Also one of the hospitals in middlesex where I had one of my children do the same thing, I think it works because it is women only groups, I think the mum's tend to draw the curtains because of men, children etc walking round, whereas if its all women who all I have a breast out, your all in the same position if you see what I mean?

I have seen this happen even when it isn't visiting time, when there are only Mum's on the ward.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

Please help us raise funds for a bereavement room in Honey's memory by taking part in the SMNET Auction & Raffle here thanks x

There are cases when women don't feel comfortable in breast feeding because they don't know how to. Therefore if they see other women breast feeding their babies they'll feel hopeless and probably even give up.

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Our local sure start centre has a breast feeding club that is run by trained breastfeeding mums, or mums that have breastfed before. It's great

When in community I always encouraged mums to go antenatally to get to know the women who run it and also so they knew what to expect, cos lets face it, it isn't always chocolate and roses!!!
I always try and be very hands off with breastfeeding. I tell the women that they need to find what is comfortable for them and that baby will normally find his/her own way of feeding. I will help position if required (usually post LSCS women who can't move too well), but I always sit with them if they need me to, and I always assure them I'm only a minute away if needed.

With regards to the food, I would advise why they should avoid some foods and explain that in pregnancy we are more at risk of salmonella etc, but I often found women saying things like 'I can't eat any mayo, or tuna'. This often came from articles in newspapers!

I think the biggest no, no is unpasterised food stuffs.
One of the midwives I worked with would advise women to avoid runny eggs, liver, some fish, alcohol, but she would tell them if they were desperatly craving something then a small amount is generally safe. She would always tell them that runny eggs should be the stamped ones that are supposed to be salmonella free.

As for coffee, chocolate, etc she always said again in moderation.


I just think there is a fine line between, healthy advise and too much which will scare them and feel fed up that they can't have this, that and the other.

__________________
If babies needed hands to guide them out,
wouldn't women be born with an extra pair
attached to their inner thighs?

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Second year!
"Don't wonder why people go crazy, wonder how they don't......"