I had a call from a mother who had been told 'feed on one side until it is
empty and then offer the other side'.

The problem is that people just don't listen!! We have regular updates in
our unit, we take each member of staff through a breastfeeding competancy
tool every year, we do breastfeeding until we're 'blue in the face' but
sometimes a mother comes out with something very similar to this and is
absolutely clear about what she has been told.
Last week it was "my baby is so big, the midwife said I would never be able
to satisfy him so I may as well give formula now" and while observing a feed
where the mother had cracked nipples "The midwife definately told me to
watch for the cheeks - if they weren't sucked in, baby hasn't got enough in
his mouth. So I've been taking him off and putting him on again if they
looked too full!!"
I think sometimes as midwives, we (and I include myself reluctantly) see
ourselves as the 'experts' and the notion of empowerment and informed choice
is all very well but it's nice for women to need you and depend on you. If
mothers (read patients) are too well informed, where would we get that warm
fuzzy feeling of being indispensible from? We might have to get a life...
Feeling bitter and twisted tonight
Hilary RM IBCLC in Somerset UK

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