Pushiness came up at a presentation I was at last week. One of our local
paeds - a very nice  young man (makes you feel old when the paeds look like
they culd be your son....) with an interest in breastfeeding was telling us
how they care for the very tiny pre-terms - 24-plus weekers on.

'We strongly encourage the mothers to supply EBM from the start,' he said.
We wanted to know what they say....

Well, the routine is to see the mum and dad while she is in labour, and
prepare them a little for the next few months, pointing out that it might
be a long haul for them and for baby. They tell them it can make a real
difference to the baby's health and *chances of survival* if she gives her
breast milk. She will be giving her baby something unique and protective
that no one can match, and their experience is that babies who have breast
milk are far less likely to have problems, and far more likely to be
healthy long-term.

Yep, as honest and as straightforward as that. He is very, very pushy you
could say, especially  as these mothers are actually less likely than any
other group to have made up their minds to breastfeed.

The vast majority of pre-term mums give EBM, he says, at least for a time,
and many go on for longer - though they often give up when it comes to
taking the baby home, or when the baby actually starts to breastfeed. The
pressure, he says, comes off them, then - which you might argue is a shame.

But of course it is no use being this 'pushy' if you can't follow through
with support - plenty of pumps, supportive and knowledgable staff, privacy
to express, constant encouragement and praise.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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