>
>. Dear Heather,
>
>You are to be commended on your contribution to the UK Guardian. My
>question is who in the dickens is Clare Byam Cook.
Hi, Royce. She is the author of a book called What to expect when you
are breastfeeding and what to do if you can't, and she also has a
DVD/video called Breastfeeding without tears. I have a feeling the
book is available in the US. You can read more about her here:
http://www.contentedbaby.com/team-Clare-Byam-Cook.htm
She has no breastfeeding teaching/counselling/clinical qualifications
as far as I know, though she is an ex-midwife. If she was still a
midwife, she would be obliged to update her practice (not necessarily
in bf) and to be accountable to her professional body for
re-registration, and if she was working within the health service
she would be accountable to her employers. However, she has built
up a private practice in London and as far as I can see, works
entirely independently. You need to remember that healthcare is free
in the UK, and it is very unusual for someone to engage private care
for breastfeeding...though it is not surprising that some people
seek it out, as they may not get good care from the health service.
When she appears in the press (which is quite often - if you Google
her, you'll find several references) she often lists the names of her
celebrity clients. I assume she has their permission to breach
confidentiality and to use their names in this way. It is of course
important for her to have publicity to boost sales of ber book and
DVD, and it will also help her get new clients.
She is Gina Ford's breastfeeding person on the GF website - Gina Ford
is the UK's 'queen of scheduled baby care', and indeed, CBC advocates
scheduled feeding, and given that standpoint, it is probably a good
thing she is very relaxed about using formula when breastfeeding
isn't sufficient.
> Note that I copied &
>pasted from the Guardian below. Her comments made absolutely no sense to
>me:
>
>Clare Byam-Cook Former midwife, baby-feeding consultant and author.
>
>The simple fact is, most mothers don't understand the practical knack of
>getting a baby to fix on to a nipple and feed, and what they need is a
>midwife or health visitor who will show them how to do it. It's not rocket
>science: what you need to do is shape the breast so it's doughnut-shaped
>rather than apple-shaped, and when the baby's mouth opens you shove her on
>and she starts feeding happily away.
>
>What does she mean, "doughnut-shaped breast"? I can't visualize that at
>all! And I REALLY can't see a baby feeding happily away after she's been
>SHOVED ON! And, there are times when I feel like it is Rocket Science. You
>know, when there are multiples, or neuro problems, cleft lips or palates,
>premature babes or babies that have been given bottles because the newborn
>nursery nurses wanted the mom to "have a good night's sleep".
We are mystified over here, too.....I *really* don't know what she
means by apples and doughnuts. 'Shoving' is or should be anathema to
anyone helping with breastfeeding.
As a journalist myself, I can understand why journalists return to
her time and again. She 'gives good quote' - she uses direct language
like 'shoving' and is vocal about the inadequacies of the help
available to mothers (on which she is largely right). If you are
colourful in your phrases and avoid pulling punches, we like you!
The journalist who did this piece is experienced and accurate, but it
is possible CBC did not say this, I suppose....however, apart from
the apples and doughnuts, I have read similar stuff from CBC on
several occasions. She has a particular bugbear against breastfeeding
counsellors, I am not sure why. I think it is possible that some
mothers may become impatient with counsellors who use listening
skills and person-centred counselling *instead of* rather than *as
well as* helping the mother fix the breastfeeding. They then report
their frustrations to CBC.
Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
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