Hi All,
I was hoping one of the other Brits would discuss this, as I didn't hear
the radio program myself, but I have to comment.

My mother phoned me up with what she considered some useful
"information", regarding breastfeeding, after hearing a phone-in program
on BBC Radio 4. Women were talking about their breastfeeding experiences
(which I *should* be happy about). However, from the report I received
from my mother, it does sound as if quite a few myths and untruths were
exchanged.

My mother said that a lady had phoned-in to say she had breastfed her
baby, but her nipples got covered in blisters. She couldn't cope, so was
going to put the baby on the bottle (this was about day 3). The midwife
did a home visit, and found her in this state and immediately took the
bottle teat off the bottle and placed it over the woman's nipple.
   "Try it now," she said. The woman did and said it was totally
painless. Then the midwife told her to go out and get silicone nipple
shields ASAP, which she did. My mother was under the impression that
nipple shields were this miracle treatment for sore nipples that the
medical profession was keeping secret for some mysterious reason.
   "Your sister could have used them when she got so sore with her first
baby" said my mother. <Groan>

My sister's problem had been good old fashioned positioning and was
fixed in 5 minutes when she actually held the baby properly. I cannot
imagine what harm nipple shields would have done in that situation.

We discussed several other issues, including the theory that fairheaded
women were more likely to have inverted nipples but my mother had at
least got the point that the "support" I am always saying is lacking, is
not about saying "Breast is best", but actually helping women with the
practicalities. Is it just me, or do others cringe when they hear
breastfeeding mothers perpetuating all kinds of myths?

Maybe someone heard the program and can give me an informed opinion.
--
Anna H.
mailto: [log in to unmask]
http://www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna/

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