It makes me sigh when anything that differs slightly from a very narrow
definition of average is used as an excuse to supplement.

I bet we all know the score:

Big baby? You can't possibly have enough to feed him - you have to supplement

Small baby? This baby needs calories *now* - you have to supplement

Sleepy baby? Get some formula into this baby quick and wake him up!!!

Wakeful baby? You can't satisfy him on breast milk - give formula

Baby won't latch straight away? He needs formula

Baby really keen to latch and to stay there? Give him formula, too...

UK figures show almost half of all bf babies are supplemented in hospital -
when the average hospital stay is about two days, which means you have to
be pretty quick to get a bottle into the baby before the mother goes home.
Most of the mothers who contact me whose babies have been given formula in
hospital know it was probably *not* a great idea, but they found it hard to
say no.


Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK
mailto:[log in to unmask]


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