Susan Potts writes:
>On one hand I am glad they have learned about nipple
>confusion/preference, but sad to see such anxiety. I reassure them that
>if the baby has had a handful of good feedings at the breast, usually an
>occasional bottle with one ounce or so of formula won't do any harm.
I agree, Susan, that mothers who have already given a bottle are not
helped by someone coming along and re-enforcing gloom and doom, and they
need support and affirmation. I think, too, observation suggests that once
breastfeeding has happened successfully, the baby may be less likely to get
'hooked' on the bottle.
But it *is a big deal to give a breastfed baby a bottle* , in any
circumstances.
This is not something hospital staff should be allowed to treat casually.
There are many ways a tired new mother can be helped without another person
giving a bottle - this should be the very last suggestion a health
professional should make, and if the suggestion comes from the mother, then
it should be her informed choice, and she should give the bottle herself.
Hospitals in the UK aiming for Baby Friendly status report that one of the
biggest hurdles is this one - helping other HPs learn how to help and
support tired bf mothers *without* bottles. Once they are given strategies
and training, they can reduce their bottles to almost zero, and those are
soley mother's choice.
>The staff nurses have told me about some parent's NEGATIVE reactions
>and comments after being seen by 2 of the LCs on our staff who stress no
>bottles, no supps X 2-4 weeks. One parent said if all she knew about
>breastfeeding was from that visit, she would not do it.
I would agree with you that this approach is unhelpful. No need to do any
stressing or laying down the law, IMHO. You present the facts and the
research showing that bottles (even one) are associated with early
cessation of bf; you explain the issues surrounding confusion, explaining
that the jury is still out on whether it exists or not after time spent
breastfeeding well; you say what the evidence is about allergy; you outline
how breast milk is the perfect food and drink and how unnecessary formula
is at any time for the vast majority of healthy babies (why pick on 2-4
weeks as a cut-off time?); you explain how babies can be comforted by
bedding in and skin to skin, and that both mother and baby can rest that
way; that challenging days and nights are a common feature of the early
days.
Then you leave it up to them to decide, and ensure that hospital staff are
trained, and policies are in place that support exclusive bf.
Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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