Poor girl. Sounds like an awful experience for her. Personally, I think that if the midwife really told her not to bother b/f and giving her a vague meaningless explanation that it "would take too much out of her", then your friend should report her for not doing her job properly. That is really slack and unprofessional. Young mothers (well, all mothers really, but especially inexperienced ones ) should be given encouaregement and support, rather than having their confidence undermined. So ff wouldn't take anything out of her? I'm sure anyone who uses formula would tell you that feeding a baby it hard work, no matter how you do it. Being a mum "takes it out of you". That's how it works, and it is only with adequate support from those around us that we manage. Personally, I think bf takes a lot less out of you that ff...

I would recommend that your friend rings the ABA on 1800 mum 2 mum and gets some proper advice.