Boob politics.... Mia Freedman article. A must-read.

[SunnyRain]

I have so much to say I'm almost bursting, but I'm not going to say it all, just touch on the surface.

I just want to refer to the bit about the paed saying she should top up for the first 24 hours until her milk came in.

OK, firstly all babies lose weight after birth. If not all, vast majority.

Secondly, her milk might not come in after 24 hours and her baby may lose more weight before it starts gaining.

Topping up with formula starves the breasts from being given the message from the hungry baby to produce milk asap. It would possibly further delay milk production.

If the hospital really cared they should sit with this distraught new mother and help her understand.

That's what's missing in all this talk about breastfeeding. Yes, we get the message breast is best but we are crippled by ignorance and uncertainty, and then the damn medical professionals like this paediatrician give damaging advice and this poor woman (and so so many women like her) doesn't stand a chance.


Edit: I want to add that with both my babies my milk didn't come in until day 5, when I was home from hospital. My dd lost more weight than the supposed acceptable amount, but she was my 2nd baby and I knew this time so I didn't pay it any attention. I didn't know the first time and all that damned advice from professionals ruined everything.

[trishalishous]

I have so much to say I'm almost bursting, but I'm not going to say it all, just touch on the surface.

I just want to refer to the bit about the paed saying she should top up for the first 24 hours until her milk came in.

OK, firstly all babies lose weight after birth. If not all, vast majority.

Secondly, her milk might not come in after 24 hours and her baby may lose more weight before it starts gaining.

Topping up with formula starves the breasts from being given the message from the hungry baby to produce milk asap. It would possibly further delay milk production.

If the hospital really cared they should sit with this distraught new mother and help her understand.

That's what's missing in all this talk about breastfeeding. Yes, we get the message breast is best but we are crippled by ignorance and uncertainty, and then the damn medical professionals like this paediatrician give damaging advice and this poor woman (and so so many women like her) doesn't stand a chance.


Edit: I want to add that with both my babies my milk didn't come in until day 5, when I was home from hospital. My dd lost more weight than the supposed acceptable amount, but she was my 2nd baby and I knew this time so I didn't pay it any attention. I didn't know the first time and all that damned advice from professionals ruined everything.

Well said.
I personally have a condition which impairs lactation, and will probably never exclusively BF my children. This time Im expressing and freezing, so I have some stores this time, and wont end up with a sick bubba again.
I wasnt offered formula in hospital until DD had lost 15% of her body weight, and I still didnt even have colostrum, let alone any milk (we were in 2 weeks, colostrum came day 7, milk day 10, but Ive always had low supply). I think if I hadnt have had as much support (and been stubborn) that Id have switched at birth.
This time I have loads of support, and have contacted the ABA (who Ive found very supportive of mixed feeding) and Im havent bought any formula, as Im trying to exclusively BF (though I will of course if bub loses a serious amount of weight or is FTT)