Hi all.

I've been inspired to think about this question after reading something that was posted over at Facebook, the quote about coke/pepsi.....

I understand that there are mums out there who can't/couldn't bf, and I asked this question as a comment.
So to all those mums:
On what basis did you come to the conclusion that you were unable to bf, that you "had no choice"? Was it diagnosed by a Dr/Midwife/Lactation Consultant (trained & qualified)?
On what basis was that diagnosis/decision made?

Please understand that I am asking this question merely to understand the situation, and I am not trying to make some cheap snipe at formula-fed babes and their mums, or implying that you are somehow inferior or uncaring.

As I posted on FB, Chinese Medicine (CM) has recognised the phenomenon of "inability to breast-feed" as a known pathology. This condition is written about both in gynaecological texts and paediatric texts that stretch over the whole history of CM (somewhere close to 2000 years). As a known 'pathology', it therefore also had treatments that included herbal medicines, massage, acupuncture & moxibustion, and dietary therapy (and I believe there may also be some Qigong exercises focussing on this also).

I am curious to hear from those mums who COULDN"T bf - answering the above questions, and also "did you try CM approaches to the problem before going straight to formula or other methods; if so did they work, what were they, etc? If not, why not? Were you aware that CM could help you in that situation? If the same situation came up, would you try CM?

Also, to all those professionals (Midwives, qualified lactation consultants, Drs): do you know how CM can help in these situations? What is the research/evidence out there about the INABILITY to bf? What is the current consensus? What methods/treatments are commonly employed? etc....

I would like to hear from those mums who had the situation come about that they "had no choice" but to use Formula (read= could not breast feed), and I would like to hear from professionals in the field.

I am willing to share what I know about this stuff, but please remember that the core principle in CM is treat the individual, not the condition, so there is never a 'one-size-fits-all' treatment for these things.

Cheers!