What do you think is the biggest barrier to breastfeeding In Australia?

[Ambah]

I agree, that was SO well put Cai. Thankyou!!

[BellyBelly]

smylie, breastfeeding works on supply & demand, so when they have a growth spurt, they do do this for a short time, which increases your supply for their growth spurts. So you will probably find it will settle down soon. These babies are very clever

ETA: Fantastic post Cai!

[Pandora]

gosh now I'm all teary!

[Mum2boy]

Sorry dachlostar, should've said that I had one day where the midwives helped with trying to get him to feed lying down, but he wouldn't latch on, and the only way I could properly see was by sitting up.

[Bathsheba]

QUOTE (Cailin) "We live in an information hungry era and people are just as passionate to share the information as they are to get it. But sometimes that gap that small tiny gap leaves FF mothers feeling like monsters, and BF mothers feeling like hippies or nipple nazi's. When the reality is neither is the reality. So next time someone accuses you of being a nipple nazi, or next time someone accuses you of being uneducated think about what they have been through. Think about their motive. Very rarely do people say and do things because they want you to feel bad. Usually its because they've had a bad experience or because they want to help. And just because you BF/FF doesn't mean you can't support or accept the other side".


Beautifully written Cailin *smile* Thankyou for sharing your story, it must have taken so much out of you emotionally but it expresses such a vital point perfectly. Well done!

[christy]

Cai you are an absolute legand! but I already knew that

[Luvabub]

Wow! I'm really surprised that my post was attacked so passionately. That my decision to do what was best for my baby has been rejected by mothers who breastfed more easily than me. Of course I believe breast is best, all other things being equal. But given my particular set of circumstances, I felt I was making the right decision for my baby by bottlefeeding her. Thank you for the advice about steak and cheese, with the benefit of hindsight, if I can ever conceive a second time I hope I have the stamina that you have. However, I reject totally the fact that any other woman was qualified to make my decision. I knew what life I had to offer her as a breastfeeding mother or alternatively as a bottlefeeding mother. I decided I could manage our life together more effectively as a bottlefeeding mother. I am the first to admit, there's not much 'earth mother' about me and I was in way out of my depth. But I researched the best formulas from various academic sources (not just advertising as one respondent suggested!! Please, give me some intellectual credit, I may not have working boobs, but my brain's all there). And someone else suggested a wetnurse be a more suitable alternative than formula? Please, keep your breasts away from my baby - who knows what would be passed on through a wetnurse's milk? Formula is a hygenic and measured source of (yes relative) nutritional value. But I'd much rather look at the contents of a formula tin (yes including the sugar) and know what (and how much) was in my babies system rather than trust another woman's diet. Please, I hope someone wasn't suggesting that a woman's diet from a third world country would be preferable to formula!! If so, perhaps you should pick up some formula tins because these days the only real difference is the immunity factor. But I totally and wholeheartedly support your choice and effort to breastfeed whether in public or private. Just please respect other women's right to choose and don't cut them down or question their mothering ability. At the end of the day it's not physically obvious whose been formula fed and whose been breastfed. It's a mother's choice, not the baby's because like other issues, the mother knows the best decision to make for her baby because she is the only person able to consider all other factors; eg single mother, return to work, preference about breasts being touched, family support, milk supply, shift work arrangements etc etc etc. And I do agree we need more lactation consultants in hospitals and when we return home from hospital because ultimately I would love the opportunity to breastfeed again, but no guarantees I'll stick with it when this forum very obviously highlights how judgemental successful breastfeeders can be.

[BellyBelly]

Luvabub, I didn't see any attacking at all, only healthy discussion, some people were in agreeance with some points with you there. There is no right or wrong in here, only your experience which I will highlight by submitting this to parliament. Everyone has different levels of experience, knowledge and understanding, and this is where the blow-ups often occur, because we all did what was best for us and / or our baby at the time... so any insinuation that it was otherwise is going to touch a raw nerve. Thank-you for your input Luvabub and I look forward to this being heard in parliament. Perhaps you could also check out the other thread and consider submitting your own story via email to be added to the Inquiry.

[Phteven]

luvabub, I'm sorry that you felt attacked. Your opinion and experience are just as valid as anyone else's. I think that you've just raised a really interesting subject - that we assume that we can know what is in the tin just by reading the label. It's funny that we implicitly trust the companies that make formula to be open and honest and we assume that formula must be hygenic because it comes in a sealed tin. This a quote from an article from The Ecologist called Suck on This

‘If anybody were to ask ‘which formula should I use?’ or ‘which is nearest to mother’s milk?’, the answer would be ‘nobody knows’ because there is not one single objective source of that kind of information provided by anybody,’ says Mary Smale, a breastfeeding counsellor with the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) for 28 years. ‘Only the manufacturers know what’s in their stuff, and they aren’t telling. They may advertise special ‘healthy’ ingredients like oligosaccharides, long-chain fatty acids or, a while ago, beta-carotene, but they never actually tell you what the basic product is made from or where the ingredients come from.’


The known constituents of breastmilk were and are used as a general reference for scientists devising infant formulas. But, to this day, there is no actual ‘formula’ for formula. In fact, the process of producing infant formulas has, since its earliest days, been one of trial and error.


Within reason, manufacturers can put anything they like into formula. In fact, the recipe for one product can vary from batch to batch, according to the price and availability of ingredients. While we assume that formula is heavily regulated, no transparency is required of manufacturers: they do not, for example, have to log the specific constituents of any batch or brand with any authority.


Most commercial formulas are based on cow’s milk. But before a baby can drink cow’s milk in the form of infant formula, it needs to be severely modified. The protein and mineral content must be reduced and the carbohydrate content increased, usually by adding sugar. Milk fat, which is not easily absorbed by the human body, particularly one with an immature digestive system, is removed and substituted with vegetable, animal or mineral fats.


Vitamins and trace elements are added, but not always in their most easily digestible form. (This means that the claims that formula is ‘nutritionally complete’ are true, but only in the crudest sense of having had added the full complement of vitamins and minerals to a nutritionally inferior product.)


Many formulas are also highly sweetened. While most infant formulas do not contain sugar in the form of sucrose, they can contain high levels of other types of sugar such as lactose (milk sugar), fructose (fruit sugar), glucose (also known as dextrose, a simple sugar found in plants) and maltodextrose (malt sugar). Because of a loophole in the law, these can still be advertised as ‘sucrose free’. Formula may also contain unintentional contaminants introduced during the manufacturing process. Some may contain traces of genetically engineered soya and corn.


The bacteria Salmonella and aflatoxins – potent toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, immunosuppressive agents produced by species of the fungus Aspergillus – have regularly been detected in commercial formulas, as has Enterobacter sakazakii, a devastating foodborne pathogen that can cause sepsis (overwhelming bacterial infection in the bloodstream), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) and necrotising enterocolitis (severe infection and inflammation of the small intestine and colon) in newborn infants.


The packaging of infant formulas occasionally gives rise to contamination with broken glass and fragments of metal as well as industrial chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A (both carcinogens) and, most recently, the packaging constituent isopropyl thioxanthone (ITX; another suspected carcinogen). Infant formulas may also contain excessive levels of toxic or heavy metals, including aluminium, manganese, cadmium and lead.


Soya formulas are of particular concern due to the very high levels of plant-derived oestrogens (phytoestrogens) they contain. In fact, concentrations of phytoestrogens detected in the blood of infants receiving soya formula can be 13,000 to 22,000 times greater than the concentrations of natural oestrogens. Oestrogen in doses above those normally found in the body can cause cancer.

With all this in mind I would hope that after this enquiry is completed that one of its recomendations is that formula companies become far more accountable. Mums and bubs who use formula deserve products that are produced in strictly controlled and transparent environments.

[BellyBelly]

That full article is on the BellyBelly website, I have renamed it:

Baby Formula - What Formula Manufacturers Don't Want You To Know.

[Inanna]

I have been trying to read through all of the posts but I haven't yet completed that task...

Firstly Cai what a great post - it brought tears to my eyes because I really know how it feels... Since this is being submitted to parliament I will share my story. I have done so before on BB but here goes...

My first child was a planned home birth. After a long 22 hours I made the decision to transfer to hospital. My contractions were 2 minutes apart from the onset of labour so you can imagine my exhaustion... When we got to hospital I requested an epidural...
The first epidural was inserted too high and caused some respiratory problems in myself... This was removed and a second go was had... This resulted in a "dural tap" - basically a release of cerebro spinal fluid which causes an intense headache... The epidural didn't take but I was left with this incredible pain. In order to push my baby out I needed a nurse on either side of my head to push on my temples - it was the only way I could control the pain...

After my baby was born I requested pethidine for the pain... I couldn't move my head without intense agony... I couldn't lie on my side without intesnse pain. The hospital staff said it wasn't a dural tap - the pain would be much worse. I was discharged the next day... I vomited on the way home due to the pain... My midwife brought nipple shields in a way to attatch my baby whilst I lay on my back. My DH had to help with this each feed. This went on for 7 days... One night my dH phoned a doctor who came to the house who agreed it was a dural tap. I was admitted to hospital that night... Still told it couldn't be a tap and perhaps I had had a mini stroke! What the!!!!
To cut a long story short a professor of anaethetics saw my chart and did a blood patch and within hours I had no headache...

So, you can imagine what all of this did for my breastfeeding... It was HELL... But, like a previous poster I chose to battle on... It was really hard at times and finally I was able to feed like a trooper and my baby was chubby and thriving... We breastfed for almost 3 years... It was so very very difficult in those early days...

What made the difference for me? Well, I had been around the homebirthing movement for a long time so I had lots of support for breastfeeding. Lots of good advice... I had a really supportive partner... I am as stubborn as a mule and I was very educated about breastfeeding... I had continuity of care. I had my own midwife. I didn't have conflicting advice as many women do... I had one professional guiding me...

I lament that women dont' feel supported. I lament that our health professionals at times don't acknowledge just how difficult those first 8 weeks can be... It's not easy. It's a challenge and breastfeeding needs a supportive community to make it work. I am a committed breastfeeder and I do know first hand just how damn hard it can be...

I too wonder what would happen if ABM just wasn't available... But we would need more support... We live in a society that is far from a village for many of us. One where women live in isolation and battle with their fears, their trials and this breeds guilt and a sense of worthlessness. I despair at that. We all love our babies and would lay down our lives for them... We need to show our love and support for women - whatever their choices. I make different ones to some of you but I deserve support just as you do...

There is no argument that breast milk is far superior to ABM - that's a moot point... I know so many women who would have continued to breastfeed if they had been supported. If they had been educated well prior to birth about how it may be tough... If they had continuity of care and no conflicting advice... This is our rsponsibility as women to seek out this information and the responsibility of the health system to aid in that information sourcing...

I found through my experience that I too was judged. I was judged for not using a bottle. So, I think that the judgement happens sadly on both sides. What I needed from those people was support for my decision. NOT to be told that it wasn't that important. It was important for me... In many ways I felt I had failed somewhat in labour I didn't want to fail at b/f as well... (that was my FEELING - not necessarily the reality)...

So, for me one of the main factors inhibiting successful breastfeeding from what I have witnessed is lack of continuity of care and birth intervention...

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I really hate the fact that people who give up on BFing and wish they had continued think that people who do BF have it easy. Tanby, Cailin and Flowerchild's posts show that is not the case! For the first four weeks of Liebling's life I was kicking my feet in pain every time he started a feed, but knew I'd not be able to live with myself if I gave up so quickly. In fact, I had a very pushy midwife in hospital so DS was topped up with formula, but we were able to eliminate that quickly (well, it did help that he hated the formula and vomitted it all up). One of my baby buddies was having to express every feed for a few weeks because of a problem - it takes a lot of perseverence to breastfeed and women who do BF shouldn't be told that we have it easy.

I would rather have formula than a stranger's breastmilk - and it would be expressed, not from the breast - but if I needed a friend's breastmilk I wouldn't hesitate to ask.

Another pet hate, which may seem odd, is the use of the word "boob" or "booby" to do with feeding - I dislike the word anyway, it has a sort of adolescent boy feel about it - but I do think that it sexualises breastfeeding. But "baby likes booby" just sends a shiver down me; if anyone commented on me "boobyfeeding" it would put me right off. I know I'm in a minority of one here, but even women who do breastfeed can be put off or made to feel they are getting some sort of sexual kick from feeding, which you just don't. The word "boob" has been used to me to put me off feeding or to explain why someone doesn't want to BF - "it's my boobs" or "how can you use your boobs like that?" Well, because they're my breasts and designed for breastfeeding, that's how!

BTW, has anyone else been told that if you BF your son he will turn out gay? I fail to see how thinking breasts are great makes a bloke gay LOL.

Anyway, I don't bag anyone for picking formula so long as they don't push formula on me or tell me I find it easy to BF - everyone is individual, but this thread was to find out why people quit on BFing so quickly.

[aussienic]

I think the biggest problem is lack of education but really nearly all of the options are linked to breastfeeding problems.

I gave up breastfeeding my first son at 3 months due to personal reasons. I started supplementing with formula from 6 weeks as I thought he was hungry and I went against my child health nurses advice

My second son was born sick. due to being on medication for seizures he was also very drowsy. Therefore making feeding extremly difficult. It never crossed my mind to feed him formula. He did have supplement feeding in the first day or so but my milk came in and I pumped more then enough. . when we finally came home I tried to feed him from the breast again but he was simply to tired. So from here we expressed full time for 10 months..

My 3rd son was born and Breastfeeding was wel established by day 2. He was a champ. I admit I was a little bad and asked they didn't wake me in the night to feed him as I was so very tired but he only had formula 3 times over our 4 day stay. We have just weaned at 21 months.

[Eugenia]

WOW, when I posted my reply many pages ago I didn't realise this topic would become so popular. I haven't read all responses, only the last few pages, but I feel I need to say a little bit more.

I was also one of the people who fought to get breastfeeding happening. For 5 weeks I struggled with breast refusal, poor attachment, cracked nipples, low supply, pumping every 3 hours day and night, lack of support from everyone except DH, and a very bad LC who didn't know what she was talking about. But in the end I persevered and DD is still being breastfed. So I take offence at anyone who suggests that I breastfeed because it was easy for me and that they had it so much harder. I don't judge women who formula feed and I'd appreciate the same consideration back.

[Jack]

I voted for Lack of Education but this lack of education starts before we even have our bubs. I (luckily) had a natural, drug free birth but I was never advised of the risks of having an epidural (if I chose to have one), induction (which was booked for the following day after I had DD as I had mild pre eclampia) or other intervention during labour and how that may affect my ability to breastfeed, which was not portrayed as that important to begin with.
After I had DD, we struggled for 6 weeks before the problems with attachment were sorted due to a great Lactation Day Stay in our closest large town which was 45 minutes away. My MCHN was (and still is) great and has always been very supportive and well informed and a member of ABA herself. However, many mothers in my little country town don't breastfeed at all due to the lack of education and support in rural areas. I had massive oversupply issues and DD was getting way too much foremilk, was gassy and cried constantly for weeks. MCHN saw me every week to help me through it and the ABA was fantastic for support and information in this area.
Thanks to the ABA, my MCHN and Day Stay DD is 18 months and still BFing.
Our ABA group is slowly dwindling as mums just aren't breastfeeding here. Many mums don't understand how their body works and makes milk and most of the time it seems to be a competiton as to whose baby gained the most weight or sleeps though at 6 weeks of age and my slow gaining poor sleeping BF bub just didn't compare. The amount of times I heard, "just put her on the bottle and get a good nights sleep" or "Just top her up with 40mls formula and she''ll sleep through" was astounding. My friends gave me bottles, packets of formula to try, and advice re bottle feeding but had no idea about breastfeeding. I was made to feed DD in seperate rooms at family functions as to not embarrass the men (and women) and still hear, "Are you still breastfeeding that child?"
If our govt wants more mothers to breastfeed they need to start increasing their funding to support the ABA, education for mums, MCHN's and GP's and offer more trained LC's, especially in rural areas. New mums should also be offered a lengthier stay in hopital after having bubs to ensure that feeding is established and offer education about breastfeeding whilst in hospital.
The more information out there and education women, MCHN and other health professionals receive the more breastfeeding rates will increase, correct information will be shared between friends, more support will be offered from all areas of our lives, including work and family.

[BellyBelly]

With the focus of all the replies being mostly education, obviously more training needs to be going on, all round - midwives, MCHN's, paed's etc... or at least referrals to LC's - but in order to prevent the conflicting advice scenario which is a huge complaint as well from many new mothers, there needs to be training provided by one body, who can voice the same message to all - they can teach in uni's, wherever... and I think this needs to be the ABA. They have training already established, they have procedures and protocols and can deliver one message. I think the ABA should be sufficiently funded so that they can fund educators to teach in all scenarios and as someone else mentioned, outreach programs as well as schools too. But it would be great to see one voice teach a generation and beyond.

I just keep getting more and more ideas reading your posts, this has greatly helped my presentation, thank-you so much for stirring up my thoughts, the opportunities are endless. I don't see a hopeless situation for breastfeeding, I am excited as there are so many things we can do. We could be the shining example on the world of how it can be.

[Lil_Pearl]

Lack of education not only for mothers to be, but also for professionals (midwives, obs, GP's, MCHN's (ESPECIALLY), Paed's). There are currently too many trains of thought...

I completely agree. A good lactation consultant is hard to come by.....and most midwives have no breastfeeding knowledge what-so-ever. There is also far too much an attitude of "everyone can breastfeed" among people who are supposed to be professionals, and so people with true physical inability to breastfeed or to breastfeed exclusively are simply being shunned instead of getting the support they need, whether it be to continue trying on the breastfeeding journey or to let it go if need be. "Just drink more water" simply ain't gonna do it!

[MantaRay]

Kelly, I think that's a great idea about the ABA training health professionals. It's important that if something like this was to be introduced, that it is for all health professionals, those already practicing, not just new graduates. Otherwise it would be a long time before we would see a difference.

I do really hope that all these ideas and sharing of experiences make a difference. As some of the posters have pointed out, some women will always choose formula. Also, some women will bf easily with no problems. But the vast majority of new mums will either struggle against the odds to bf, or give up when they really did want to succeed with bfing. There is so much that could be done to change this situation, with huge benefits.