So sick of statistics?

[Visitor3]

I guess my point ( in regard to BF) in my OP was a woman shouldn't be made to feel guilty if she finds she can't BF via statistics. It promotes guilt and shame when support is most needed. When the MW said to me "Of course you can BF" and "it's in your head if you can't" it made me feel stupid like how could I even have said such a silly thing. It would have preferred her to be a bit more encouraging and perhaps have said something like "our bodies are designed to BF and if you find you can't for whatever reason that you can't then we can provide you with all the support you need to make that transition. And if you still find that you can't, it's not your fault and we can find an alternative to nourish your child". Or something along those lines, YKWIM?

I have to say I ultimately agree that statistics are great......especially when you prove them wrong

[alioops]

Hun, I can BF but my DD2 can't. I don't feel guilty for making the decision to wean her as a very young baby because she was literally dying of starvation. If you or your baby can't BF it will be reflected in their weight gain and their wet nappies. Many babies are gaining weight and weeing and pooing heaps when their mothers think that they can't BF. Breastfeeding is a learned skill and takes a lot of time and patience to learn. When we are sleep deprived we often struggle and give up before seeking help. The first 12 weeks are the hardest, because we are adjusting to a whole new way of life. We just don't notice how well our babies are doing on what they are getting from us, because we see them crying for another reason. More often than not babies are crying because of wind or some other discomfort.

Before giving up BF, seek help. Count the wet nappies each day. Weigh your bub. Those nappies and baby's weight will tell you if you can BF, not what you can express with a pump, and not an unsettled baby. They are unsettled for more reasons than just hunger.

As for the MW you saw, can you change MW to one that you 'gel' with better?

[Visitor3]

Hun, I can BF but my DD2 can't. I don't feel guilty for making the decision to wean her as a very young baby because she was literally dying of starvation. If you or your baby can't BF it will be reflected in their weight gain and their wet nappies. Many babies are gaining weight and weeing and pooing heaps when their mothers think that they can't BF. Breastfeeding is a learned skill and takes a lot of time and patience to learn. When we are sleep deprived we often struggle and give up before seeking help. The first 12 weeks are the hardest, because we are adjusting to a whole new way of life. We just don't notice how well our babies are doing on what they are getting from us, because we see them crying for another reason. More often than not babies are crying because of wind or some other discomfort.

Before giving up BF, seek help. Count the wet nappies each day. Weigh your bub. Those nappies and baby's weight will tell you if you can BF, not what you can express with a pump, and not an unsettled baby. They are unsettled for more reasons than just hunger.

As for the MW you saw, can you change MW to one that you 'gel' with better?

Thankyou for your gorgeous advice and for your understanding way of putting things into perspective. I actually am having my first my darling, so I was talking about other peoples experiences. people who are very good friends of mine and who have spoken to me about the pressures of being made to feel guilty about BF'ding rather than being supported through with understanding. so when the MW I saw said what she said I just thought to myself, hang on a minute? I'm being honest about my feelings at this time as a first time mother-to-be, YkWIM?
I really would LOVE to BF, because IMO, I feel it would be such a glorious bonding experience as well as a wonderful source of nourishment, convenient etc. At the same time....if it turns out to be a completely different experience, with the change in hormone levels, adjustment to a new way of life, sleep deprivation and all the other things a first time mum has to deal with, I definitely will not be judged by people for making a thought out decision to nourish my child. As Hoobley said, she went through a LOT in her change of circumstances in her life at that time and she simply could not focus on BF anymore, and fair enough? I would hate to think that ANYBODY, MW or otherwise would be so harsh as to say to her "Of course you can BF, it's all in your head."
The MW I saw was fine, it was just the BF thing that made me think, mmmm?

Thankyou for your kind words darl.