BBC on breastfeeding

[ailbhe]

Quite apart from all the other issues with the article, the photo they use to illustrate it shows a baby feeding in a way that doesn't look very comfortable to me at all - the latch looks almost symmetrical. That mother's nipple could be being rubbed against the baby's hard palate with every single suck, which will HURT. Also, that latch is ok until about three months, but if it doesn't get sorted out, the demand part of supply-and-demand could get difficult later on.

It's a problem which really only exists because bottlefeeding, which DOES use a symmetrical latch, is so normal - people expect things to enter a baby's mouth that way and the extremely asymmetrical latch which is most effective and most comfortable looks slightly wrong to people who live in a society where most babies are bottlefed all or part of the time, in real life and in the meeeeeeeeeeeeeeja.

Here's the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7867686.stm

Comments

this bit looked hopeful...

[beckyl.livejournal.com]

Dr Sam Oddie, a consultant in the neonatal unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary, is leading the study.

"Once we understand the scale of the problem we can work out what to do about it - how to spot it, and how to act on it," he said.

"But as far as I'm concerned the answer isn't more formula feeding, but increased support for breastfeeding from the outset in the form of counsellors.

"Women who are having difficulties should be monitored and helped - this is something society really needs to invest in."

Re: this bit looked hopeful...

[hilarityallen.livejournal.com]

See, the actual scientist was doing proper research into something that needs investigating. The BBC make it sound like breastfeeding might be dangerous. (I can't possibly comment on the latch issue, as have never tried to breastfeed and don't really understand the mechanics, though presumably I had a reasonable grasp of the suckling part of it at some stage.)

[flybabydizzy.livejournal.com]

I agree, that isn't a latch we're seeing, it's probably a sleeping baby being put on the end of a nipple.
We DO need proper help and encouragement to nurse our babies properly. I hadn't ever really seen anyone breastfeeding before I had my kids - Oh sure, someone huddled in a corner with a baby tucked under her shirt, but not really seen, kwim. Once I'd eventually found a midwife who had actually bf her own children, she was able to help me deal with very large breasts and a very small baby who was too prem to root. I was astonished how far back in his throat my nipple went.
Education and demonstration and naturalising bf has got to be the way. I'm pleasantly surprised the BBC did put the quote from Dr Sam Oddie in the article.