Just read Fed is Best’s #FedisBest Article about a woman whom, unknowingly, starved her baby in the 1st three months of life and it’s really resonated with me. #FedisBest Starving my baby
After a C-section with my first child back in 2012. I was recovering in hospital for about 4 days. And, let’s be clear, a c – section is an amazing thing a mother agrees to do when she prioritises the safety of her child over her own.
It is not an easy way out
there is no “to posh push”
Anyway…
My milk didn’t come in until day 4 and my colostrum on day 1 was literally a drop, honestly if that! That drop was after 2 midwife’s literally squeezing the life out of my breasts to get something going. Bare in mind my stitches where barely 24hrs old.
My nipples don’t “stick out” in that traditional way (I don’t know the technical term) and at the time they where a size a 34JJ. I had already brought the Medula Breast Pump and practiced the “rugbyball hold” breastfeeding technique recommended for the larger chested of us. I was fully determined to give breastfeeding a go.
So after my breasts producing absolutely nothing and having a screaming, hungry baby in tow I asked for formula.
Which the midwife’s constantly told me it’s not recommended and tried to put me off. Saying that if I start the bottle now breastfeeding would be harder, he won’t latch etc etc
They had 300ml of pre made formula per ward between 8 new mothers because the NHS don’t like to supply it as the fear is that it encourages people not to breast feed. And, let’s be honest, probably cheaper not to have a full supply in the hospital.
After I gave my baby boy the formula on day 2 he was the happiest and most contented baby in the ward. Mind you I had to hobble every 3-4hrs to the fridge to fetch it. Not one midwife helped me with bottle feeding my baby.
The other mothers in my ward where trying to recover from horrific birthing interventions. They where pretty much forced to move, sit up with stitches to feed their baby’s.
I remember the midwife gave me a cup to feed my baby with the formula. This I was told was so he didn’t “get used to a bottle”. I grimaced as I tried to pour the formula into his mouth whilst he kicked my stomach where my scaring was.
To be perfectly clear, although it might not seem so, I fully support breast feeding and I wish I could have done it. So many of my friends have been able to do it and it’s truly one of the most beautiful things to watch and be in the presence of.
I can’t help but think it if I gave myself permission to combi feed or had given “Just One Bottle” during recovery I might have been successful with breastfeeding. But I had been made to feel once the bottle was given then breastfeeding was out.
When I had my second child I made another effort to breastfeed but couldn’t get a latch and, again, my production just didn’t come. Even if it was coming, I was not prepared to let my baby go hungry whilst we waited.
So if you can do it, do it but it just didn’t work for me and I am sick of feeling guilty and ashamed that I didn’t.
I was actually told by the midwife that babies can survive the first few days without much/no feeding. But every once of my body said “you need to feed your baby” I had to trust my gut.
My hospital released this information https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/media/1380/effects-of-offering-formula-milk.pdf regarding formula feeding. It deliberately leads towards a formula “bad” breastfeeding “good” theme. It makes no reference to those of us that need support if breast feeding just isn’t working out. Or signs your baby is starving to combi feed.
So, to be honest, I don’t give a monkeys now, I chose to feed my baby. #FedisBest
I am so glad I have discovered https://fedisbest.org/
Keep up the good work. I fully support this initiative.
The Fed is Best Foundation believes that babies should never go hungry and mothers should be supported in choosing clinically safe feeding options for their babies.
Whether breast milk, formula, or a combination of both – #FedIsBest.
Click here for more here to read more.
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