Refreshing talk today with HV's regarding BFing

[Raven24]

But some women in the antenatal period already know that don't want to BF. BF may be the natural and it should be seen as normal. But even so some women simply don't want to and to make a decision in the antental period about BF or FF then they need all the information to make it an informed choice. It is about empowering patients not dictating what information they can and can not have x

I understand that but if you really didnt want to breastfed then wouldnt it be better to ask the hv about formula etc rather than doing a talk it there might be 10 women in a group and only 2 who dont want to bf so they xould ask for further info on ff. I dunno its hardto view it from anothers point pf view if youve not been in that siuation i guess.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Even if they ask their HV the HV is only allowed to give very limited info. They can't recommend and FF eg one that is kinder to babys stomach etc
x

 

[Laura2919]

But why cant they discuss both BF and FF? why because I chose formula should I have to ask but you because you chose to breastfeed will get advice without asking? Leaflets should be given for both breastfeeding and formula feeding, we all have our own mind and if we are armed with the right information then we can make an informed decision whether we want to breastfeed or formula feed and what is best for mum and baby, not everyone wants to breastfeed and not everyone can breastfeed.
I back formula 100% because without it my girls would of probably had a really depressed mum. I struggled with expressing milk and although I think breastfeeding is the natural thing to do formula is there as a back up plan. Its not there to make breastfeeding mums fail its there as a back up if needed. I am sure in an ideal world we would all breastfeed and do all the natural things but this isnt an ideal world, this is life.

 

[JASMAK]

I agree some mothers don't actually want to breastfeed and that is a choice they have the right to make. Yes breastfeeding is natural and has amazing benefits but if a mother chooses not to bf that should be respected and supported by giving relevant information x

yes, I agree with this...it shoudn't promoted at all (my opinion) but if it is chosen, they should be given support and information and not be shunned.

 

[aliss]

Take me, for example. I'm lucky to have you all. But I live somewhere that I don't speak the language and when strangers phone the house, they often hang up on me because I can't communicate. I can't read my son's nursery leaflets until my OH comes home and translates me. Do you know how many women with reading problems or don't know English face this challenge in your neighbourhoods each day? Have you ever gone to a nurses' office and been unable to speak with the nurse because you can't speak her language? Have you any idea how much I need to rely on my dictionary and picture diagrams to get through my daily life???

Our baby books here have about a 25 page spread on breastfeeding and under formula feeding, it says, 'consult a doctor'. That's it. I don't really agree with that. Simple pictures and instructions for those who choose to do so would be very useful. You all know how to read the back of a tin, sure, but you might be forgetting that many mothers don't speak that language, can't read, are disabled, or simply don't understand the language even if it is their first. It can be confusing. Accessible proper health care is even more important when it comes to the health of a newborn.

Dr. Sears Baby Book is a good example of how to promote breastfeeding while providing safe advice about FF. The book makes it VERY clear that breastfeeding is the best option but that should someone choose to do so - they can read the chapter on "how to bottle-feed with love and safety".

 

[Blah11]

https://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/Feedingbabyhome.aspx

 

[Blah11]

https://www.nhs.uk/Planners/birthtofive/Pages/bottle-feeding.aspx

honestly, thats quite a lot of info on bottle feeding. Goes to show the info is there courtesy of the NHS if you look/ask.

 

[charlotte-xo]

not everyones got access to the internet though and to be fair i just dont see what the harm is in giving people a leaflet on formula feeding if thats what you want to do. If youve already decided BF's not for you then why
Its not promoting it in anyway its giving the facts for people who want and need them. It can be really dangerous making formula up incorrect and even though there's instructions on the back of the box which to be fair do the job but the WHO guidelines give in depth info on how to safely and correctly premake feeds, store them how to feed when out and about etc..

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I agree information on BF is readily given out so should information on FF, it isn't about dicatimg what information mothers have access to it's about support. Also like someone pointed out no everyone has access to the internet. Books are all well and good but some books advice does not go by current guidelines etc
x

 

[Blah11]

No but people are saying MWs/HVs arent allowed to discuss it with you when they clearly are. They cant give opinions on brands or anything for obvious reasons and they probably dont do it in antenatal classes cos they want people to BF but if you ask at an appointment, theyre allowed to tell you.

 

[Laura2919]

Its about having leaflets and information not about searching the web. What are health visitors for if they pretend bottle feeding doesnt exist until its mentioned by a mother.

I have said it before. I would rather a baby be fed by a bottle properly than by a breast and the mother isnt happy with it.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I worked with them for 6 weeks and I had to read their policies, procedures etc in teams meetings it was made clear that FF information can not be given out and if asked about they have to give limited information.

We visited a baby with colic the baby was already FF and the mother asked what sort of bottles could reduce the risk of colic and what milk. The HV said she can't really say and to talk to a pharmarasist, on the way home she said aptamil would have worked wonders with that baby and probably a different style of teat. She knew the info yet she wasn't allowed to give it to a mother who really needed the support. x

 

[Blah11]

Im not surprised they arent allowed to promote a brand :\

 

[charlotte-xo]

the thing is though aptamil comfort can work wonders for refluxy colicy babies yet some mothers struggle on with just normal aptamil because they dont even know about the comfort, its not promotion its giving information. If the mother was using normal stage 1 cow and gate then they could be pointed towards cow and gate comfort. I didnt even know that you could get different sized teats until someone on here mentioned it to me. Theres alot more to ff than just making up a feed. Its just information at the end of the day its not turning mothers to be who are wanting to BF towards FF its giving women who have already made their decision to ff the information that they should have in order to ff.

 

[Blah11]

I know but the last thing the NHS needs is to be sued by a huge formula company!

 

[charlotte-xo]

I know but the last thing the NHS needs is to be sued by a huge formula company!

didnt think about that one

 

[Tasha]

They are allowed to discuss it with you, but the problem is that they are worried about where information ends and promotions begins, no one wants to get in trouble for promoting things when they didnt mean to.

I have had five babies now (at four different hospitals in London) and never recieved a leaflet about it, and I didnt know to ask for one because I didnt even know they exsisted, lol.

I had a friend who was putting x amount of scoops into the bottle then adding the water until 5 ounces or what ever, which means there was probably too much formular per ounce. I also had some babies when the guidelines were to make up all the bottles at once and just heat up, no one told me the guidelines had changed and well tbh I was stupid and didnt look at the tin because I had done it all before, iykwim?

 

[Mindy_mini]

I think that formula should NOT be promoted in any way. When I first got pregnant, I barely thought about BFing...I was just going to bottle feed. But, then I received so much information from the staff at the hospital, the health nurses, prenatal classes..I knew then it was the best thing for my baby.

Sorry jasmak, I'm not picking on You specifically here but I donfeel really strongly that more needs to be done to give women informed choice. How do you know bf is best for your baby I you haven't received ALL the information about bf AND ff?

I find it shocking how opinionated and narrow minded people who sucessfully breastfed can be. We arent all successful. I had to start mix feeding because my baby was starving in front of me. I had knowledge because I'm training to be a mw BUT 6 days after giving birth with my own baby, all my knowledge meant nothing - all rational thoughts went out the window. I couldn't remember the basics - others who didnt have my background just wouldn't have known.

For some, breast feeding doesn't work, for others they don't want to. Why should they be denied this information the could potentially make the difference between a baby being fed safely or dangerously???

FAR too much pressure is placed on women to breast feed. Having a child comes with a massive bucket of guilt and worry and to have to actually ask for information on basics such as feeding only adds to that guilt. I struggled to come to terms wih giving my dd formula because of a comment made to me about how bf is SOOO much better for dd but in reality, she is thriving now. Shes advanced for her age, she's healthy - healthier than the child of someone who lectured me on how much better bf is for her.

So in response to the opening poster, I totally agree that a balanced view of both should be presented - risk and benefits of each - to allow a woman to make and informed choice.

 

[leighbaby]

Gosh - even though the OP didn't intend a FF vs BF debate...it was kind of inevitable.

There is plenty of info on making up a feed for a bottle on the packs/in the leaflets you get through the door if you sign up for pretty much anything.

Giving the FULL story on BF and FF would take a very long time and tbh, it would show exactly how bad FF can be, so FF mums would probably feel even worse and have more anxiety?!

 

[Laura2919]

And exactly how bad is formula feeding thats laughable! Its funny that a BF'er would say that

Anyway, I see the point about promoting but as a HV it is your job to help mothers and babies and if a baby is screaming in pain and there is a formula that could help then I dont see that as promoting, I see that as caring for the poor little bubba in front of you crying its little heart out because it has a pain.