Breast and Bottle Feeding
I help and care for many new mothers’ in my acupuncture practice in helping and supporting them in caring for themselves and their babies feeding the baby whichever way works for both mother and child.
If a woman decides not to breastfeed her baby it is her choice and must be respected.
There has been much press recently about the pressure new mothers are put under about the way they feed their newborn baby.
Yes ‘breast is best’ if you have the milk, the energy, the ability, the support, it is then a dream as you do not have the bother of bottles.
On the other hand, if you are not able for whatever reason a mother is not able or makes the choice not to, or to do mixed feeding.
Both choices are perfectly acceptable we are privileged to have the opportunity to make these choices.
Whatever a mother decides on she must be supported and not judged.
I had a patient who was unable to breastfeed and stopped going out because she felt so judged by general society. She became isolated and depressed because of this. New mothers are vulnerable if it is their first or subsequent children.
An informed choice must be promoted.
Some mothers can experience unacceptable levels of pressure however they feed their babies – from family and friends, as well as from people they hardly know.
Mothers who breastfeed their babies often feel pressurised and constrained about whether, where, how often, and how long they breastfeed. Similarly, mothers who use formula milk often feel judged or guilty too, particularly – but not only – if they planned to breastfeed.
Researchers at Liverpool University studied the experiences of more than 1,600 new mums in 2016. Among the 890 who did formula feeding, 67% reported feeling guilty, 68% felt stigmatised and 76% felt the need to defend their feeding choice.
We do not need to feel guilty about how we feed our babies, as long as you love and nurture your baby to the best of your ability and the mother is supported and cared for to it will all work out in the end!
The closest milk to human milk is goat’s milk; as cow’s milk is difficult for a baby to digest (we do not have five stomachs!). Cow’s milk can make a baby have catarrh, be chesty, even said to asthmatic also can have stomach and constipation problems.
So give the best you can for your baby for more information;- http://www.nannycare.co.uk/about/
For traditional five element acupuncture treatment and support during pregnancy and after as a parent contact ;-https://www.southwellacupuncture.co.uk/contact/