Overexposure?

COMMENTS

1. At 19.58 on 16 July 2010, a midwife and mother wrote:

I think Miss Van Outen has given up at the earliest hurdle as do many other women. I feel sorry at her shortsighted and ill informed view that she 'didn't have enough milk.' Perhaps if she had researched breastfeeding sufficiently prior to birth she would have understood the physiology of it, and how it works. I think it is very sad that she gave up so soon. It is a pity that she was not informed of a newborn's (normal) feeding behaviours, and was not given the correct information by her health professionals. However, I would suspect it was more a case of it was too demanding, and too much like hard work!!

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2. At 02.32 on 17 July 2010, Jenny wrote:

Such a shame if she did not get support. It just shows how much pressure can influence new mothers in their choices. I hope she has made her decision with support and information.  It is a blessing to be supported and feed normally. Good luck to her in her life journey.

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3. At 12.01 on 17 July 2010, Alison Blenkinsop wrote:

I have come across many mothers who fear feeding in public, because BF is still tricky even when they're ready to start going out. This is nearly always because they haven't had the right support. They can't imagine being able to feed outside the home without a lot of hassle, and therefore exposure. Also, many mums (naturally) mask their disappointment and feelings of failure by finding various reasons for stopping BF (as Denise's story suggests). They often don't realise that the real reason was lack of support, or the undermining of confidence in BF by various things, such as professional ignorance and formula promotion. So this lack of support isn't tackled, or complained about.

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4. At 22.29 on 17 July 2010, anonamous wrote:

I am now a qualified midwife but trained in Scotland, and throughout my training the way in which GTT are carried out changed in method in 2008. Lucozade is no longer used, it has been replaced by a sealed container of glucose which is mixed to a measured amount of water to ensure the exact amount is given to a woman who has fasted from midnight. The test is carried out at 9am the next morning and blood tests taken before the drink and 2 hours afterwards. The woman will be offered a snack box and a hot drink and all efforts made to ensure the woman has eaten before leaving the unit. The woman will be contacted at home by the community midwife as soon as the result is made available. I can only assume that there are many trusts that still continue to Lucozade and there has been some misunderstanding to its methods in this situation.

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5. At 11.13 on 19 July 2010, a midwife wrote:

I find it sad but also typical that someone like Denise gave up breastfeeding so early. It is interesting that most midwives here assume that she did not receive enough support and immediately almost take the blame for Denise's decision. Personally I think she chose to give it up because it was inconvenient. Even if she had chosen not to breastfeed in public she could have expressed milk to give in a bottle or mixed fed as many women do who are uncomfortable to breastfeed in public. Where I come from there is little support with breastfeeding, yet women just get on with it and I never had a problem breastfeeding in public, and yes, I am European – in fact German.

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6. At 13.24 on 19 July 2010, a Mary (midwife) wrote:

I feel very sorry for every breastfeeding mum who has to give a reason why she gave up breastfeeding. We live in a country that gives women choices, therefore it was her choice. I tell all breast feeding mums that as long as she feels that she has good support and has made her decision based on information given by her attending health professional then it is HER choice. Women feel guilty enough without others making comments on their decision. One feed, one day, one week is sometimes all that women can offer their babies, and we should congratulate them for this.

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7. At 08.46 on 20 July 2010, Joanne O'Hare wrote:

I totally agree with Mary (19th July 13:24). We should respect the choice that the woman has made. Why should she have to justify her decision to anyone? We can only do our best to promote breastfeeding and offer support and encouragement but I disagree totally with the fact that Denise Van Outens choice has been so publically ridiculed.

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8. At 16.51 on 20 July 2010, Linda Arnold wrote:

The comment from the midwife who said German women 'just get on with it' says it all to me. That's what british women have to do to change our society's attitude. Sadly until we see women breastfeeding as common place, nothing will change. Changing opinion takes an extremely long time but can be done through discourse and example and what we need is women to stand up and say this is what I will do for my baby's health sake.

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9. At 13.13 on 4 August 2010, Midwife Leics wrote:

It was Denise's choice to give up and midwives especially should respect this - whatever the reason – not condemn her!

Feeding in public is a problem for some mothers and not for others – everyone is different. I think we should applaud her for trying to breastfeed for three weeks.

I do wish celebrities and soaps would promote breastfeeding in a more positive light though – it always appears to be the negative aspects rather than the successes that are focused on.

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10. At 15.56 on 14 August 2010, Rayner Garner wrote:

There are many baby slings on the market which have a long tail which will cover the breast when feeding. You can hold one hand under it to balloon it out so as to give your infant some air as well. Or as an alternative a cloth diaper or piece of cloth. My wife used a very pretty piece of batik, before she designed the wide tail type of baby sling. Go on to the internet and click on any one which gives details of such slings.

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11. At 00.12 on 15 August 2010, Midwife from London wrote:

Breastfeeding is not for everyone, in public or private.