Breastfeeding – 10 reasons why breastfeeding fail

Breastfeeding is for sure the most natural way to feed your child, but why are so many women struggling and just throws in the towel after a few weeks? Lets look at the top 10 reasons….

Lets start with: 1 Lack of knowledge

Like many new moms think that breastfeeding will come naturally, but back in the day girls use to learn by watching their sisters or aunts. Living in times of today it’s different and the family structure is not what it use to be and children are not exposed to breastfeeding. Some are even given the wrong information in schools. So the only way to learn this is by attending classes (anti natal preferably) or by reading.

So what about 2 Old wives’ tales

This could be one of the fail factors for breastfeeding, the old wives tales and horror stories where breastfeeding ruins breasts and causes bleeding nipples , this can make any women terrified of breastfeeding.

But 3 what if I don’t have enough milk?

There is absolutely no such thing as not enough milk!! All women produce enough milk as long as the baby has full access to the breasts, the more the baby drinks the more milk will be produced, feeding stimulates the milk supply.

Then you will need to change 4 your Attitude

A positive attitude and great confidence in your ability to breastfeed will improve your success in breastfeeding your child. Be surrounded by positive and supportive people. Try to relax and get some rest, tiredness and anxiety can make things more difficult.

Then there is 5 Rigid hospital routines we made that mistake, but will never again. It’s a learning curve 😉

In the past, many hospitals imposed routines and strict rules that suited the hospital staff, but not the mom and baby. Newborn babies need to be offered the breast and the skin-to-skin contact to ensure bonding. Now the long delays in contact between the mother and baby after birth, and the use of supplemental use of bottles and formulas interferes with the start of breastfeeding. Latch with your baby soon after birth and room in for frequent feeding.

I need to 6 Go back to work

4 -6 weeks postpartum the mothers milk will start to settle down and become established. If you return to work earlier you will find it difficult to maintain the milk supply. Not all moms are lucky enough to have a long maternity leave, but some are fortunate to take their baby to work. If not, then they need a lot of support from family and friends if they need to continue breastfeeding. This can still be done by expressing milk at work or home, and then continue the breastfeed routine when they are back home.

what about 7 formulas

This is up for debate!! if you are keen to continue breastfeeding, avoid formulas unless indicated. Don’t give your baby supplementary feeds or water and don’t offer a dummy in the early days.

8 Feeding difficulties

Most feeding difficulties occur due to incorrect latching. Latching a baby sounds simple, but believe me it’s not. If your nipples start to hurt you are doing it wrong and this often makes moms doubt their abilty to breastfeed, a great recommendation is to get this brilliant DVD from Clare Byam-Cook breastfeeding without tears, this will guide and teach the important technique on how to breastfeed, the do’s and don’ts.

what about 9 Advise or is it bad advise

Advise, get this from your doctor, consult a qualified counselor or lactation consultant as there’s a lot of well-meaning but outdated advise out there. In the end, you should be left to find your own feet and trust your own instinct. Your baby will lead the way and guide you to their needs.

What are the 10 Alternatives

Milk formulas are an easy and convenient alternative to “escape” breastfeeding. In the end it’s up to you, but remember breast milk is best for babies. Breastfed babies have a better immune than non breastfed babies!!!

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