Article: Making Money Out Of Breastfeeding Support

[Jo@Iwanttobreastfeed]

You can view the page at http://www.midwiferyonline.co.uk/content/44-Making-Money-Out-Of-Breastfeeding-Support

[Unregistered]

I understand your frustration here. Conflicting messages from people who supposedly "know" what they are talking about does state the case for regulation, and the feeling that good, accurate breastfeeding support and advice should be available free to all is a very worthy ideal to work towards.
I work as both an NHS midwife and an antenatal educator, and also offer breastfeeding education and support privately, so yes, I am one of the "unregulated"! However, I have worked for over 11 years at a baby friendly hospital, throughout the time it applied for, gained and maintained this status. My current hospital is working towards baby friendly, and I have also extended breastfed my boys. I believe my advice and practice regarding breast-feeding is accurate and up to date. I don't sell any breastfeeding "equipment" ( women already have their own!!!). I do charge, though, as I need to cover my own costs and I need to live! I am not making a fortune at the expense of vulnerable women, though I can see how it is possible to exploit women in this situation and would be keen to ensure that women could be confident that all breastfeeding services are operating at least to a set minimum standard of professional competence.

[Unregistered]

Only 3% of woman absolutely cannot breastfeed. regulation is fine but then the regulators state what you Can and CAN NOT say. this is a huge disadvantage. look at the nhs often understaffed and no time to help woman, to effectively latch baby on. which is sad however, having Doulas and breast feeding peer supporters and Breastfeeding councillors, available is a good thing as they are not dictated to by hospital policy of so many hours after birth if not breast feed must supplement, or they may offer a bottle of water etc = nipple confusion.

Charge enough to cover travel to and from your clients and something towards any courses you have taken as what you know is valuable

[JuB]

I am happy to work to the Unicef breast feeding guidelines, however sometimes breast feeding is so hard for women. It is difficult to make women pay for breast feeding advice, that would prevent the women who need advice from obtaining it. Although they have support from the NHS, Sure Start, PCT's and so on. Breast feeding rates are the lowest in the most vulnerable of our society in Britain. That is where we need to concentrate our work to improve Breast Feeding rates, then and only then can we reduce the inequality of health in our society.

'The UK Infant Feeding Survey 2005 (Bolling et al. 2007) showed that 78% of women in England breastfed their babies after birth. However, a third of these women had stopped by week 6 so that only 50% of all new mothers were breastfeeding by week 6 and 26% by 6 months. For more details of the Infant Feeding Survey, please see link: '
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/breastfeed2005.

Breast feeding always reminds me of the song 'it takes two baby.'

One can have a dream baby
Two can make a dream so real
One can talk about being in love
Two can see how it really feels

One can wish upon a star
Two can make a wish come true
One can stand alone in the dark
Two can make a light shine through

It takes two baby
It takes two baby
Just me and you
You know it takes two

One can have a broken heart living in misery
Two can really ease the pain like a perfect remedy
One can be alone in a bar like an island he's all alone
Two can make just any place seem just like bein' at home

It takes two baby
It takes two baby
Just me and you
You know it takes two
It takes two baby
It takes two baby
just me and you
You know it takes two

It takes two baby
It takes two baby
Just me and you
You know it takes two

by Sylvia Moy/William Stevenson

Breast feeding can break your heart and it takes two at the end of the day to make it work, but a well meaning and motivated, educated breast feeding supporter can make the difference. It is worth mentioning that partners have an invaluable role to play in their support of their loved one. Men have over a 60% influence on whether women continue to feed or not.

'A number of studies have found fathers influencing mothers’ decisions to initiate and/or sustain breastfeeding (for review, see Scott et al, 2001). ‘Unpacking’ this research it has been found that support from the infant’s father through active participation in the breastfeeding decision, together with a positive attitude by him and knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding, have been shown to have a strong influence on the initiation and duration of breastfeeding (Swanson & Power, 2005; Arora et al, 2000; Bromberg & Darby, 1997). Low-income women in particular suggest that male support is crucial in their decision to breastfeed (Schmidt & Sigman-Grant, 2000).'
http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2007/fatherhood-institute-research-summary-fathers-and-breastfeeding/

It was fantastic to breast feed my two children and you can overcame the worst cracked nipples. I had badly cracked nipples, by gritting my teeth and my toes, being stubborn and bloody minded that I would SUCCEED regardless of pain, I fed for 8 months and 1 year. It was not easy at first but it was so satisfying to see my babies growing and being nurtured by me and the nutrition my body was making for them. I cannot describe what a privilege this was.

Also there are few policies in Britain today that subscribe to bottle feeding or supplementary feeds unless medically indicated.