To help customers with their product choices, we are starting the task of gathering some product reviews for all of our products. It would be great if anyone who has used/are using any of the products we sell, could leave a short review (good or bad!) in the discussion area of our Facebook Page. The aim is to put reviews on the website under the product description.
There is a product list on the discussion page to save you trawling the website!
By Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths, on January 1st, 2011
Imagine if – just for a day – you couldn’t wash the dishes, take a shower, water the house plants, wash your hands/ teeth or use the washing machine. These are just a few of the things we take for granted in our privileged part of the world. We have safe, mains water piped to our homes. It comes on with the flick of a switch or the turn of a tap. We look on with pity at the TV pictures of those less fortunate than ourselves, the women queueing for water at a pump and washing their clothes in rivers. We remind ourselves that we are fortunate because in the Western World this is not something we have to deal with:
‘Unsafe drinking water, along with poor sanitation and hygiene, are the main contributors to an estimated 4 billion cases of diarrhoeal disease annually, causing more than 2.2 million deaths worldwide. Of these, some 1.5 million occur in children under five.’
Apart from the other risks associated with formula feeding of infants, it is an accepted fact (even amongst those who use formula) that the risks of powdered formula milk is increased hugely when the water supply is poor. I have often heard people (including my own relatives) say
‘formula is fine, it’s only a problem in the Third World where they don’t have clean water’.
But we don’t live in the Third World though, do we?
So that’s ok then….
Unless – like me, you live in the ‘developed world’ and still don’t have a clean water supply.
I haven’t had water in my home since 26th December. My neighbours haven’t had it since the 22nd. You might think ‘sure that’s no big deal, brush your teeth with bottled water and fill up at your neighbours house’. Yup – that’s what I thought too. Thing is, my neighbours are off, my family too, and the shops have sold out of bottled water. I can no longer get through to the water board and their website is down. We were promised a delivery of ‘emergency water’ on the 27th, but of course nothing arrived. The last time I spoke to someone from the Northern Ireland Water Board their advice was to collect snow and rainwater.
This is a photo of every pot and pan I own filled with water. That was before it went off. My husband thought I was mad.
I have no idea when it will be fixed. Not only have the mains pipes burst due to extreme weather here over the past couple of weeks, but when that happened somehow local reservoirs also ended up being drained. Unlike years ago, our town no longer has a functioning well (of course not, that’s positively primitive isn’t it?) – so we literally have nowhere to turn. To be honest it’s a total nightmare, and not for the first time I thought about the realities of trying to formula feed a young baby in such a situation.
’About 80% of the world’s population lives in areas where the fresh water supply is not secure, according to a new global analysis. Researchers compiled a composite index of “water threats” that includes issues such as scarcity and pollution.’
The chances are, that if you’re reading this blog, you probably live in one of the ‘high stress’ areas of this map. I confess this map shocked me but like many things I was able to push it out of my mind when I first saw it… However, nothing brings the realities of water stress home to you more than wondering how you’re going to cope without water for an unspecified amount of time.
My daughter is two years old, and so far she has been able to have water from a safe source throughout this ‘wet drought’. I am very lucky! I could boil rainwater for her and make it ‘safe’, but I don’t know exactly what chemicals that rainwater will contain.
‘Fine particles or soot, a large fraction of which are formed from the same gases as acid rain (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide), have been shown to cause premature deaths and illnesses such as cancer and other diseases’ ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain
If I were formula feeding a young baby, quite frankly I’d be very worried. Not only have the supermarkets here sold out of bottled water – they’re also very low on pre-made formula. Even when they do have some left, it isn’t going to necessarily be the right brand, and babies react differently to different brands…
It’s just a minefield. It’s not something many mums consider when they’re struggling with breastfeeding, but I can’t help but wonder how many new mums here in Northern Ireland are struggling to sterilise and make up clean bottles for their babies?
Was it even a consideration for anyone when they took the decision to stop?
I KNOW it’s not easy to breastfeed sometimes, and good support and advice is so often not there when people need it – but global warming is a reality.
We may well face increasing strain on our vital water supply. We can no longer look out of our ivory towers and down our noses at the third world where formula feeding is more dangerous, since we are facing the same problems. I can’t help but feel that we, in the west, have become complacent. We have no idea how to treat our planet and we think we’re invincible. The truth is, it only takes a few days of sub-zero temperatures to leave thousands of homes without water in the UK. I would put money on it happening again too.
Personally, I’d like to see a few more of these:
I have lots of empty bottles and buckets here as well as a wheelbarrow to put them all in. I just have nowhere to fill them up. Once I finish this post I’ll ring my sister to see if she had any luck getting water out of my cousin’s well. It’s located in the yard of an C18th farmhouse and it was dug long before anyone took our natural resources for granted.…. Back then everyone breastfed, they grew their own food, made their own clothes and were self-sufficient. We have lost all of this resourcefulness.
I am, however, seriously considering buying a wood-burning stove with a couple of hot plates on the top before next winter. We seriously need to rethink our priorities and get some balance back into our way of living.
The biggest irony in all of this? My wifi is working perfectly. The phrase ‘fur coat and no knickers’ springs to mind!
*ETA – my water supply was restored after 72 hours. How fantastic it was to fill up the dishwasher and press the button…..! How fortunate are we? However, I am aware that elsewhere in the province, thousands STILL DO NOT have any clean water! This is a link to a news item broadcast two days ago which I shared with members on our Facebook group. I think it shows clearly how serious the situation is for many formula feeding families in this part of the world. Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the UK by a considerable margin. I wonder how many mums wished during this crisis that they were still able to breastfeed?
Most of all, I will be very interested to see if - during this time of water-poverty - breastfeeding rates go up here in Northern Ireland, however temporarily.
We hope everyone has had a fantastic Christmas! As it’s that time of year we have decided that in addition to our current special offers, to reduce the price of many of our Breast Pumps. We have a sale on all our Medela and Lansinoh Breast Pumps and the majority of our Avent Pumps. Come over and have a look!
Twelve Days of Breastfeeding
(Sung to the tune of. Twelve Days of Christmas)
by Kelliann Mendez (breastfeeding peer counselor)
On the 1st day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 2nd day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
two full breasts, and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 3rd day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 4th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
fewer doctor. visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 5th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
LESS ALLERGIES!, fewer doctor. visits,minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 6th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Zero constipation; LESS ALLERGIES!…fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 7th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
teeth and jaw development, zeroconstipation, LESS ALLERGIES!… fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 8th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth andjaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!… fewer Dr. visits, minimized jaundice, twofull breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 9th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
skin to skin comfort, reduced risk ofbreast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!… fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 10th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
decreased chance of diabetes, skin toskin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!… fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase
my immunity!
On the 11th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
bonding and loving, decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zeroconstipation, LESS ALLERGIES!… fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and
colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the 12th day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Higher IQ, bonding and loving,decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!… fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two
full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
From: www.lisarosscenter.org
If you’ve enjoyed reading The Food of Love we hope you’ll pass on the word…
And with this in mind we’ve put together a special offer exclusively for friends, family and fans of Kate Evans.
Between now and 17th December 2010 you can buy the book for the special stocking filler price of £10 (free p&p)
Just send a cheque, made out to Myriad Editions, with your name and address, to:
The Food of Love Special Offer
Myriad Editions
59 Lansdowne Place
Brighton
BN3 1FL
If you know anyone else who would appreciate this limited offer, please feel free to pass this on.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas from everyone at Myriad Editions.
For more information, visit www.MyriadEditions.com or email info@myriadeditions.com
Its bigger, better with lots of links to breastfeeding friendly information!
We hope you like the new features – buying should be even easier with a new streamlined checkout page, and the navigation has been completely revamped.
You can now search for that perfect bra by colour, brand, size and style!
Why the new name?
As the business has grown and developed we have realised that we have outgrown our Butterfly Babies Ltd name. Increasingly, due to our expanding range of maternity & nursing bras, we are focusing on providing services and products to support both pregnant and breastfeeding mums rather than the babies themselves.
We needed a new name to reflect what we do!
“Cariad Mam” is a welsh phrase that can be translated roughly as “Mother Love“. It encompasses both the love a mother gives to her child as well as a love and support for mothers themselves. Here at Cariad Mam we aim to support the mother, through our quality maternity and nursing products and our pregnancy and breastfeeding information, so that she can love and support her baby.
We are based in Cardiff, Wales where we offer a home fitting service, but we cover the whole of the UK through our website. If you are outside our home fitting area and require more information on any of our bras, or help in choosing the right style or size for yourself then please contact us by email or phone 0771 3180416 to speak to Emma, our experienced bra fitter.
If you’d like to treat yourself to some new nursing bras (or prod your partner into treating you for Christmas) then we are offering Lactivist readers a 10% discount on all products until the 14th December – just enter the code LACTIVISTCHRISTMAS in the checkout. Free postage on all orders!
Wow, I can’t believe it’s nearly Christmas already! To celebrate, here at BoobBaby we have a bumper lot of Special Offers available for December:
Avent Manual Breast Pump was £21.99 now £19.99
Dreamgenii Breastfeeding Pillow was £34.99 now £32.99
Emma-Jane Extra Long Nursing Vest (822) was £15.99 now £14.99
Emma-Jane Nursing Bra (361) was £9.99 now £8.99
Lactivist “Mummy Milk Rocks” Short Sleeve T was £11.99 now £9.99
Lactivist Knot Hats (both designs) was £6.00 now £5.00
Medela Freestyle Double Breast Pump was £210 now £200
Medela Hydrogel Pads (4 pk) was £8.99 now £8.00
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was £11.99 now £10.99
For more information please check out our Special Offers page. I am also preparing our Christmas newsletter which I’m hoping to send out at the beginning of next week. Subscribers receive exclusive offers, so if you would like to sign up, please register on the website.
If you have a picture of your child in a Lactivist t-shirt in an Xmassy setting, with an Xmas hat on or reindeer horns or tinsel….. I’d love to make a compilation of Lactivist Xmas Children of the Week.
They don’t have to be babies – Lactivist t-shirts go up to age 4 but I can’t think of a better way to put it than Lactivist Baby of the Week!
Please send any pictures to me by the 10th December moomum@lactivist.co.uk.
Māori breastfeeding practices under spotlight in new book
The baby formula industry has been likened to the tobacco industry, for its serious effects on Māori health in a new book co-authored by a University of Auckland academic.
Dr Marewa Glover from the University’s School of Population Health contributed a chapter on Māori breastfeeding in a new resource book for researchers and health practitioners – Infant feeding practice: A cross-cultural perspective.
Dr Glover says the practice of breastfeeding has undergone a huge ideological shift since colonisation, resulting in fewer Māori women breastfeeding.
“The actual contribution of the artificial baby milk industry to Māori babies having the lowest rates of breastfeeding in New Zealand has yet to be studied, but traditional Māori infant care practices have been lost as the ‘benefits’ of western and modern practices have been sold to Māori mothers,” said Dr Glover.
“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rates are higher and have been known to be higher for some decades, bedsharing and its attendant risks are more frequently seen for Māori, yet the knowledge and practice of Māori traditions by contemporary Māori mothers is poor.”
Dr Glover’s chapter looks at the growth of the baby formula industry in New Zealand, the destruction of Māori traditions, influences which divert Māori women from breastfeeding, and smoking as a significant barrier to breastfeeding.
The book also includes chapters from health experts in Asia, Africa, Europe, the US and the UK. It is currently available online.
X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has admitted that she has been hugely impressed with the multi tasking skills of her colleague Dannii Minogue. The new mum juggles babysitting, breast feeding and mentoring each weekend and still manages to look stunning on every show.
Dannii’s unflappable attitude has wowed Cheryl, who recently revealed that she would love to become a mum herself. ‘I do not know how on Earth she does it,’ Cheryl told Metro. ‘She’s been great. “We have show drama in here at rehearsals. I am getting my hair and make-up done, all the girl contestants are getting done up and Dannii’s along there breastfeeding.” “Then she comes out and looks fabulous. I said, ‘‘I don’t know how you do it’’ and she said, ‘‘What do you mean?’’’
Insiders also reported that the two female judges, who were not particularly friendly in the past, have become close and bonded over Dannii’s new son Ethan. ‘It’s the closest Dannii and Cheryl have ever been,’ a source said. ‘In the past they’ve had little contact off camera. This year they have each other’s number and are actually texting each other.’ Dannii is no doubt glad of her new-found friendship with Cheryl and also her closer relationship with Louis Walsh, because she certainly seems to be out of favour with her boss, Simon Cowell. In an interview with the Daily Mail last week, he blasted her saying: “Now that you mention it, I haven’t really spoken to her much. Dannii seems a bit imperious this year, as if she’s above it all.”
Last year I changed the Lactivist Newsletter to be a quick text one with links to the offers and new stock. Do you like it like that or would you prefer something a bit prettier? I have had them in the past with news and offers from other companies, did you like that? Or do you just hate newsletters?
Thank you to Jill at KnittyBots who has just sent me a bundle of beautifully knitted woolly hats. Jill mostly makes hand knitted longies and shorties that fit over cloth nappies and the quality of her work is just amazing. Lactivist is very lucky to have her KnittyTit hats in stock.
Now KnittyTit hats are in sizes from 0-3 months to 2 years plus. The sizing is difficult as head sizes vary so much so I have measurements up on the site. They stretch well – the biggest hat fits my 7 year old
By Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths, on November 16th, 2010
Recently Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths has come in for some stick for taking issue with breastfeeding advice posted in a blog piece on an internet site run by a bottle manufacturer.
Some of the advice given was incorrect and the post was brought to the attention of our group by a mother who felt it might affect the ability of some mums to sustain a good milk supply. At least two members of our group (myself and at least one other) commented on the blog itself saying this and there was also a discussion about the blog on our own board.
A thread ran for a day or so on the DBM facebook page, with contributions from the original blogger (who is a member of the company’s ‘Parent Panel’), and also the host-site’s management.
The whole exchange came to a pretty positive conclusion and we were assurred that it was not the intention of the website to mislead it’s readers. We later heard that a few regular readers of the website were upset about some of the comments made on our page – and it is this issue that I want to address now.
It is natural to feel upset when someone takes issue with something you’ve said. It happens to me all the time (and will probably happen to me again later when the responses to this article start coming in…). No-one likes to think that they’ve said something which upset someone else, and the issue of breast/ formula feeding is one of the most emotive ones around.
Our group has always been a forum where we seek to share knowledge and dispell myths. That is not the same thing as calling someone a bad parent or a bad mother, and it’s not the same thing as bullying. If you have time to read the exchanges fully you’ll see that in fact all parties directly involved in were courteous and respectful of each other.
No-one has any business saying otherwise.
Our group wants to empower mothers to make informed choices. Poorly informed choices are not choices at all.
So then, why did the members of DBM take such issue with the information being given out on this website?
It’s because the advice was given on a website selling products associated with bottle-feeding.
Following our discussion, the management of the website in question have told us they will include additional links & information from recognised breastfeeding resources on their website*.They say they recognise this information is important for mothers who may be struggling to breastfeed. We very much welcome this, and hope that they will support mothers to breastfeed by making it clear that introducing bottles can have a detrimental effect on a mother’s milk supply.
Information about good breastfeeding management as well as the risks associated with formula use is essential for mums who are considering introducing bottled milk. I accept that some women may find mix-feeding can helpful, but it requires an understanding of breastfeeding management to make it work.
Even the formula companies have to admit (by law) that ‘choosing to combine breast and bottle is not a decision that should be taken lightly and is a decision which is difficult to reverse [...] as your body will learn to produce less milk’ (aptamil.co.uk). There are also other implications.
In addition, companies are not allowed to offer ‘any gifts of articles or utensils which may promote the use of breast-milk substitutes or bottle-feeding’. I am concerned that this company in particular gives away their products freely (as ‘competition’ prizes mainly) on a regular basis.
Would you go to a dentist to buy your glasses?
I’m guessing not…
Historically – and right up to the present day – companies have used unethical methods to get around legislation and make the consumer behave in a certain way. Although this was apparently not the case with DBM’s most recent interaction, it is nonetheless something which we see all the time, both in other parts of the world and also on our own doorstep.
We all like to believe we are savvy enough not to be duped – but are we?
Do you really think that the mascara you saw advertised on the TV will make your lashes ‘up 70 % longer’ or give you ’130% more visible length’? Get real!
(I’m not sitting in judgement btw – I have a drawer full of those mascaras. I bought them when I was feeling crappy and they all look the same on me…)
When you’re feeling down about something and someone offers you a solution, you take it – and you believe that it will help because you want it to help. You need it to help.
Those of you who keep an eye on debates relating to infant feeding will know that there has been widespread concern recently about the introduction of breastfeeding ‘helplines’ run by many of the major formula companies - and it’s not just in the States.
In Britain, because we’re signed up to the WHO code, formula companies aren’t allowed to advertise milk for babies under 6 months old. They’re smart though, and they got around this rule years ago by inventing the ‘follow on’ milk. Even though it’s targeted at older babies, it keeps their brand name ‘out there’.
Now many of these formula companies have also opened up ‘Baby Clubs’ for excited mothers-to-be and are offering ‘Helplines‘ for those struggling and in need of advice.
Dig a little deeper, (and I joined a few of these clubs a while back..) and you might start to see what they’re really up to. Once they get your consent to contact you they can begin to subtly fill your head with myths and doubts without your even realising.
They send out regular mail shots to keep their brand in your mind. They hint at early weaning. The WHO counsels not to introduce food to your baby before 6 months, but the advice of these companies is quite different ~ ‘not before 17 weeks’ or ’from 4 months’. If you start feeding solids that little bit earlier then they can get you buying their baby food for longer – simples!
They hint that your child might not be getting enough iron and have whole pages dedicated to ‘feeding problems’ which reads like a liturgy of breastfeeding misery.
How many mothers have worried needlessly about their milk supply simply because their baby fussed or fed frequently (ok, constantly!)?
Many mothers worry hugely that their child might be hungry because they don’t know how to interpret normal newborn behaviour. They can’t ask their friends or their mothers because no-one they know ever breastfed, and they’ve never even heard of the La Leche League…
Aptamil lists night feeds under ‘problems’, and they suggest that after the magic 12 week mark, babies shouldn’t really need to be fed at night. This is total rubbish whether you breastfeed or formula feed.
Babies should be fed on demand whatever your feeding method (Baby Friendly UK).
Obviously the websites don’t give information about breastfeeding rights at work either – now that they’re unable to advertise milk for newborns they’re focusing more efforts on mums who have to go back to work - ‘if you decide to move on…‘.
They want to encourage you to combine feed, not because it’s convenient for you, but because it means they can target their campaigns towards mothers who are still breastfeeding. Although some babies don’t seem to experience problems with combined feeding before 6 months of age, the WHO, UNICEF (and a long list of others) recommend exclusive breastfeeding until this age in part because ‘gut closure’ has not usually taken place.
Formula companies don’t tell you this about combined feeding – you can read their advice here. If I tell you about it, I get called a bully.
But what’s the truth?
The truth is that your child might well be absolutely fine, and seem totally unaffected by drinking formula.
You might even call me the ‘breastapo’ for suggesting otherwise.
But there are many who are not fine (my own daughter included).
Would you rather know about it?
And what about you? There are longer term implications for mothers who stop breastfeeding too. Recent studies have also shown that lactation may also help protect mothers from post-natal depression*, & evidence shows that breastfeeding mums actually get more sleep than their formula feeding counterparts. They also report having lower stress levels.
However, many desperate mums just reach the end of their tether and do turn to (some very reluctantly) to formula. Quite often it’ll be in the house already.
When you’re feeling down about something and someone offers you a solution, you take it – and you believe that it will help because you want it to help. You need it to help.
I’m not saying (by the way!) that there aren’t plenty of occasions where a mother makes an informed choice to mix feed to formula feed her baby, without being duped by anyone. When someone says ’I did the right thing for me’, who am I to question them? I’d much rather see a woman happy with her choices than regretful, but I’d also rather women were given enough information to allow them to make informed choices for themselves and their children.
I DOquestionhow many mums – had they been able to access proper breastfeeding support and knew their rights - would have chosen to exclusively breastfeed?
I know there are mums who fall into this category because they post on DBM.
Although the websites above seem to be giving helpful advice, they have no intention of pointing mothers in the direction of the genuinebreastfeeding experts elsewhere. That’s the last thing they want!
Nope, call the helpline or log on to live chat and you’ll be assisted by one of their experts. A ‘feeding advisor’ or a ‘baby care advisor’. Not one of these advisors will be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, though – that I can promise you! I would be very interested to know exactly what breastfeeding training they HAVE received…
Just as DBM has an agenda (to dispell the myths about breastfeeding) – so do they. You can draw your own conclusions about what it might be.
By commenting on questionable advice in the way that DBM did this week we were not bashing the mother who wrote it. Far from it.
Mothers like her can be the strongest advocates since they are frequently the ones most passionate about breastfeeding support, and know how best to give it.
But given the ways in which so many companies try to undermine or curtail women’s breastfeeding experiences in order to make money – can you blame us for being cynical?
*nb - DBM originally complained about the information in the blog on 29th October. At the time of writing – apart from a comment below the original blogger’s post - I cannot see any additional links to breastfeeding advice or support on this community page. I’d love to be proven wrong though!
By Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths, on November 16th, 2010
Some of us work to live, and others live to work. Work is just a fact of life for most of us. Unless you’re really lucky one of the bridges you’ll eventually have to cross once you’ve established breastfeeding is the management of your return to work.
Although the formula manufacturers would like you to think you need to combine feed at this point, it’s really not necessary! But you need to know how to work the system and demand your rights.
If you don’t want to stop breastfeeding (and many of us find we really do not) but are worried about your return to work, this post is for you.
If you live in the UK your right to continue to breastfeed is protected by law. There is no ‘time limit’ put on it – you are protected whether your baby is 6 months, or 6 years old. You might have your own time limit in mind, but if you do let that be decided by you and your child and not by anything else.
Perhaps surprisingly in Northern Ireland (where we have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the whole UK), we have some of the tightest regulations when it comes to breastfeeding rights in the workplace. Presumably this is because of our appalling record on human rights and the subsequent tightening up of the discrimination laws here. However, wherever you live in the UK your breastfeeding rights are protected by Health and Safety law.
In order to ensure your employer understands their legal obligations there are procedures you will need to ask them to follow.
1/ You must inform them in writing before you return to work that you intend to continue breastfeeding. Because you are a breastfeeding mother and this raises additional Health and Safety questions, they are required to carry out a Health and Safety Assessment.
(This might sound a bit OTT but if, for example, your work involved dealing with chemicals or infection risks then you can see why it becomes relevant). You can include a letter from your GP or midwife in your risk assessment.
2/ If risks are identifed then your employers are required either to remove the risk (by adjusting your working environment to allow you to continue to work), or, where suitable, reassign you (with the same terms and conditions). If neither of these things are possible then they must suspend you (with pay) for as long as is necessary to protect you and your child from the risk.
3/ Your employer must provide you with a space in which to rest (and in NI express milk) but they are not legally obliged to provide you with a fridge/ storage facility for any expressed breastmilk. Many people find that a cool bag is sufficient to allow them to keep milk cold until they get home. The rest space must not be a toilet.
4/ Employers are not legally obliged to have a ‘breastfeeding policy’ of their own but many do. This can include things like information about rest-breaks, & milk storage facilities etc. If your employer does not have one yet, by approaching them and discussing your situation you may find they decide to implement such a policy. This would be a great service to other mothers coming after you.
But what’s in it for them?
How can you convince your employer to make it work for you?
Tell them why it makes good business sense.
Breastfed babies are sick less often. This means parents take less time off to look after them. A study done in 1995 showed that mums of formula fed babies take twice as many one-day absences as breastfeeding mums do. (Cohen R, Mrtek MB &; Mrtek RG; American Journal of Health Promotion, 10 (2), 148-153.)
Employees who feel valued and supported are more productive and report higher morale than those who are not. Supportive breastfeeding policies ease a mother’s return to work and enable a breastfeeding mother to return sooner than she otherwise might. (Galtry J. (1997). Lactation and the labor market)
An earlier return to work by a satisfied employee reduces the costs of recruting, hiring, and training temporary staff. If the company is a small one and the position has not been covered, other staff are likely to experience greater stress affecting their productivity, morale and health the longer the employee is off work.
Family-friendly policies in the workplace improve a companies public image and this has a positive effect on recruitment.
Lactating mothers report lower levels of stress (Mezzacappa ES, Katlin ES Health Psychol. 2002 Mar;21(2):187-93). Stress is thought to supress the immune system making you more succeptible to illness.
What else can you do?
If you’re in a union, you can request their help in approaching your employers. If you’re not, you might consider joining one.
Prior to returning to work begin to express and store breastmilk to give to your child.
Find childcare close to your work so you can breastfeed just before work and just after.
Work out how you will provide your baby with breastmilk when you’re not around – if they’re unable to use a cup, you might need to get them used to using a bottle. This website has good advice about doing this.
Consider in advance how you will express and store milk at work.
Explain to your employer that you need to be able to express milk in privacy during your rest breaks. In NI this is already a legal requirement. Although in other parts of the UK it is not yet a legal requirement, it is considered ‘best practice’ by the Health and Safety Executive (see links below). You can also argue that your employer is putting you at increased risk of blocked ducts and mastitis if they do not provide you with this facility. A toilet is not considered a suitable facility.
If your employer doesn’t understand that nursing mothers need rest breaks, explain to them that breastfeeding burns up to 500 calories per day. Other examples of ways to burn 500 calories include the following: 1 hour of rowing, 1 hour of running up stairs, 1 hour of cycling, 1 hour of rock climbing.
Remember that if your employer is unhelpful and seems to be forcing you to curtail or end your breastfeeding then they are putting you at an increased risk of some illnesses including breast and ovarian cancer, as well as osteporosis.They are also putting your child at increased risk of illness whatever their age. The longer you breastfeed, the lower the risks to you and to your child.
If you do not feel that your employer is being sympathetic there are a number of things you can do. 1/ speak to your human resources department or union; 2/ contact your occupational health department (if you have one); 3/ contact the Health and Safety Executive; 4/ contact one of the other organisations listed below; 5/ discuss your situation with an employment lawyer.
Most employers will see the good sense in supporting your desire to breastfeed. Some will be less helpful! However, they are legally obliged to carry out a risk assessment and act upon it, and they must provide you with a suitable rest area.
You might feel intimidated if you’re the first person in your workplace to approach your employer about breastfeeding rights at work. It is understandable to be anxious about this, but remember – the law is there to protect you.
In order to normalise breastfeeding for our sons and daughters we all need to play our part in breaking down these barriers and demanding our rights at work.
When I first started to breastfeed in public I did feel nervous, mostly, as an unconfident new mum because I thought someone would want to tell me how to do it properly. As my son got older I got a lot more comfortable and breastfed without thinking about it, and without being detected in all sorts of odd places, on the escalator in Ikea being one I can remember!
Doulas are women specially trained to give emotional and practical support during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period – leading to more satisfying and empowered experiences, and a decrease in interventions, caesarean sections, postnatal depression and an increase in breastfeeding success.
Doulas do what is needed. Doulas can support couples, a mum who is alone, or a mum who has other children that her partner needs to take care of. Alternatively they can do the little things that mean a partner can support the woman in labour such as filling the birth pool, dimming the lights, putting music on and even making tea for the midwives! Or anything in between!
Research has shown that having a doula present at a birth:
* Shortens first-time labour by an average of 2 hours
* Decreases the chance of caesarean section by 50%
* Decreases the need for pain medication
* Helps fathers participate with confidence
* Increases success in breast-feeding
(Findings taken from “Mothering the Mother” by Klaus, Kennell & Klaus, 1993)
This is such a clever idea! If you have ever trawled the shops trying to find something that looks good, keeps you decent and warm whilst breastfeeding and doesn’t cost a fortune you are bound to love this site!
MilkChic is the brainchild of Mel, who is a mum of one very happy, still breastfed in the evenings, 15 month old girl and a also stepmum to 2 great kids aged 10 and 17.
MilkChic is a shopping directory for nursing mothers, highlighting chic, affordable clothing in UK high street stores which works for breastfeeding.
It is a website born of frustration – there is so much lovely maternity wear on the high street but nothing for breastfeeding, and all the nursing clothes Mel found online either cost a fortune or just looked ugly.
It took Mel 6 months to figure out which clothes worked for her and longer to find clothes that looked good as well as functioned. Many mums have already given up feeding at this point and she feels that practicalities like discreet clothing have a big impact on how long mothers choose to breastfeed for. Choosing to breastfeed shouldn’t mean that you can’t wear clothes that make you feel good – MilkChic thinks breastfeeding mummys are yummy mummys!
MilkChic features videos of discreet feeding techniques for mums who are worried about feeding in public, instructions to customise your own nursing vests and a breastfeeding fashion blog.
Current retailers featured are: Agent Provocateur, Amazon, ASOS, BHS, Boden, Dorothy Perkins, George@Asda, Laura Ashley, Marks & Spencer, Miss Selfridge, New Look, Peacocks, Phase Eight, TopShop and Wallis, with more being added all the time.
I have only just discovered it and there is a wealth of information and very well written articles there. This made me laugh though – especially the bit about “my cabinets are too small”. Genius!
But..But.. I can’t formula feed! (Common breastfeeding excuses applied to formula/bottles)
by S. on June 24, 2010
(Disclaimer: I have nothing against formula-feeding or supplementing moms. I was just struck by a random moment of humor where I realized that many of the reasons why a mom might choose to formula feed over breastfeeding actually apply to my decision to breastfeed.)
I can’t formula feed. I have low supply. Once I empty a can, it wouldn’t magically fill back up again. I’d try the whole “supply and demand” thing of going to the grocery store to stock back up. But my baby would scream if I do that. I can’t stand the screaming!
Besides, my cabinets are too small and I’d prefer to keep them sexy and uncluttered with all the formula cans. I’ve heard that formula feeding only works for people with big cabinets, anyway. As long as they’re not SO big that it’s hard to stack the formula cans. So really, formula feeding only works for people with medium sized cabinets.
And I’d be nervous about wondering if my baby was getting enough or getting too much. How do formula feeding moms know that their baby is getting enough? If baby cries, how do they know if he wants a bottle or if he wants a pacifier? And how do they know if they’re over-feeding baby? Every weight check would make me paranoid that my formula mixing skills were just not up to par.
I’d also be afraid to go out of my house if I was formula feeding. I’d be afraid that I forgot the bottles or the nipples or the formula or that I didn’t bring enough, or that I brought too much. And besides, I feel SO awkward trying to bottle feed my baby. He always screams when I’m mixing the formula, but I can’t mix it any faster because I need to make sure all the clumps are gone. There’s just no way I can imagine bottle feeding a baby discreetely in public! I’ve tried all those hints and tips that I’ve seen other mothers mention, but I just can’t get a hang of it.
Not to mention nighttime bottles. I like getting sleep. How do you get sleep if you have to prepare and warm a bottle? I just can’t imagine how a parent could do it. Plus, there’s so many worries about formula and SIDS that I’d be afraid my baby would die. (excuse commonly applied to co-sleeping)
And how would I be able to pay attention to my older child while I’m bottle feeding or washing the bottles? Not to mention the fact that it would interfere with my husband’s ability to bond with our child, since he’d have to be washing bottles too. And working to pay for the formula.
Which brings me to another thing. I don’t think I could do the whole formula feeding thing, because I’d be constantly worried about the source of formula drying up. I mean. It’s a horrible economy. How will I know in the beginning if I can make it to a full year of formula feeding? If I were to formula feed, I’d always be worried about the supply. So I might try it in the beginning… But I have to tell ya, if the stock market drops any more than it has already.. I just wouldn’t be able to deal with the anxiety and would have to give it up.
Plus, what happens when baby gets teeth and starts to chew on the nipple bottles? And I hear it’s painful when you move from the ready-made formula to the cans of powdered formula, because those pull-tops can have razor-sharp edges. I don’t know if I would be able to deal with the pain of cutting up my fingers on those edges! Sure, in theory I could learn new techniques that would enable me to open the can without cutting myself.. But really, the idea of a paper cut makes me cringe, so I don’t even want to try. I think I’ll wean my baby off of formula when I need to make the switch away from the ready-made samples.
I don’t know how people do it, honestly. Maybe it’s easier with practice.. But I tried a few bottles in the beginning with my older son and it just didn’t work for me. So with this child I’m not even going to bother.
…Now how do I get those damned formula samples and coupons to stop showing up at my door? I tried throwing sage tea at them and wrapping them in chilled cabbage leaves. But none of the old tricks work, darnit. Maybe some benadryl?
These adverts are generated by Google - now and then a sneeky formula one gets in but I can block them so please email me at moomum@lactivist.co.uk if you see one.
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