One Step Forward

Did you watch ITV’S This Morning’s breastfeeding clinic?

Spoilers. I’m going to go straight in at the end, because this is important. Pumping is not indicative of how much milk your baby gets. Pumping only a few ounces does not mean your baby consumes only a few ounces.

It’s Wednesday morning. I’m at my desk, telly on, trying not to devour my ration of chocolate biscuits before midday. My ears pricked as Phil and Holly introduced their first live Breastfeeding clinic.

They introduced the Mothers and their feeding issues.

 -A lady with a tiny baby who had a preference for one breast.

-One with a fast let down.

-A lady with latching issues and blocked ducts.

-Finally, one mum who was feeding in 5 hour solid stints in the evening.

The session was led by a retired midwife who praised the ‘old ways’ of doing things. She boasted that everyone loves her methods- and the ones that don’t are lactation consultants and specialist workers.

Hmm ok. Starting to get a little on edge. Peer Supporters for GBSN (Gloucestershire breastfeeding supporters) are trained by specialist workers. These professionals are vital, most trusted key players. The way it functions as a legitimate resource in communities.

I was quickly distracted by the sight of a real, live action FEMALE NIPPLE doing what it was designed to do. Suddenly my face was inches from the tv. Elated, I shouted to my husband in his office,

“They're bloody doing it! Actual breastfeeding! With boobs and nipples and everything”

If we’re counting left and right boobs respectively, once a week, I’ve seen a lot of nipples in my short time as a peer supporter at Cirencester’s B.E.S.T group. I do forget what a novelty it can be for others to see. Twitter was of course on top form. As a breastfeeding mum (with a now, is he breastfeeding/ is he weaning depending on his mood, toddler) I also have mild brain fog remembering those days of feeling nervous getting out the mammaries. So in short. This normalisation was glorious.

I was trying not to be skeptical with this ex-mid wife lady. I have a fair amount of knowledge and instinct, but I am not specialised. There was a quick mention of her technique being rated ‘5 stars’. Massive eye roll as I realised she was flogging her talents. Can’t say I’d turn down being paid for peer support, but it all started to become a little ‘my way my way my way’ -like a fad diet.

The final feeding issue made my heart sink. And is the one that has had the most back lash (rightfully) on social media. The mum feeding for hours and hours every evening was told to pump. Why? To check she had ‘enough milk’. I understand this was a quick, summarised segment. I get that in the normal setting, you have the time to ask tonnes of questions and listen intently for clues. But what this piece did was give breastfeeding mums confidence, solidarity, exposure, validity, strength and then… smashed that all away with the good ol kryptonite of feeding journeys...

‘Are you sure you're making enough milk’

I will gladly link the Milk Meg here who beautifully sumarises how milk supply works. 

It is real shame that this opportunity to do good by breastfeeding, with the best intentions of the program, was essentially sabotaged by poor guidance. 

At the particular centre I volunteer at you can expect;

One to one help from peer supporters 

Peer supporters working together to help families

Specialist workers giving one to one help

Specialist workers guiding peer supporters through correct procedure. 

And a lot of listening to mums fully, with patience, empathy and a cuppa. 

It's a gentle place where mum knows best. Not our way this, our way that. 

***UPDATE***

After some digging, Its seems this Clare Byam-Cook aka- labelled like a warning-  'CBC' is notoriously problematic when it comes to Breastfeeding support. I did not write this to entirely slate her, but I've just seen her comments on breastfeeding toddlers, and well... now it's personal CBC.