Look mum! Everything For Baby`s Here

Opinions on breast feeding have changed a lot over the years. Before formula milk was invented then it was the only option for mothers and if they did not have any milk, they needed to find a mother who could help them out. Formula milk was a great help in this sort of situation and it became popular with all mothers, meaning that by the 1970's many mothers just did not see breast feeding as an option. It became frowned upon to breast feed in public and many women felt that if was not an option for them because it was not socially acceptable. More recently the health benefits of breast feeding have been highlighted by midwives and other maternity staff and so mothers are encouraged to breast feed if they can. It is felt that formula milk cannot replicate the mothers milk and should only be used as babies get older or if breast feeding is just not an option. The nutrients contained in the breast milk are felt to be much better for the baby than anything that can be replicated in formula milk. However, some mothers still do not like the idea of breast feeding in public, even though it is becoming more acceptable and more common. There is also an argument that if you bottle feed a baby the father can take more of a part in the feeding process, by being able to not only give the mother a break but also to help them to bond with their baby.

There are some problems with breast feeding. Some women find that they can get very sore due to blockages in their milk ducts and also sore nipples. There are ways of tackling both of these. To free blockages, placing warm flannels on the effected area and then gently massaging can help. Sore nipples are usually caused by not placing it in the babies mouth correctly and so it is important to ask a midwife to help get this correct. A further problem can be caused by thrush which the baby can get in their mouth and then spread to the mother. It is important to consult a doctor and get this treated to ease discomfort as soon as possible.

There are a few other cases when it can be difficult for a mother to breast feed. It is not always that easy to get a baby to latch on to the breast. This can be caused by several reasons. One can be that the mother is not taught properly either before the baby comes along or afterwards. Sometimes the baby has developmental problems which mean that they cannot suck on the breast easily. Things such as a cleft palate or tongue tie can mean that it is very difficult for the baby to suck on the breast.

These days it is often the case that a Mother is made to feel guilty if they do not manage to breast feed their babies. It can be very difficult for the woman, who is always very hormonal when their baby is first born, to make the decision as to whether to breast feed their baby. It is something which the parents should discuss before the baby comes along so that the decision does not have to be made at the spur of the moment, when the baby comes along.

_{Author: Angie Del Solar Chambers}