'Is breastfeeding advocacy anti-feminist?' an essay by Katherine Dettwyler

This article looks interesting http://www.lactivistleanings.com/education/is-breastfeeding-advocacy-anti-feminist-an-essay-by-katherine-a-dettwyler/

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Expectations versus reality

The meeting today was really enjoyable, thanks so much for coming and sharing your experiences. We talked about many different things, but here are some links to further information on some of the topics.

We talked about things that we would have liked to have known about breastfeeding before we had our baby. Some mothers mentioned positioning and how to know if baby is latched on well. Here is the La Leche League information on positioning and latch: http://www.llli.org/NB/NBlatch.html

We also talked about 'laid back' breastfeeding and some further information can be found at www.biologicalnurturing.com There are also videos of babies self attaching on youtube and this behaviour is retained for months if not years. Babies who have not breastfeed before have self attached at 3 months.

There are some good video clips of babies breastfeeding at www.drjacknewman.com

There were concerns about how to know if a young baby is getting enough milk. Here is our page on how to access this: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/enough.html And you can get our fact sheet on this subject here http://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/product/192/is_my_baby_getting_enough_milk_-_pad_of_50/default.aspx (75p)

Also here http://www.llli.org/thewomanlyartofbreastfeeding you can download Chapter 20 of the new Womanly Art of Breastfeeding which has a 'Tear Sheet Tool Kit' which is single pages of helpful information for new parents, including a nappy log.

We also talked about breastfeeding past the first year and here is a link to some of the benefits http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

And we mentioned baby led weaning which you can find out more about here www.babyledweaning.com and is one of the ways in which you can introduce babies to solids at the middle of the first year.

Finally, all this information and much more can be found in the fabulous Womanly Art of Breastfeeding which you can get from here http://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk

The next meeting will be in Southville on 9 March as there is no Coffee Morning this month.

The Bristol Leaders

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La Leche League GB’s response to the article reported in the British Medical Journal, January2011, questioning the recommendation to introduce solid food to babies at 6 months

La Leche League has been providing breastfeeding information and support to parents for over fifty years.  We support the view of The World Health Organisation (WHO), The Department of Health (DH), and other eminent organisations, that infants should be exclusively breastfed for around the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive appropriate complementary foods alongside continued breastfeeding.

When WHO recommended this policy it was based on a systematic review of 3,000 studies on infant feeding.  The article the British Medical Journal published, on 14 January 2011, suggesting that babies need solids earlier than six months of age, is not a new research study or a systematic review of all available evidence.  Three of the four authors of this research have declared an association with the baby feeding industry.

There is clear scientific evidence that breastfeeding protects both the short and long term health of mothers and babies.  It reduces the risk of infections such as gastroenteritis and respiratory, ear and urinary tract infections, particularly infections requiring hospitalisation, even in developed countries such as the UK.  The risk of diabetes and obesity in children and cancer in mothers is lessened and it reduces the risk of postnatal depression and neglect. With the current risk of swine flu, exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of the baby catching secondary infections, which could be serious enough to need hospital admission.

• The BMJ article says that delaying introducing solid food may increase the risk of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA)

Breastmilk supplies all the essential nutrients a baby needs for around the first six months of life.  There isn’t a lot of iron in breastmilk because there isn’t supposed to be. It is more completely absorbed by a baby than the kind in formula, baby cereal or supplements.  Breastmilk contains a protein that binds to any extra iron that the baby doesn’t use because too much iron can end up feeding the wrong kind of bacteria in his intestines and this can result in diarrhoea/constipation or even microscopic bleeding. Formula fed babies can have too much iron in their intestines, which causes these problems and ends up reducing their overall iron.

If a baby is started on solids before he is ready iron stores can drop.  Some fruits and vegetables can bind with iron before the baby has a chance to use it.  These foods are often low in iron and so are simply replacing the perfect food for babies with ones with fewer nutrients.

To help ensure a breastfed baby has a good supply of iron, women can look at their diet during pregnancy and ask that the umbilical cord is not cut before it stops pulsating as this adds to his iron supply.

• The BMJ article says that delaying introducing solids may increase the risk of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is associated with the early introduction of gluten, which is found in cereals.  Currently available evidence on the timing of the introduction of gluten into the infant diet is insufficient to support any recommendations and a study suggesting this should be at four months is considered by many to be flawed.  There is evidence suggesting that not being breastfed at the time gluten is introduced into the diet is associated with an increased risk of subsequently developing coeliac disease.

• The article says that delaying introducing solids may increase food allergies

A baby’s insides are designed to be ready for solid food once his outside has developed enough for him to eat it on his own. If offered too soon he will automatically thrust it back out to protect his digestive tract.   La Leche League suggests mothers look for cues that their baby is ready, such as being able to sit up, pick up food, get it in his mouth and chew without choking, and that often happens around six months.  A baby’s digestive tract needs to be mature before starting solids so the lining of his intestines is sealed against allergens (allergy producers).  If given solids too early allergens can slip through the intestinal wall into the blood stream and the baby produces antibodies against them, which can result in allergies such as eczema.

At around six months a baby starts producing adult-type enzymes, which we need to break down food for digestion.  If he has solids before he can digest them properly it can cause tummy problems and the nutrients will not be fully utilised.

Trials are being undertaken to test if babies with a family history of true allergy might be helped by earlier introduction of certain foods but, as a rule, the majority of babies are less likely to have an allergic reaction to foods by around six months.

• The article suggests that introducing new tastes at an earlier age may increase acceptance of leafy green vegetables and encourage healthy eating later in life

This is purely speculative.  Breastmilk prepares a baby for family food as it changes in flavour depending on the mother’s diet and so exposes the baby to various tastes from birth on wards.  In fact research shows that formula-fed babies often don’t accept new tastes as willingly as breastfed babies.  What a baby prefers to eat will be dependent on many things and will change as he grows.  Some mothers have found that if a baby was encouraged to eat a food he had shown a particular aversion to it caused a negative reaction, perhaps showing that babies instinctively know what to refuse.  If offered a range of healthy foods babies tend to take what they need.

• The article says that delayed introduction to solid foods may be linked to increased obesity

This is in total conflict with the studies showing that early introduction, particularly of sugary foods, is an important factor behind the obesity epidemic and can lead to babies being overfed.  Breastfeeding helps a baby to regulate his own appetite so that when he starts solids he may be better able to avoid over eating. 

La Leche League GB knows that women already receive conflicting advice and information on many aspects of childcare and that this report has caused concern and confusion amongst parents wondering what to do for the best for their children. Babies’ individual development varies and parents are best placed to look for signs that their baby may be ready for solid food, around six months of age.

While we recognise that it is important to ensure that recommendations are based on the best available evidence, and are regularly reviewed, we continue to believe that breastmilk provides everything a baby needs up to around six months of age and that to introduce other foods before a baby is ready is not beneficial.

La Leche League GB offers breastfeeding information and support to all. Established as an Affiliate of LLL International in the 1980s, LLLGB has 68 groups and 245 Leaders.  LLL Leaders are mothers who have breastfed a child for 12 months or longer and undergone an accreditation process. They know that breastfeeding is not always easy and how much difference having someone to talk to can make.  Leaders provide telephone counselling, email support and local group meetings, as well as leaflets on a wide range of breastfeeding questions, information on more unusual situations, access to a panel of professional advisors, and can often lend out books covering various aspects of pregnancy and child care.

LLLGB's national telephone helpline (0845 120 2918) connects mothers directly to an accredited Leader, while our website (www.laleche.org.uk) includes an online help form that enables a mother to receive email help from an LLL Leader.  All our Leaders are volunteers and answer calls from home while looking after their families.

The new 8^th edition of La Leche League International's The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was published on July 13th 2010 and can be purchased from the  LLLGB SHOP www.lllgbbooks.co.uk.

Written by Anna Burbidge, Chair, Council of Directors, on behalf of La Leche League GB

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Breastfeeding Today - Online magazine.

Did you know that La Leche League International have an online magazine called Breastfeeding Today.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/94fb8af9#/94fb8af9/1

Some very interesting articles with links to back issues.

December issue includes articles on :- Laid back breastfeeding and Biological nurturing, Too busy to Breastfeed and when Breastfed children get sick and other stories by mums.

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Membership - Why Join?

All of our meetings are free for Mothers. If you decide that you have benefited from them then why not consider joining LLL for the New Year (Join Feb and get 14 months benefit)

Membership only costs £25 per year (concessions for unwaged families available)
That is about £2 per month! It includes a bi-monthly subscription to Breastfeeding Matters

Investment in you, your child, and future nursing Mothers!

Make new friendships with other nursing Mums.

Gain self confidence for your breastfeeding relationship

LLL lending library- books on birth, breastfeeding, parenting ( for Mums and Dads), etc.

Member discounts on conference fees

How does LLL Bristol Benefit???

Increased funds to purchase new books for the Group Library.

Helps Leaders stay up to date on the newest breastfeeding research and information, so they can help you get the most out of your breastfeeding experience.

Supports La Leche League in its mission to help mothers and promote breastfeeding in Bristol, South West, Uk and around the world.

Ensures that breastfeeding support will continue to be available for other mothers!

Contact a leader if interested and unable to make a meeting or order online here
http://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/shopping/go_shopping/membership_and_donations/ .

If you are still not sure about a membership and are a UK taxpayer why not make a donation via our membership form. As an organisation we can get an extra 25p of tax on every £1 you give.


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Did you watch or here the news this week? Weaning before six months 'may help breastfed babies'

Has this left you feeling confused and worried or even annoyed ? Here are a few links in response to the news that may help ease your concerns or help to argue your point.

The Unicef UK response to the news.
http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/unicef_uk_response_to_BMJ_article_140111.pdf

The link below breaks down the article that made the news and looks at the sources identified.

Analytical Armadillo: Starting Solids - The Facts Behind Today's Media Hype

www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk



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Latching and attaching

We are looking forward to seeing you at the meeting this Wed 13 Oct at 10.15am at 39 Hamilton Rd, Southville. We'll be talking about all the different ways that a baby can latch on and feed. Hopefully we'll hear about some brand new ways mums and babies have worked it out!

With love from Charlie, Vicky and Floredia

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Venue change for 22 Sept

The coffee morning on 22 September will be at Charlie's house (39 Hamilton Rd, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1PA) and not Jenny's this month. Please spread the word. Thanks.

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Meeting today

Thanks so much for those of you who came to the meeting today, it was lovely to see you all and to hear your comments.

Here is a link to lots of more detailed information on the ways in which breastfeeding supports the normal and healthy development of both babies and mothers: http://www.llli.org/NB/NBbenefits.html

If you are interested in finding out more about the new edition of the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding you can download a chapter here: http://www.llli.org/thewomanlyartofbreastfeeding

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Meeting on 8 Sept

We are looking forward to seeing you lovely people this coming Wednesday 8 Sept at 39 Hamilton Rd. We'll be talking about 'How important is breastfeeding' but there will be plenty of time for your questions and other topics.

With love from Charlie and Vicky.

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Floredia

We would very much like to hear from you if you have been supported on your breastfeeding journey by Bristol Leader Floredia. Floredia is currently taking a break from La Leche League activities but she has been a long-standing presence in the Bristol LLL group. She was running the group with Janet Griffiths when April arrived 11 years ago and had previously worked with other LLL groups. Her wonderful warm personality has been a godsend to many a mother and baby so do get in touch if you have a memory to share. I personally remember ringing Floredia as early in the morning as I thought was decent (I think it was 7am) after having been up all night with Theo (my second) on his first night failing to get him to feed. She was absolutely amazing and immediately focused completely on me and my worries and listened with such empathy and kindness and respect. She then managed to make me laugh and reassured me with just a few words and gave me renewed confidence. I can’t remember exactly what she said but her words worked magic and I relaxed enough to be able to almost immediately sit down and Theo latched on and fed. Oh the relief and joy, it makes me cry to think about it now! Email me at charliestokes76@blueyonder.co.uk

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Guest post: Who says we need support?

Who said we need support? Written by Catherine, an ex-Bristol Leader currently in Perth, Australia. Cath writes about the kindness and friendship she found at LLL meetings. Taken from LLL Bristol's recent newsletter.

I am always stuck for words when a mum comes to me not seeing how a breastfeeding support group could help her, not seeing that a LLL meeting is much more than just listening to a theoretical talk on ‘how to’. Why should she need such a group? She had no problem at all breastfeeding, it was all very natural to her. However often as the discussion unfolds I realise she would have loved to know more about natural weaning or breastfeeding through pregnancy, or just hearing another experienced mum reassuring her on a specific behavior of her son. Is that not all that you can find at a LLL meeting?

Being quite a strong headed and self confident person, one would assume I am not the kind of influence-able person who would easily change her mind or attitude because of others. However I have come to realise how invaluable my network in Bristol was and how it helped me and supported me in my journey into parenting. Not just for breastfeeding or night time parenting, no, it helped me in much more ways than one could imagine and on so many different levels.

Today I want to write to all those women I met in Bristol, to let them know how invaluable their input, their sharing, their teaching, their softness and their smile has meant to me, today I want to tell them that I keep them in my mind everyday, when I feel challenged, when I see my girls happy, when I see how they are blossoming through gentle parenting.

Today I want to thank them.

I feel so grateful I came across LLL at the start of my journey. So blessed I have met women and mums like April, Floredia and Kate who were all LLL leaders when my first one was born. They were such a role modeling for me, such an inspiration in gentle parenting. There was also all the mums, some of them who became my best friends who always had the right words or funny attitude that would lift my hearts on those challenging days. I could make a long list of all those beautiful moments, those special times when we were all in awe of our new babies and completely exhausted from the broken-broken-broken nights. This has created such a strong bond between us, such a treasurable unique smile in my heart. Naively I thought that sort of network was available everywhere, in any city with mums and babes. How wrong was I! This is such an amazing network, such a beautiful group, and even if I know the mums are probably not the same, there is that core group and the leaders who are just so precious. Make the most of it, use it, observe, listen, share, welcome others ways of doing without judging. Just appreciate the difference, enjoy the companionship, embrace the different ways of mothering. Patience is just such a quality I admire. A quality I have truly discovered through other mums going to the meetings in Bristol.

After more than 10 years in Bristol we have decided to move on to different shores (less muddy, more sunny ;-) Everything here is different to UK. Birth, much more medicalised, breastfeeding more discreet, mums groups being very few and mainly organised via the hospital. All our parenting choices which I felt very supported through in Bristol suddenly sound very extreme and slightly coming from another planet. Thankfully I had gained confidence before moving here, thankfully I am very supported by my partner!

Now we have settled down here I so much want to recreate that sort of group, a place where mothers with their babes and their toddlers will find a supportive group to share and chat, to be and to sit back, may be even to learn something new or just be reminded of something gentle. I so wish to give that back as it has been such a major part of my journey, something I would always be grateful for.

To all of you beautiful inspiring mamas: Thank you!

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The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - new edition

Here is a review of the latest edition taken from LLL Bristol's latest newsletter.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, La Leche League International, 8^th edition, 2010. Diane Wiessinger, Diana West & Teresa Pitman

This new edition is a complete reworking of the LLL classic breastfeeding book. It has been written by three great women who between them have many years experience of both breastfeeding their own children and helping women to breastfeed their babies.

The book is funny and easy to read and contains practical information on every aspect of breastfeeding with some lovely clear illustrations. There is an extra chapter about the new approaches to positioning with simple descriptions of ‘laid back’ breastfeeding and tips to get mum and baby working together, as well as help with the more traditional positions. The book covers what you need to know when pregnant, has a chapter on birth and implications for breastfeeding, through to concerns in the early weeks and what to expect feeding an older baby and toddler. Sections on sleep and starting solids are packed with up to date research and myth busting facts.

There are a couple of great sections in the back of the book. One is called Tech Support and gives you concise information on common difficulties that can occur such as colic, jaundice and blocked ducts. The other is called Tear-sheet Toolkit and has a key tips on a subject on one page that you can tear off (or print from the website) and stick on the fridge and refer to until you get the hang of it or that phase has passed, eg Feeding Cues, Waking a Sleepy Newborn, Mastitis, Milk Storage etc.

Each section has mother’s stories in it and internet references for further details including LLL forums. Every LLL Leader relies on this book when helping mothers to breastfeed and leading meetings and it is a source of comfort and reliable information that would be of invaluable support to every breastfeeding woman.

Have a look at it here: http://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/product/425/the_womanly_art_of_breastfeeding_8th_edition/default.aspx

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Library books online

Vicky has put all the group's library books on to a Google Document so that you can have a look at all the great books available and email Vicky at bristollalecheleague@gmail.com if you would like to borrow a particular book or if you would like to talk about returning a book that you have.

Vicky has also included a list of all the fantastic information tear off sheets and booklets that LLL publish.

Click here to access the spreadsheet.

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Further info on starting solids

At the most recent meeting we talked about introducing solids and some facts and myths surrounding this. For more information you can take a look at the following:

Starting Solid Foods leaflet published by La Leche League GB

http://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/product/74/starting_solid_food_lllgb/default.aspx

Online information from LLL can be found here:

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBsolids.html

Great facts from the Kellymom website about why wait until 6 months:

www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

More info on Baby Led Weaning:

http://www.rapleyweaning.com/

All this information and a whole lot more is also in the revised edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding which has been completely updated by its authors Diane Wiessinger, Diana West and Teresa Pitman who each have masses of experience of helping mums and babies to breastfeed. The book is really easy to read with great illustrations and photos and full of practical information and mother's stories. As Vicky said at the meeting, it is what LLL Leaders refer to all the time. It is bang up to date with all the research on breastfeeding and explains the new approaches to attachment and positioning, and it also talks about the emotional side to breastfeeding and its significance for mother and child. You can get it here:

http://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/product/425/the_womanly_art_of_breastfeeding_8th_edition/default.aspx

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New breastmilk finds

Here is an interesting article from the NY Times talking about how breastmilk protects the baby's gut lining and some new findings

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/03/science/03milk.html?_r=2

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can anyone give a lift from Clifton?

If someone is coming to the meeting from the Clifton area and could give a lift to a mum and her little one, please could they call Charlie on 939 3028. Thank you!

Myths and facts about starting solids

We're looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting on Wednesday 11 August at 39 Hamilton Rd in Southville. We'll be discussing solids and how to tease out the facts from the wealth of information and advice that surrounds starting them. There will be plenty of time for other questions and shared experiences too so do come even if this topic is not what you are dealing with at the moment.

We have a couple of copies of the much coveted My Child Won't Eat in the library, although as these are now out of print (and apparently £60 second hand on Amazon) there will need to be a deposit for borrowing it! Happily we have other information available too, on this and many other subjects.

Bristol Facebook page

We are now on Facebook! Vicky has set up a page where you can seek us out, become friends, follow what we are up to and keep us informed. Search for Bristol La Leche League or follow this link. Another good page is Bristol Breastfeeding Mummies.

change in tack from nhs

Thanks to Jenny for bringing this article from the BBC to my attention. It describes a change in approach in talking about breastfeeding to new mothers, from the 'breast is best' campaign that seems to suggest that breastfeeding is something outside the norm and an added extra, to describing breastfeeding as the normal and simple way to feed a baby. This is something we've discussed in meetings before.

Here is the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/10368037.stm