Many mothers stop breastfeeding 'because it's hard'

A significant amount of mothers stop breastfeeding their newborn babies earlier than they would like because they encounter difficulties with the process, one expert has advised.

The Department of Health made the claim, stressing to mothers considering quitting that breastfeeding provides the best form of nutrition for babies, therefore giving them the best start in life.

A spokesperson from the government department made the statement while speaking at The Baby Show, which took place at ExCel, London between February 27th and March 1st 2009.

Clare Byam-Cook said: “The main reason women struggle to latch the baby on or get sore nipples is because breasts come in all shapes and sizes.

“It's just a logistical problem - the bigger the breast, the harder it is to put in a small mouth. My technique is instead of letting the baby open its mouth wide, I would say that you should make your breasts smaller.”

She explained that lining the baby up “nose to nipple” and waiting for the baby to open its mouth wide is not the best tactic.

“That hurts if he grabs hold of it and he can't get the milk out properly,” she advised.

However, if a mother squeezes her breast to make it smaller, “any shaped breast will fit, even into a premature baby's mouth”.

The NHS advises that mothers who are breastfeeding should hold their baby, with its nose level with the nipple, wait until the baby opens its mouth really wide with the tongue down and then quickly bring their baby even closer to their breast.

By doing this, the baby will tilt its head back and come to the mother’s breast chin first and should take a large mouthful of breast.

The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant's life.

It says that breastfeeding (and/or breast milk substitutes, if used) should continue beyond the first six months along with appropriate types and amounts of solid foods.

Mothers who do not follow these recommendations should be supported to optimise their infants' nutrition.

The Infant Feeding Survey 2005 found that initial breastfeeding rates in 2005 were 78 per cent in England, 70 per cent in Scotland, 67 per cent in Wales, and 63 per cent in Northern Ireland.

The highest incidences of breastfeeding were found among mothers from managerial and professional occupations, those with the highest educational levels, those aged 30 or over and first time mothers.

Ms Byam-Cook - a qualified nurse and midwife, who retired from practicing as midwife in 1985 – concluded: "The main thing I disagree with is how women are taught to latch the baby on the breast.

“Reasons so many mothers give up breastfeeding is because they can't latch the baby on [the breast] at all or it hurts, they get sore nipples, they don’t even have milk, [or]the baby won't stop crying.

“They all know breast is best, but if no one can help them even latch the baby on, that is a pretty bad start.”