I have reproduced some of the chat below, because I worry the text will be removed from the original site, and because it's not easy to follow which Q goes with which A on a live webchat. I have not added comments & corrections as I want the words to be clear, but please let me stress than I found very few words of her answers to be helpful to the worried mothers who took part.
See other examples of this expert's poor advice:
- on her blog,
- on the Discontented Baby pages (here)
- a letter to the 'Save our Sleep' blog,
- or watch her on GMTV discussing BF for older children (seated in middle, next to the lovely restrained Ann Sinnott). It's the one where she compares BM with Coca-Cola. {For balance, here is C B-C's response on her own blog.}
- Further exposure on a panel about the starting solids (also with Dr Hilary, it's a doozie) on Daybreak, Jan 2011.
- A short piece here on the blog, Streetsmart Kids
- Thanks to Shel B. for sharing this quote from this 'expert' on a recent BBC1 show, "I don't run an evidence-based practice; I run an experience-based practice".
- C B-C was given some support here on iVillage.
- C B-C was named as a Breastfeeding Counsellor, in the programme about Mrs Beeton (view from 38 mins - it's mostly harmless.)
- Sadly there has been another example of this Expert's work (The Vanessa Show, Channel 5, 7th Feb 2011) - in which the expert promotes bottle use (no cups?!) for babies from 3 weeks, right up to 6 months... Actual brands are named & gushed over. An appearance at the upcoming Baby Show is pushed very heavily, too (unlike her book/DVD, for once). Click here to see a link to the show (segment starts at ~11min 30), or see a transcript here if you'd rather not boost the ratings!! A complaint to the show yielded this standard answer "Thank you for your recent comments regarding the above show. We are very conscious that this is a contentious area, and are always careful with experts we select. We were satisfied Clare Byam-Cook was qualified, but understand that views in this area can be often polarized. We took care to see it was presented in as fair a way as possible."
- Heavily pushed a bottle product on the Vanessa Show - link here for a video on the manufacturer's page, where she discusses how catastrophic it is to have to breastfeed at the doctor's, or in a friend's house. See also the promo videos/adverts placed on YouTube - the mother being advised is a breastfeeder, yet apparently cannot use her breasts outside the home & must "be organised".
- The Baby Show has now been & gone, and here (on HBFW) you can read a report on how it all went. She will also speak at the Baby Show in the autumn.
- When advising Mums on feeding in public; "If you’re breastfeeding, bring a bottle just in case it goes disastrously wrong."
- A telling example was discussed here; but thankfully you can't view the original "guide to BF" by this expert as it was removed by the host site after complaints from properly qualified BF experts and the main BF support organisations.
- Here on YouTube - a clip from her video, 'Breastfeeding without Tears'. Not a dreadful example, but certainly this isn't perfect! Used her finger to quieten the (month-old) baby, and didn't teach the Mum how to latch on properly, just pulled the baby round to the 'right place'. Then went on to increase the number of pillows used. Pillows are best added under your baby after the latch has been sorted out and everything is comfy, to give you a free hand.
- An old press puff piece (2005, Times) in which we read "If breast-feeding is going badly, you can always express your milk and give it in a bottle. This will keep everything going until you can resolve the problems." - only if it comes hand-in-hand with help from a Qualified BF expert.
- Also from 2007, an article in the Daily Mail gushes about yet another case solved by C B-C.
- C B-C is often seen working in conjunction with others such as Annabel Karmel, Gina F*** etc... Videos and written advice here on the Annabel Karmel pages - are full of dubious areas. Nipple Shield recommended for fast flow/ forceful letdown? {Why not suggest lying back?} If "you can only stop {your baby} crying by cuddling him and / or taking him into bed with you", then he is "not feeding well". Want to drink alcohol? - If you follow the 'experts' advice here, you will pump and dump your breastmilk, which is quite false. Arguments against cup-feeding to prevent nipple confusion. And the usual twaddle about checking a breast is empty after feeding (by using a pump).
- "Clare has never advertised her services and says that when the referrals dry up she knows it will be time for her to retire!" - perhaps if that happens, she should use a pump?
- And here - some video examples of C B-C portrayed as a birth expert, too. C B-C is a retired midwife. (This Morning part 1 & 2, )
- This expert's views on the old slogan "Breast is best" are well-known.
- A Mumsnet Webchat - she wouldn't dare
This "BF expert" has a book and DVD to sell, a fact which is made clear within the very first minute of the session.
Having read the "advice" below, why not compose a note to the Royal College of Midwives? Perhaps asking them to distance themselves from the views of their former colleague, and stating how they would have answered the Q's on that webchat?
{Of course, proper recognition of roles & qualifications in this area is a whole other topic!}
Alternatives would be to complain directly to the host of the webchat - Gurgle (link to FB page), and to any other organisations you see asking this person to portray a Breastfeeding Expert.
Another blogger, I want to Breastfeed, has written about this area of concern - unqualified people who charge large amounts of money for advice. Meanwhile the many volunteers in this country have to work hard to undo the myths perpetuated.
The very first answer given in the webchat was to:
Mum1 (Josie) "my little man is very, very demanding.. im really struggling to keep up with him.. i know its stilly but i feel like im failing giving him bottles..its just so exhausting and time consuming.. and at night cos hes so hungry it takes him quite a while to latch on sometimes.. :( any advice? it breaks my heart when i cant provide for him..hes six days old x "
Expert: "Hello Josie, Poor you having such a stressful time. Don't feel that you are a failure for giving him bottles - your little man will just be very grateful that you are giving him some food rather than leaving him to cry and struggle to latch on. Your baby might find it easier to latch on if you gently squeeze your breast vertically to match the shape of his mouth - more details on this can be found in my book and DVD. If he still can't manage to latch on easily you could try using a nipple shield but do be aware that it will only work well if you have a good supply of milk which your baby can easily get through the shield. If your baby can't get enough milk out of your breasts to satisfy him, try using a breast pump so that you can express your own milk and give it to him in a bottle. If you simply can't provide him with enough of your own milk, please don't feel bad if you give him formula as well. And finally..... do ask your community midwife to spend some time with you and see if she can help you get the breastfeeding sorted."
Mum2: (Laura) "i'm going to have a give up breast feeding my 3 week old hes put on so much weight he was 7lb 9 when he was born 3 weeks non hes 10lb 6 which is fab but the boy never stops he will feed off both breast for 40 mins at each feed. as he empties both breasts how ami going to express my milk i start going to a weekly appoiment next week so i'm thinking about bottle feeding but wanted some advice as i breast fed my last for 6 months no problem so what advice should i need to know about bottle feeding x "
Expert: "Hello Laura, you have to stick with the reality here, if your baby always empties both breasts that makes it very difficult if not impossible to express spare milk to give him at your weekly appointment. If you simply cannot express enough breastmilk, you may need to give him formula milk and the advise on how to make up feeds and sterilise bottles is clearly given on the cartons or formula, sterilising units etc"
Mum3: (Twinmummy) "I have 8 wk old twins - have been bf and formula feeding. After bf for up to an hour they do not settle. First feed is fine - it starts after lunch and continues all night. Sometime I end up giving a bottle of formula to shut them up!!! They sometime take over 200ml in a feed of expressed milk. I am tearing my hair out and am sitting here listening to them scream the house down!!!! I spend my entire day feeding them to keep them quiet. Can you help!"
Expert: "Hello Twinmummy, it sounds as though you are having a nightmare time and that the babies are clearly not breastfeeding well. Try and find a local breastfeeding counsellor or midwife to check that you are latching them on properly and you could also use a breastpump to see how much milk you are using, but if nobody can help your babies to feed as well from the breast as they do from the bottle I think for your sanity and their health that you might be better off bottle feeding them - preferably with your own breastmilk but with formula milk if your supply is low."
Mum4: (Gen) "I'm very confused about when to wean my baby - he's 4 months and seems hungry but my health visitor says leave it until 6 months - bit confused... "
Expert: "Hello Gen, the advise has just changed to say that it is recommended that babies are started on solid food anytime between four to six months. Before offering him solids make sure that you are giving him as much milk as he wants so that you are not giving solids instead of milk."
Mum5: (Helen W) "Hi Clare, I read your book and loved it. I agree with Gen, I breastfed my daughter for 6 months and now i'm worried she might be more prone to allergies - is there anything I can do?"
Expert: "Hello Helen W, so glad you loved my book! Well done for breastfeeding for six months and do not worry at all that your daughter might be more prone to allergies. Up until two weeks ago mothers were told that babies were less likely to get allergies if you exclusively breastfeed for six months, so it just goes to show that the advise keeps changing and you shouldn't worry that you have done anything untoward by sticking to the advise that you were given at the time. Breastmilk is always the best for your baby."
(I really must step in here and point out that the ADVICE did not change at all, 2 weeks ago. This is rather contrary to the way Gurgle itself reported the BMJ paper.)
Grrr.
And the final words with which she encourages all the mothers watching the webchat?
"Thank you all for taking part and sorry if I didn't get around to some of your questions, and sorry that some of my answers had to be rather brief. My book on 'Breast and bottle feeding' are available in Mothercare and my DVD 'Breastfeeding without tears' is available on Amazon. I hope you all enjoy breastfeeding and give it your best shot, but remember this 'You are the brand new mother, not an expert so if breastfeeding doesn't work out the people helping you are the failures not you!' "
Hmmm, thanks for your help in making that clear, Clare Byam-Cook.
You can read more on unhelpful online material from this Ffeeders post.
Folks out there can post what they would like to have shared to these worried Mums.... in the comments below {or on our FB page, try the note about this}.
No book-plugging please!!
If seeking advice about Breastfeeding -
try the National Helpline (0300 100 0212)
3 comments:
Mum1 (Josie): Your child may be having trouble with his latch due to nipple-confusion. It is far easier for a child to nurse on a bottle than on the breast and by switching between the two before they are at least 5 weeks old can cause them to forget how to work their jaw muscles properly to breastfeed. I recommend that you hold off using bottles for the time being until your nursing relationship is stable and he is latching without difficulty. Nursing on demand at night will prevent him from getting so upset that he has trouble calming himself enough to latch. To help him witch his latch, simply place him vertically on your chest and allow him to root for the nipple and self-attach. Babies have the wondrous ability to locate and attach themselves by using their faces to zero in on the nipple (which looks like he is turning his face side to side repeatedly) and sliding their bodies to align with the breast properly. It simply takes patience and eventually he will latch on without needing to do this.
Mum2: Breastfeeding works on the supply and demand concept; as in the more milk that is taken out, the more your breasts will produce. It may seem like your breasts are empty but in reality they are not. Imagine that each breast is a cup that as you are emptying, someone is slowly pouring more in so they are never really ‘empty’. If you express or pump milk in between feeds, your body will retaliate by producing even more milk because it receives the signal that your baby needs more. Different pumps work differently for each mum, depending on her breasts so finding the one that works best for you is crucial. It may require for you to pump in between feeds diligently for the first little while until your supply increases enough for you to express without difficulty. It will take a few days for your supply to accommodate the need but it WILL accommodate.
Mum3: Breastfeeding one young infant is time consuming; having two babies’ needs to meet is certainly a challenge. Some infants require nursing every 2-3 hours if more even, at 20-40 minute feedings each time. Keep in mind that breastmilk is digested easier and quicker than formula so they will need to be fed more often if breastfed. It is normal then to expect that your twins will require much of your time for feedings however your supply should meet the demand whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or pumping or doing both. You can build up a supply by pumping in between feeds until you have enough to express and put aside for those times that you need a break from nursing them. Ensuring that they are latching properly and thus getting the most out of each feeding is necessary as well.
Mum4: Your child will signal to you when they are ready to start solids. Typically when they are able to sit up on their own is a good indicator as well as reaching for food and putting it in their own mouths. Breastfed children do not need the nutrients from solid food until about 12 months of age but getting them accustomed to different textures through food exploration is a good step to take. Children will also typically grow through a growth spurt at around 4 and 6 months which will show by needing to nurse more often. This does not necessarily indicate that they need to begin solids, only that they require more feedings to keep up with their growing bodies. You can always offer foods to your child and see if they show any interest in eating them but if all they do is play with them, force feeding them when they are not ready is not recommended because it can foster negative feeding habits.
Mum1 (Josie): Your child may be having trouble with his latch due to nipple-confusion. It is far easier for a child to nurse on a bottle than on the breast and by switching between the two before they are at least 5 weeks old can cause them to forget how to work their jaw muscles properly to breastfeed. I recommend that you hold off using bottles for the time being until your nursing relationship is stable and he is latching without difficulty. Nursing on demand at night will prevent him from getting so upset that he has trouble calming himself enough to latch. To help him witch his latch, simply place him vertically on your chest and allow him to root for the nipple and self-attach. Babies have the wondrous ability to locate and attach themselves by using their faces to zero in on the nipple (which looks like he is turning his face side to side repeatedly) and sliding their bodies to align with the breast properly. It simply takes patience and eventually he will latch on without needing to do this.
Mum2: Breastfeeding works on the supply and demand concept; as in the more milk that is taken out, the more your breasts will produce. It may seem like your breasts are empty but in reality they are not. Imagine that each breast is a cup that as you are emptying, someone is slowly pouring more in so they are never really ‘empty’. If you express or pump milk in between feeds, your body will retaliate by producing even more milk because it receives the signal that your baby needs more. Different pumps work differently for each mum, depending on her breasts so finding the one that works best for you is crucial. It may require for you to pump in between feeds diligently for the first little while until your supply increases enough for you to express without difficulty. It will take a few days for your supply to accommodate the need but it WILL accommodate.
Mum3: Breastfeeding one young infant is time consuming; having two babies’ needs to meet is certainly a challenge. Some infants require nursing every 2-3 hours if more even, at 20-40 minute feedings each time. Keep in mind that breastmilk is digested easier and quicker than formula so they will need to be fed more often if breastfed. It is normal then to expect that your twins will require much of your time for feedings however your supply should meet the demand whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or pumping or doing both. You can build up a supply by pumping in between feeds until you have enough to express and put aside for those times that you need a break from nursing them. Ensuring that they are latching properly and thus getting the most out of each feeding is necessary as well.
Mum4: Your child will signal to you when they are ready to start solids. Typically when they are able to sit up on their own is a good indicator as well as reaching for food and putting it in their own mouths. Breastfed children do not need the nutrients from solid food until about 12 months of age but getting them accustomed to different textures through food exploration is a good step to take. Children will also typically grow through a growth spurt at around 4 and 6 months which will show by needing to nurse more often. This does not necessarily indicate that they need to begin solids, only that they require more feedings to keep up with their growing bodies. You can always offer foods to your child and see if they show any interest in eating them but if all they do is play with them, force feeding them when they are not ready is not recommended because it can foster negative feeding habits.
Blogger had a wee moment there, so apologies that WolfMother's comment appears twice.
But thanks for the sanity of your replies to these worried Mums!
x Lisa
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