The Breastfeeding Manifesto states: ‘If these women had received consistent, accurate information and support, the vast majority of them could have continued to breastfeed their babies.' The UK Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, yet fewer than 2% of babies in the UK are exclusively breastfed at 6 months.

The NHS and local Government along with many charities and generous, well-meaning volunteers and experts in the field offer support in many forms.  However, midwives and health visitors are the first point of contact for most new mothers and are invaluable in establishing correct latching techniques and empowering women to believe that they can make the choice to breastfeed.  There are also breastfeeding clinics and centres, lactation consultants, breastfeeding counsellors, and breastfeeding peer support available to assist and encourage mothers once they have started to breastfeed. 

However, the greatest improvement in boosting breastfeeding statistics will probably come about as a result of the Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative (a further £2m investment was announced by the Government on 5th August 2008).  Although only implemented in 9.5% of hospitals in England currently, an estimated 50% are working towards Unicef's Baby Friendly standards. Once implemented it is believed that these hospitals will successfully support more mothers to start breastfeeding. Statistics gathered already show the proportion of babies breastfed at birth increases by more than 10% on average over four years when hospitals implement the Baby Friendly standards.

If a mother does find herself needing assistance, advice or just a friendly encouraging voice, there are many places she can turn to.  The NCT (National Childbirth Trust) is a wonderful place to start.  The charity offers a free service of a breastfeeding supportline where a mother can talk to a qualified breastfeeding counsellor for information and support to help breastfeed successfully. 

NCT Breastfeeding Line - 0870 444 8708, 8am-10pm, seven days a week

A doula or a peer supporter will have undergone some basic training usually taught by one of the major breastfeeding organisations.  Their knowledge is typically limited to their own personal experience and this basic training and as such, they should be able to offer you friendly advice and guide you, referring you to more specialist help should you require.  Doulas charge by the hour and offer general support at home as well as encouragement with breastfeeding and peer supporters are generally volunteers.

There are many organisations who train specialists who work with new mothers.  It is a good idea to ensure complete training has been undertaken and that the certifying body is in good standing.  Most of these professionals or volunteers would also hold a CRB check, personal liability insurance and current membership to the appropriate professional body.

Wetnurses are available in some areas, but not terribly easy to find and have no official national organisation or qualifications at this time.  A personal recommendation may be your only way to ensure they are qualified.  You may wish to see a current HIV and Hepatitis blood screen before you employ them.

Common breastfeeding problems

These include sore or chapped nipples, inverted nipples, engorgement, mastitis, thrush, the baby not sucking ‘properly', and ‘insufficient milk' production. 

The most important way to overcome a great many of these problems is to stop them before they start.  A majority of breastfeeding problems come from incorrect latching technique.  Our society is so removed from breastfeeding today that we rarely see women in public nurturing their babies in this way, and even as children in the home most of us have not witnessed a mother breastfeeding her baby.  Frequently a new mother's first experience of breastfeeding is when she is handed her own baby for the first time.  We are no longer familiar with this perfectly natural function and so expert help is an absolute necessity. 

In the first instance a new mother should always ask for help establishing that early latch with her newborn.  It is imperative that both the new mother and the new baby learn this vital skill correctly from the beginning.  Midwives or doulas will happily show you how best to achieve this shortly after your baby has been born.  Once both mother and baby have learnt the optimal position in which to feed, problems are rare.  Slight chapping and sore nipples are not unusual and can be helped by changing position, or applying a topical ointment such as Kamillosan.  Containing natural chamomile, Kamillosan is gentle enough to be applied between feeds and won't interfere with the breastfeeding routine.

Tips for Breastfeeding Success

• Positioning is key. The nipple needs to be close to baby's nose
• Alternate breasts should be used in turn
• Having a glass of water close by is a good idea
• Resting and eating whenever possible are important
• Learning several breastfeeding positions allows different parts of the nipple to be accessed.
• Comfortable breastfeeding clothes mean breastfeeding in public is no big deal
• No sleeping on tummies or tight bras.
• Never pull your baby off the breast, slide your finger in his mouth and break the suction before you separate baby from breast.
• Rub the sole of your baby's foot in a clockwise direction with the ball of your thumb will help him stay awake.
• Enjoy nightfeeds - nocturnal feeds help boost the milk supply.
• A soothing ointment like Kamillosan helps protect sore nipples while they heal.  Moist healing works twice as quickly as when left dry to heal alone.

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