Are women under too much pressure to breastfeed at all costs?
The mantra of “breast is best” has been repeated so vociferously, that many women feel under huge pressure to breastfeed their baby, no matter what. But while breast milk is undoubtedly the best start for a baby, one neonatologist has said that we’re so fearful of criticising breastfeeding that no one dare speak up about the possible down-sides. There’s concern that the increasing trend for breastfeeding is putting babies at risk of Hypernatraemic Dehydration in a small number of cases, because mothers are doggedly persisting with breastfeeding in the early days of their baby’s life, without realising that their child is not receiving enough milk. So what should healthcare professionals be doing to ensure the best start for mother and baby, are women under too much pressure to breastfeed at all costs and what’s so wrong with a bottle of formula?
