As someone who has successfully breastfed for quite a long time now, I would say that nowhere else in health care is there such disparity between the messaging to do it and the support available to do so. It’s nuts. My own critical source of support was a wonderful IBCLC who understandably, wasn’t free (though she does give up a lot of her time for free at a local community support group). I think it is another, in a long list of examples, example of women’s health and wellbeing as a side note rather than a critical priority.
I have had a third degree nipple
crack but never taken my daughter swimming, now what does that tell you.
Thank you for sharing the breast feeding article. My son was born 3 months premature and I was pressured into exclusively pumping by the nurses and lactation staff at my hospital (US), never once being offered the alternative of formula, which in reality was always going to be what my son needed to gain weight. I truly was made to feel that all I was good for was to supply breast milk and it was the least I could do (since obviously I had "failed" at pregnancy and now my baby was in the NICU). To all the moms out there, everything you do for your baby counts, not just this one thing, and you should be given all the support for whatever you decide.
And as my husband likes to say, "You probably know plenty of smart, funny, successful people who were given formula as a baby."
Very well said! I'm so sad that you had that experience. The idea that you have somehow failed your baby by giving them formula is so unfair. And trying to pump when you're exhausted and anxious is miserable. Fed is best - so is a happy, relaxed mum!
We were VERY late to the verruca-party, sorry swimming party, in our corner of north west London. I signed my son up for swimming lessons last September as he started Year 3. He was 7, almost a geriatric age by London’s swimming standards. The reason for that? I hate swimming pools as much as you do. Do you think that all the other parents pretend to like it? The social pressure is immense! I am yet to meet one parent in real life who dislikes swimming pools as much as I do. So thank you for this! I feel less of a weirdo.
Fwiw, the best option I found for family pool situations is a zippy-panel-y type costume from Finisterre. Four summers plus two years of weekly lessons and it's still going strong.
Late to the party here too- my daughter is also four and half but every time we go swimming (I say this like we go often- we don't), she gets horrendously ill. I thought chlorine was meant to kill germs but clearly not enough is being used in south London. Also the smell of piss from the shower area is so strong you can smell it from the pool.
As someone who has successfully breastfed for quite a long time now, I would say that nowhere else in health care is there such disparity between the messaging to do it and the support available to do so. It’s nuts. My own critical source of support was a wonderful IBCLC who understandably, wasn’t free (though she does give up a lot of her time for free at a local community support group). I think it is another, in a long list of examples, example of women’s health and wellbeing as a side note rather than a critical priority.
I have had a third degree nipple
crack but never taken my daughter swimming, now what does that tell you.
It's madness. Most of the mums I know have had to pay for additional breastfeeding support.
Save yourself from the pool for as long as you can!!
Thank you for sharing the breast feeding article. My son was born 3 months premature and I was pressured into exclusively pumping by the nurses and lactation staff at my hospital (US), never once being offered the alternative of formula, which in reality was always going to be what my son needed to gain weight. I truly was made to feel that all I was good for was to supply breast milk and it was the least I could do (since obviously I had "failed" at pregnancy and now my baby was in the NICU). To all the moms out there, everything you do for your baby counts, not just this one thing, and you should be given all the support for whatever you decide.
And as my husband likes to say, "You probably know plenty of smart, funny, successful people who were given formula as a baby."
Very well said! I'm so sad that you had that experience. The idea that you have somehow failed your baby by giving them formula is so unfair. And trying to pump when you're exhausted and anxious is miserable. Fed is best - so is a happy, relaxed mum!
Ok but I laughed out loud at “feet dehusked” because same.
Dreading sandal season...
We were VERY late to the verruca-party, sorry swimming party, in our corner of north west London. I signed my son up for swimming lessons last September as he started Year 3. He was 7, almost a geriatric age by London’s swimming standards. The reason for that? I hate swimming pools as much as you do. Do you think that all the other parents pretend to like it? The social pressure is immense! I am yet to meet one parent in real life who dislikes swimming pools as much as I do. So thank you for this! I feel less of a weirdo.
Should we start a support club?!
I have to go a bit out of body to cope with leisure centre changing rooms
Don't make direct eye contact with the floor 🤢
Fwiw, the best option I found for family pool situations is a zippy-panel-y type costume from Finisterre. Four summers plus two years of weekly lessons and it's still going strong.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
This is too relatable! Chasing a naked 2.5 year old through the changing rooms at 28 weeks pregnant was probably a highlight/deeply traumatising
Late to the party here too- my daughter is also four and half but every time we go swimming (I say this like we go often- we don't), she gets horrendously ill. I thought chlorine was meant to kill germs but clearly not enough is being used in south London. Also the smell of piss from the shower area is so strong you can smell it from the pool.