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One evening last week,  I was supposed to deliver a study event in Lincoln to 45 health care professionals (HCPs) in their own time, on postnatal depression and its affects on breastfeeding. I did the presentation to only 5 HCPs who actually did attend.

Why?

Because the other 40 had been too worried to attend due to threats.

Why?

Because the event was organised by a company that produce baby milk.

NHS staff had received an in-house e-mail yesterday threatening them that action ‘could’ be taken if they attended. In the hotel car park there was someone handing out leaflets ‘attacking’ the company and intimidating the few who had decided they would still attend.

I completely understand that breastfeeding is ‘best’. I adored being able to feed my son myself until hospitalisation forced us apart and I had to stop overnight when he was 7 months old. I was told I had ‘chosen’ a bad time as it was Christmas and there were no staff for the Mother and Baby unit at the time.  I now know that abrupt weaning like that could have made my postnatal psychosis worse. What was my baby supposed to be fed on then? He would have starved and died unless formula feed was available!

My niece was also bottle fed as my sister was so poorly when she was born. Last week I had the delight of meeting a friend who had twin girls last year. Again, without formula milk they would not be here. Both mothers felt disappointment at not being able to breastfeed and felt a sense of loss and failure. This is made worse by the pressures put on them by pressures and judgements from organisations and people who should support – not discriminate.

Bluntly, baby milk is a life saver!

So why is there such a stigma against the companies? I have spoken for the two main formula companies in the UK now for many years. All I have ever experienced are knowledgeable team members who briefly share the details and advantages of different milk to inform HCPs to know what is available should a woman choose to bottle feed – for whatever reason,

The training budget has been cut massively in recent years within the NHS. The baby milk companies have been able to fill some of these gaps. The competition is between themselves, as in any other type of product, and NOT against breast feeding. They supply some excellent information to help mothers in this, as well as all the knowledge relevant to infant nutrition.

I know that in the past such companies were criticised for the Freebies given out to HCPs, e.g pens, toys, etc. This has stopped. The only thing that HCPs get at study events is up to date and relevant information, a meal and a chance to network IN THEIR OWN TIME!

The UNICEF ‘guide for health workers to working within the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes’ states

‘there is nothing to stop individual health workers attending such events on their own time’ (page 12).

So why do some NHS managers feel they should bully their team members into choosing what to learn and attend in their own time? The companies often attend large conferences and events put on by unions and any baby associated events. Their sponsorship is most welcomed there. HCPs do not get bullied about going to these events. Where is the difference?

I recently spoke at a similar event in London and after a few minutes, a midwife approaching retirement, asked me why there weren’t any students in the room as she felt they would benefit immensely from the knowledge I was sharing. They had been banned from attending.

My purpose for speaking about postnatal depression is to help others have a happier and healthier early motherhood. By sharing my knowledge with HCPs I can go some way to achieving this.

What saddens be greatly is that 40 willing midwives, health visitors, and other relevant professionals missed out last week on information and encouragement which potentially would make their role easier and more effective in helping families. Listening to the cuts in services, the pressures placed on the teams and the lack of training available is very worrying.

So why on earth were people intimidated and bullied against improving their knowledge?

I am not alone in being willing to speak at these events. There are a range of consultants, academics involved in writing NICE guidelines, etc. also willing to share their knowledge and fill the gaps that are there.

In the research around postnatal depression and breastfeeding, one thread is about helping women to make informed decisions around how they want to feed their baby. If those who are supposed to know what to help them with are made to feel they are wicked and evil by even acknowledging that bottle feeding is an option, then surely that is discrimination? Ultimately this will add to the anxiety of both the mother (and to her baby) plus the healthcare professional?

In an ideal world all mothers would breastfeed their babies. This will never happen due sometimes to physical issues and sometimes this is the choice of the mother. The key issue is to help mothers and support their choice. A good start to this would be to end the discrimination and stigma against bottle feeding.

I strongly suspect that in doing so we would see breastfeeding duration increase as the stress would be lessened around the pressure of either wanting or needing to bottle feed.

New mothers often feel the weight of guilt concerning many aspects. By putting pressure on the people who are willing and able to support them, we add to that guilt.

In the meantime, whenever I am invited, I have every intention to speak at any event aimed at supporting new mothers.

Last night I delivered the same talk to HCPs in Dartford, Kent. Thank goodness there are now almost 40 ladies there now who have received up to date knowledge, resources and research concerning postnatal illness and breastfeeding. The important aspect is to be able to support women on an individual basis.