Breastfeeding Consultation 2012

The breast feeding consultation project was developed and collated by Bolton CVS in

2012. The following report and information was derived from a 20 min consultation

that took place either as a one to one interview or as part of a group consultation, 81

women took part. The consultation was developed to inform good practice in Bolton.

94% of the women consulted planned to breastfeed their baby.

How long did you breast feed your baby for?

Benefits of breastfeeding

• Healthier for the baby

• Gaps in the stomach close

• Reduces risk of breast cancer

• Helps womb to retract

• You don’t have to prepare milk in middle of night

• Less things to carry when you go out

• Less vomiting by the baby

• Your body goes back to normal shape

• Stronger bond with baby

• Cheaper than the bottle

• Immunities for the baby

• No sterilising needed

• Baby less likely to be overweight

• Baby less likely to get colic

• Safer milk temperature

• Colostrum is good for baby

• Reduce infection

• Cheaper

How well did feeding go in the first few days?

Was the baby given anything other than breast milk in the first 3 days after birth?

76% Nothing

30% Bottle milk

11% Honey

5% Date *(Tahneek)

Who gave you the most help in terms of breastfeeding support?

What made it difficult to breastfeed?

• Having C sections

• Undiagnosed tongue tie

• Busy with other siblings

• Painful nipples

• No public places to breastfeed

• Lack of help in hospital – nurses had no time

• Emotional stress

• Having triplets made it difficult

• Baby was tongue tied

• Living with other family members (in laws)

• Baby was very demanding

• Latching issues

• Baby did not like it

• Visitors calling all the time

• Being on my own while husband works

• Very tired all the time

• Would not feed in public places

• Very demanding on my time

• Family commitments

• Very time consuming

• Small baby

How did you feel about breastfeeding in front of others or in public places?

Did not go out when breastfeeding

Felt embarrassed at first. Once went to an event and had to feed in toilet which was not

ideal

Constantly leaving places to feed

Prefer to be where no one can see me

I wore a burka or big shawl to cover myself while I fed the baby

I hardly went out and if I did, I breastfed before I left the house

No privacy

Felt exposed

Did you use any traditional feeding practices for baby?

• Boiled cold water

• Boiled water with honey

• Boiled water with fennel seeds

• Boiled water with dill seeds

• Boiled water with mint leaves

• Gripe water

• Ate differently – fenugreek supplements

What do you think mothers in Bolton would find helpful to breastfeed in terms of

support?

At what age did your baby start solids or what age do you plan to offer solids to your

baby?

Tahneek

Like most religions, Islam has a tradition by which a newborn is welcomed into the world

and the faith. The specifics of this tradition are drawn from the Sunnah: The sayings and

living habits of The Prophet Muhammad as recorded in the Qur'an or Koran. There are

slight variations in the following practices some which are compulsory (fard) and some

which are merely recommended (sunnah).

1. Recite the call to prayer, or Adhan, in the baby's right ear immediately after the

newborn has been washed. The call to prayer precedes worship in Islam and is

roughly translated as: "God is great; there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the

messenger of Allah." This is traditionally the responsibility of the father. These holy

words should be the first the newborn hears.

2. Rub a piece of softened date along the baby's gum or palate. This practice is called

Tahneek and can be done by the father or mother or anyone in a position to offer a

prayer of supplication on the child's behalf soon after birth. Such supplication

usually precedes Tahneek. The baby's first taste should be of something sweet; and

the belief is that this also stimulates the newborn's digestive enzymes. If a date is

unavailable, an alternative such as honey is acceptable.

This report is available to view on the Bolton CVS website.

For further details regarding how this report has influenced practice and policy please

contact Anjana