Michelle Tant

 (May 2015) Parents in my antenatal sessions express a number of anxieties about breastfeeding and the early parenting experience however one stands out above the rest; pain. My own dissertation findings highlighted that partners were also worried that it would be painful, with an additional anxiety about how to protect her from this difficulty. Much of breastfeeding antenatal education is focussed on achieving pain free breastfeeding and in supporting women in their feeding problems, sore nipples is a recurrent issue. It has been said that “If you’re doing it properly then it shouldn’t hurt” and this statement has sat uncomfortably with me for a very long time. Ultimately it blames the woman for her own pain, and regardless of her proficiency at positioning and attachment, this sort of language does not empower or encourage women. Furthermore it may well be that her technique is ‘textbook perfect’ but there may be another reason for the pain such as a tongue tie, Raynaud...

Good quality, timely support is absolutely necessary to help mothers to have the breastfeeding experience that they want. We know that of mothers that stopped breastfeeding before 6 months, the vast majority wished that they had continued. The reasons they cite for stopping being pain and failure to thrive among others. Pain is so not necessary in breastfeeding. It's quite often unfortunately that a breastfeeding counsellor will be called to support a mother with cracked, sore and bleeding nips. You can't help feeling that earlier support may well have avoided the issue. Getting a great latch early on is key. Remember that a baby born after 34 weeks has the ability to breastfeed. Babies who are born and put onto their mothers tummies and 'left to it' will find their way and rather helpfully latch themselves on. They don't worry about mummy sitting bolt upright clutching them in a vice like grip and cradle hold, they simply want mummy to be relaxed and al...

The other day I noticed a pregnant woman on crutches, desperately struggling to climb a single stair without moving above her knees whilst simultaneously not twisting her hips and upper body. As I rushed to her aid, in my own mind I was catapulted back to my own pregnancies and I felt her agony.   While you are pregnant, for some reason the expectation from non-pregnant people is that you should be a picture of blooming health, sailing around with that lovely pregnancy glow once the morning sickness has eased off. In fact even some pregnancy books say that once the first few months are passed that you will feel healthier and that you should take advantage of this time before the heaviness of the 3rd trimester kicks in.   So what if pregnancy, morning sickness aside, leaves you unable to walk, unable to move in bed, climb stairs, get in and out of the car, sit up for any length of time, sit down for any length of time… what then? Welcome to the excruciating world of Symphysis Pubi...