THE majority of women would be too embarrassed to breastfeed their baby in front of a stranger, according to a national survey. AMY FENTON spoke to local mums about their experiences and to bust some myths

WITH Barrow sitting firmly, and somewhat disappointingly, among the bottom four towns in England ranked by breastfeeding rate, it could be suggested that a national survey claiming two thirds of women are too embarrassed to breastfeed in public is understandable.

However, mums in Barrow have been having their say - and they strongly disagree.

Some claim to have experienced hostile reactions from members of the public and although some said their initial experiences in public were a little daunting, most said they quickly got over any feelings of self-consciousness.

Overwhelmingly, mothers in the area who expressed their views during a social media debate on the matter said they were proud to breastfeed or to have breastfed their children and were undaunted by any potential response.

Tammy Heighton was hailed by another mum as something of a local role model, having breastfed all six of her children.

She said: "Yep and I feed them anywhere with a blanket over my shoulder, in Pets at Home, on the bus, at McDonald's, I'm not shy!"

Holly Fisher, who recalled one incident where a stranger asked if he could "have a go" when she was breastfeeding, said: "I think the reason most women are worried are because of the unsolicited nasty comments. Personally I've never had to deal with it, but if I ever did you can bet they wish they hadn't started!"

Some mums do admit to feeling embarrassed at times, but are resolute that what they are doing is the best thing for their babies.


Christina Howker and baby Seth Christina Howker said: "If I'm honest, I do a bit. But I hate that I do and I try not to let it stop me. After all, my baby's needs are more important than what strangers might think. Just got to get on with it really."

Although the subject will inevitably generate childish comments from some men, others were keen to firmly stand behind a mum's right to breastfeed in public without fear of ridicule or disgust.

Andrew Brown, whose comment was well-received by mums taking part in the debate, said: "As a bloke I don't find it offensive, embarrassing or a shameful thing for a mother to be doing in public. I could happily sit next a feeding mother and baby and have a conversation etc. It's just a natural thing to do."

The benefits of breastmilk are endless. It's available whenever you need it, it protects your baby from illnesses and infections, it's tailored specifically for your baby and it provides health benefits for mums and babies alike - with breastfed babies less likely to develop allergies or skin conditions.

Breastfeeding can also save thousands of pounds, with no need to buy formula, bottles and other bottle-feeding paraphernalia.

So with all these proud mothers happy to share their stories, and the benefits of breastfeeding, why are so many mums in Barrow choosing to bottle feed their babies?

Vicky Peake from the Action for Children charity's Barrow team, believes a number of factors come into play.

"It could be down to culture," she said. "You might have multi-generational households or families where grandmothers, mums and daughters are all living together. So there could be a privacy issue there.

"What we do find locally is that if a mum has breastfed, she's likely to encourage, and help, her own daughter to breastfeed. On the other side of it, the daughters of women who didn't breastfeed are less likely to breastfeed."

However, perceptions and expectations could be creating a false sense of embarrassment for some breastfeeding mothers, as Ulverston mum Victoria Olivia explained.

"I've breastfed in a lot of places and only ever felt self conscious over possible negative comments, but I've never had one," she said.

"People comment negatively on my little one having a dummy rather than her feeding. The media has made women feel afraid by only highlighting the negativity surround breastfeeding."

Although the response from members of the public to breastfeeding in public is overwhelmingly positive as reported by mums on the Evening Mail's Facebook page, Christine Johnson did admit to feeling awkward when a woman was breastfeeding near her in a cafe.

She said: "I would never comment but I feel a little embarrassed seeing someone breastfeeding if they are doing it too openly - sat in a café once and a woman was feeding her baby without trying to use any discretion, like a towel or jacket, and I felt sorry for all the men in the vicinity, especially the older ones who I could see were not comfortable."

Despite Barrow languishing at the bottom of the league table, there are signs that the image and take-up of breastfeeding is, albeit slowly, improving locally.

The first ever national Breastfeeding Festival, now in its seventh year and held across two days at a conference centre in Manchester, was set up by three mums from Ulverston.

And Action for Children hold breastfeeding support groups weekly in Barrow and Dalton - every Wednesday from 10am until noon at Greengate Children's Centre in Greengate Street, and every Thursday from 11.15am until 12.15pm at Dalton Children's Centre in the grounds of Dowdales.

There is still a long way to go, however, to overcome some of the issues faced locally and nationally in increasing the number of mums who breastfeed.

Training is one, with midwives not given any whatsoever on the topic of breastfeeding - meaning that at a crucial stage in getting to grips with the art of breastfeeding, just after birth, many mums do not have access to the resources they need.

If breastfeeding is not established within the first few hours or days after birth, it can be difficult if not impossible to attempt at a later time.

"Breastfeeding doesn't form part of the training for midwives or health visitors," Mrs Peake said.

"So unless they have a particular interest in it, or they breastfed themselves, then they are not going to be in a position to help others as well.

"It is a really hard one to unpick though; it's difficult to pinpoint identifiable reasons, all we can do it to continue encouraging mums and finding new ways to get those messages across to them."

BUSTING BREASTFEEDING MYTHS

Myth: "Some women don't produce enough breast milk."

Fact: Almost all women are physically able to breastfeed. Early, frequent feeding and responding to your baby's cues give you the best start to establishing your supply.

Myth: "Breastfeeding hurts."

Fact: Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a baby and it shouldn't hurt. If you experience pain in your breasts or nipples, it's usually because your baby isn't positioned or attached properly. Ask your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist to watch a whole feed to help spot the problem.

Myth: "Breastfeeding will make my breasts sag."

Fact: Breastfeeding doesn't cause your breasts to sag, but pregnancy hormones can stretch the ligaments that support your breasts. Wear a well-fitting bra while you're pregnant.

Myth: "My nipples are flat or even inverted, so I won't be able to breastfeed."

Fact: Nipples come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Holding your baby skin-to-skin after birth will help them find the best way to attach themselves. Your baby breastfeeds, not nipple feeds, so as long as they can get a good mouthful of breast they should be able to feed perfectly happily.

Myth: "Babies don't need breast milk once they start solid foods at about six months."

Fact: Breastfeeding still has lots of benefits for you and your baby after six months. It protects them from infections and there's some evidence that it helps them to digest solid foods. It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients they need.