• The
most difficult part of breastfeeding is usually the beginning.
After that it gets easier and easier.
• It may
take two weeks to establish breastfeeding and another four weeks
for the baby and the supplier to settle into a pattern – the feeding
habits of bottle-fed babies will be just as erratic at first.
• Beginning
to sleep through the night depends on the baby, not on whether
he is breast- or bottle-fed.
• Mothers
who want to breastfeed but run into difficulties should get help
from a breastfeeding counsellor or community or hospital midwife
who favours breastfeeding and is experienced. Most problems can
be overcome or avoided.
• Mothers
who switch from breast to bottle because they want to should not
have to pretend it was because of problems, but rather congratulate
themselves on breastfeeding at the beginning, even if it was only
for a few days.
• Caring,
sensitive mothers who have to or who want to bottle-feed will
make sure they have just as close and loving a relationship with
their baby.
• Similarly,
women who have serious problems in becoming a mother and how they
feel about their baby will rarely make things right just by forcing
themselves to breastfeed.
