Mums-to-be should avail of breast advice

SUZANNE Harrington’s article (August 9) is an emotional reaction to another mother’s emotional reaction to her successful breastfeeding. Unfortunately, both preclude much-needed discussion.

If you managed to breastfeed successfully, you’re invariably assumed to be a middle-class, Guardian-reading, recycling vegetarian who assumes all who didn’t/couldn’t breastfeed are failures as mothers. This view is neither helpful nor accurate.

People who have successfully breastfed are almost always advocates – and some are more obnoxious than others. Thankfully, things have moved on in the years since Ms Harrington had her children. Who needs to be figuring out latching, rugby-holds and the rest of the jargon when getting over the joys of labour?

One useful idea these days is to get the help before the baby comes along so you’ll have a few tricks up your very tired sleeves and someone to call if they don’t work.

Locally, Cork University Materntity Hospital offers free breastfeeding classes. Support groups like Cuidiu, La Leche and others have free breastfeeding counsellors at the end of a phone or available to call over (some even at three in the morning when the world appears to be conspiring against you).

Supermodel and supermum debates aside, all mums want the same thing– happy children and the odd lie-in.

Orla McLean

Lake Lawn

Well Road

Cork