I know first-hand what it is like when feeding your baby does not go to plan, and it is from my own experiences that I have developed a special interest in infant feeding, and the psychological impact of infant feeding on parents…

 

My feeding journey with my youngest child was tricky! Her tongue-tie resulted in a poor latch, feeding aversion and slow weight gain. Unfortunately, I experienced feelings of being dismissed and the difficulties being misunderstood by various (not all!) professionals, whilst I tried to feed a baby who just did not want to feed, and who cried a lot. I was very fortunate to be able to work with some wonderful professionals, and we were able to work out what was going on, and have the tongue-tie released (for the second time), and then help her to overcome her feeding aversion.

 

This lead me to do my own reading into the factors that influence infant feeding (including breastfeeding and other methods of feeding babies), the impact of infant feeding on parents, and the possible resulting grief and trauma. Infant feeding has become an area of special interest. I am not pro breast or bottle feeding; I am pro feeding choices, and mothers should be supported to feed their babies however they choose. My concern is the resulting psychological impact when this is not happening or did not happen.