From Kim Hanson

Your article (JEP, 8 June) regarding a new centre for mothers and babies which is based at The Bridge sounds a little uninviting to those who wish to bottle-feed their babies!

It begins by saying: ‘A new facility where mothers can meet for a coffee and breast-feed has opened.’ Are bottle-fed babies excluded from the invitation?

Midwives often tell us all about the benefits of breast-feeding, but not about the problems that can be encountered, like the excruciating pain of mastitis, which can be coupled with a fever and other symptoms. This can make you totally incapable of being able to get out of bed in order to care for your baby.

Not to mention the other problems with babies not latching on, and struggling to feed your baby every three or four hours taking its toll on the mother. I could go on regarding other problems which may occur, but I know all midwives are well aware of these; they just seem to forget to tell new mums.

As I am not a midwife but am a mother of two healthy children, I can safely say that it is also okay to bottle-feed your baby and, while agree that breast-feeding has its benefits, so does bottle-feeding.

So for first-time mums, try breast-feeding if you can, but don’t beat yourself up about it and don’t be bullied if it doesn’t work out. Feel free to feed your baby how and where you like!

Returning to The Bridge Centre, are bottle-fed babies welcome, or will they be frowned upon? Oh, and before anyone comes back to me with a sarcastic letter, new mums have a right to know the pros and cons, just as you would expect to know the pros and cons of anything in life.

Roscrea Cottage,
Rue de l’Eglise,
St John.