Majority mums vote breastfeeding not always best

Despite the pressure put on new mums to successfully breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months of their life, just 44 per cent of UK mums believe that breastfeeding is always best.

A survey of more than 1000 mums by website KidStart.co.uk, found that 19 per cent of mums feel it is important to put their own well-being first.

A further 13 per cent think it is important to research all the arguments in favour of each before making a final decision and 8 per cent said that no one had the right to tell them how to feed their babies.

GP Registrar Dr Clare Heggie said: “Breastfeeding is the method that has been proven to be the most beneficial time and time again. Unfortunately it does not suit everyone and lots of women who try breastfeeding and had to give up for one reason or another are left feeling guilty and that they have failed.

“In some cases they may give up because they have some complication or difficulty with breastfeeding, or because they have to return to work earlier. Ultimately, the decision of whether to breast or bottle feed has to be made by the mum and there is no point trying to breast feed when mum just doesn’t want to do it or when breast feeding is intolerable either to Mum or baby. It is vital that mums make their own decision about feeding using all the information provided.”