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Keywords: breastfeeding, tandem feeding, maternal psychology, aversion, case study
Breastfeeding Review 2018; 26(2), 37-40
INTRODUCTION
The women who volunteer as breastfeeding counsellors with the Australian Breastfeeding Association may reasonably be supposed to have achieved a satisfying breastfeeding relationship. Many have had difficulties with breastfeeding, but they have breastfed for at least 6 months and had enough positives in the experience that they want to help other women to experience rewarding breastfeeding too. They are sufficiently motivated to commit time and effort over months of study, to train as breastfeeding counsellors. In general, then, they are women who have enjoyed breastfeeding. The following case study reports the experience of one such woman who after many months of enjoying breastfeeding her daughter found that breastfeeding changed from enjoyable to distressing; from enhancing her relationship with her daughter to apparently threatening it. While tandem feeding her toddler and newborn daughters, Amy experienced breastfeeding aversion.
Amy's experience
Amy's first birth was a normal vaginal delivery; a waterbirth in hospital. The establishment ofbreastfeeding was not easy.
... I remember the midwife forcing Emily to the breast from the start and this spiralled into her refusing the breast...
Amy persisted through time-consuming expression and syringe and cup-feeding, using a nipple shield, and having Emily bite her while teething.
After a miscarriage, Amy began training as a breastfeeding counsellor. She had found the support and information provided by ABA breastfeeding counsellors very helpful through the hard times of feeding Emily and now found empathy and friendship as she trained.
Amy became pregnant again and aimed to tandem feed her two children. Charlotte began breastfeeding within an hour of birth, with no problems. Amy happily breastfed both children. However, as time went on, Emily found it hard to accept sharing breastfeeds, and the peaceful tandem feeds Amy had enjoyed so much declined at times into Emily crying and even hitting her little sister. Amy said:
I literally felt my heart break a little; it was the first time I felt anger at breastfeeding Emily. I ignored the feeling. I was tired, shocked, upset and emotional - my husband had been traveling every week with work since Charlotte was tiny. I told myself it didn't happen. How could my favourite thing in the world...