Struggling mums need more help

WHILE pregnant, I assumed that I would breastfeed my baby for the first six months and beyond ('Mothers told to breastfeed children until two', July 13). My husband and I attended local classes, read books and bought the required paraphernalia (bras, breast pads, hand pump, etc).

After a difficult labour, my daughter and I struggled to establish breastfeeding. The visiting midwives did offer some advice, but were not able to stay and offer practical help. The same went for the health visitor. After a month of grappling with a hungry crying newborn, bleeding breasts, nipple guards and breast pumps, I had to make the very difficult decision that my baby would be better served by a full belly and a mother not nearing the brink of postnatal depression.

The pressure on new mothers to breastfeed is immense, but it is not backed with practical support. I could have used a professional to come and spend a half hour or so with me and my daughter. Instead, I got offhand advice and pressure to 'keep trying'. The money going to be spent stressing the importance of breastfeeding for the first two years would be better spent providing lactation consultants to support struggling mothers.

Elizabeth Deane, Bridge of Allan