Breastfeeding guidance makes mothers feel guilty: research Breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight as children, have fewer allergies and infections in infanthood and some studies have suggested they are better behaved and more intelligent than formula-fed babies. The researchers interviewed 36 women and their partners, or family members, while they were pregnant and at intervals after the birth. All but one of the women intended to breastfeed. The researchers did not say how many of the women were still exclusively breastfeeding after six months but included ancedotes from the interviews with details of how each family were feeding their baby. Most of the ancedotes were from women who were mixed feeding, offering formula alongside breastmilk, or had switched to total formula feeding after breastfeeding at the beginning. The over-riding theme throughout the interviews was the mismatch of the idealistic goal of exclusive natural feeding and the reality where women were left without enough support to continue at difficult times, the researchers said. One woman interviewed three weeks after giving birth said: "The way it's kind of promoted sometimes, it's a lovely bonding experience and when you come home, then you feel guilty yourself because you think, well I'm not having this bonding and lovely experience, I'm having, you know, a kind of hard sore experience." She was breastfeeding and had just introduced formula. Another interviewed at six months, who breastfeeding with offering formula and solids, said: "It all seems to be, "don't ever do anything that would interfere with breastfeeding," it's all got to be very purist which is fine, but it just doesn't fit in with the rest of your life and I think in a way people just give up because it's too difficult." Lead author Pat Hoddinott, wrote in the journal: "By promoting six months exclusive breast feeding, policy makers are encouraging idealistic expectations and goals in pregnancy, but health services are not providing the skilled help required to establish breast feeding after birth. "Concern about doing infant feeding "properly" adds to the pressure on unconfident new parents, with some describing it as "just one big guilt trip" and feeling "heartbroken" when a decision to stop breast feeding is made before the woman's ideal time." Gail Johnson, education and professional development advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said: "The evidence to support and promote the value of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months remains unchanged. Breastfeeding should not be seen as an idealistic target, it should be part of the continuum of care for babies. Midwives and other health professionals have an on-going responsibility to support parents in caring for their babies and breastfeeding is a part of this. Many women successfully exclusively breastfeed their babies, however for some families this isn't what they choose to do, it is about personal choice which must be made based on the best evidence available and what is right for each family. It is important that women and their partners receive the most appropriate help and support in caring for their baby and the RCM appreciates that a shortage of midwives can leave some women feeling unsupported with breastfeeding. The long term health benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the baby will be lost without continued support and promotion of breastfeeding by midwives and other health professionals. The Department of Health has announced a £68,000 grant for the charity Maternity Action which helps support women and their employers with breastfeeding after maternity leave. A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "The Department of Health recognises that infant feeding choices are complex and based on individual and family circumstances. Whilst we encourage exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months of life because of the health benefits to mothers and babies, we recognise that not all mothers choose to, or are able to, breastfeed. Help and support for all mothers, whether breastfeeding or not, is available on the NHS Choices website, from midwives and health visitors.