Read here about the benefits of breastfeeding to Mum & child. (Also this FF page.)
Here's the science bit; an understanding of what your body is doing can help you to work with the milk, not against it! (A quick video is here on About.com)
You will find several resources online which help you as you start to feed.
These include quick guides from:-
- La Leche League (a first guide available as a pdf, or leaflets) and a new Toolkit of excellent leaflets,
Guidelines will help you with topics such as...
How to position your baby & latch on to the nipple...Remember your baby knows what to do...(Mothering Magazine article, and the Breast Crawl video, and Coulson's pages on biological nurturing.)
When to feed your baby (don't watch the clock!!).
You will learn to read your baby's feeding cues - see this video in which baby is trying to let Mum know something! (Also here - try and latch your baby on at the first signs, rather than waiting for the frantic cries?)
How to filter out what other people tell you about breastfeeding. (In other words, myth-busting and informing yourself with true facts.)
How to become a breastfeeding mother if you have previously been a bottlefeeding mother? (Other mothers' stories on eg. Dr Jay Gordon).
How to ensure that you surround yourself with a strong support system.
How to think through any challenges you may encounter:
- painful nipples can be due to nipple blebs/milk blisters, thrush, but mainly a poor feeding position will be the cause of soreness (remember, nipple shields are a last resort - use them only with advice). Try lying back and using lots of skin contact;
- what to do if you suspect you have mastitis (great article from The Leaky B@@b)
- what to do if you have very large breasts (small breasts can have plenty of gland tissue & produce plenty of milk, too);
- pressures to supplement/ wean your child - either because of low blood sugar, slow weight gain {first, is the chart is right? - download charts here for breastfed baby girls or boys}, or because your child is getting older;
- feeding an adopted baby;
- feeding twins or other multiples (see also great images on Karen Gromada's site.);
- feeding a child born with cleft lip or palette (and a mother's miracle story here)
- feeding a toddler and a child, tandem feeding (or - how to manage life with older children & a new baby);
- feeding through jaundice;
- feeding near-term babies (35-37 weeks);
- feeding premature babies;
- what to do if you or your baby become ill.
Dr Jen has produced a marvellous chart for you to fill in on around day 4/5/6 (opens as a word document). If you are ticking any boxes in the right hand column, you should ask for assistance. Nice and simple!
Time Passes
Some people worry (right from the beginning) about when & how to stop breastfeeding. Try and enjoy the time you have! Remind yourself that breastfeeding is the normal way to feed children, and that children over 6 months old still gain a huge amount from Breastfeeding. La Leche League encourages mothers to wean gradually, and with love.
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The latest (2005) research into these figures for Great Britain tells us about how British mothers feed their children. To read more on this, view the page "Continuing".
Current guidelines are that children should receive breastmilk and nothing else till they are 6 months old. It is also recommended that they should continue to receive breastmilk until they are at least 2 years old.
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What we as Breastfeeding Peer Supporters wish for you is summed up in the lovely words of Dianne Weissinger.
Our vision is to:
- ensure that your baby is adequately fed
- help you understand the normalcy and critical importance of breastfeeding
- help you feel proud of your breastfeeding and mothering experience
Mothering a breastfed baby is a learned art. It takes some time and practice. We’re here to help you 'shorten the learning curve' and enjoy breastfeeding your child, as so many mothers have before you.
Read all the posts about "Starting Out with Breastfeeding"
on this blog: click here.
