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Breastfeeding - finding the right support

Breast feeding is known to be better for babies than formula milk. However, breastfeeding is not always as naturally easy as you would imagine.There is a misconception that breatfeeding is uncomfortable, some women have said to me that one needs to get through the pain barrier and then it's okay. Breastfeeding should be totally comfortable and you should not feel anything really. This is how breastfeeding feels for me ... now. Read my breastfeeding story for what I went through to give my baby my baby the best - 'mummy milk' as we call it!

So what can be done to ensure it's comfortable from the start? The right advice and support at the right time can make all the difference, and can give confidence especially when your baby that may not initially get the hang of breast feeding or if baby is born under special circumstances.
Getting breastfeeding right can avoid the problem of a crying hungry baby, and help you with all kinds of baby feeding problems like sore or cracked nipples, blocked ducts, mastitis, tongue tie, wind, colic etc. Dont give up, find the RIGHT support for YOU.

There is much information out there about breastfeeding but in my opinion it's always best to get tailored information specific to you and your baby. I thought I knew a lot about latching having worked alongside lactation consultants, but i wasn't prepared for thrush and tongue tie to be an issue!

Breastfeeding sections of antenatal classes aren't always high quality for example 'tummy to mummy' doesn't help if your baby has oral thrush and find feeding painful for their little mouths. It helps to know WHY your baby is having difficulty. This is where a qualified Lactation Consultant or breastfeeding counsellor is more helpful. Sadly not all midwives have in depth training in breastfeeding and each has their own knowledge on the subject which can be confusing for a new mum and newborn. There are many myths surrounding breastfeeding.

The first taste (excuse the pun) that you may have of breastfeeding is just after birth, it is recommended in order to get off to the best start to breastfeed within the first hour of having your baby

You need to stimulate your milk supply and colostrum production and having a baby feeding at the breast is best.

A baby crying is the last cue for feeding, when their begi stirring form their sleep is the calmest way to get a goo latch, BEOFRe baby is crying hungry!

For threse circumstances ask a BF professional like the ones on this web page or specialists we've recommeded trained by the companies at the bottom of the page to get correct expressing advice or bf advice. Things like buying the the right pump that doesn't sound like a fog horn every 2 second makes a big difference to how much milk your body is prepared to 'let down' to express - believe me I've done it!

Skin to skin is extreemly important for successful breastfeeding. Babies are born with an instinct that means they will 'crawl' to the breast from your tummy and latch themselves on, this is called Biologocal Nurturing. Unfortunately, new mothers are advised to have a wash and most babies born in hospital are dressed shortly after the first feed. Your baby will lose the smell they left on your chest which is familar to them (although it may be nice to smell of your marks and sparks perfumed soap!) so breastfeeding may suffer as a result. Therefore, perhaps washing with water only for the first 6 days or so will encourage familiarity for baby to recognise where to feed. It would also help to enable your baby to latch on successfully if you didn't have your baby dressed, have them wrapped instead and cuddle them skin to skin as much as you can. co-sleeping is most helpful in the early days and babie sunder 5 months don't 'learn' to only sleep with you. Skin-to-skin for each feed at the very least will encourage a good bond and establish a breastfeeding culture for you and your baby..

Give it at least 6 weeks to establish feeding, dont expect be able to discretely feed your baby in public. Louise says "It took me 5 months to be able to feed descretely, I used to have to take everything off my top to see my baby latching on!"

The pain of breastfeeding. The postbirth advice used to be to rub your nipples with a scouring brush to toughen them up for bf! That's no longer the case (thank goodness!) We KNOW that bf SHOULD NOT BE UNCOMFORTABLE AT ALL. If you experience any discomfort you should get your position and latch checked immediatly by a professional (listed below). Sometimes it's a tiny position change that makes the difference. Dont think that you or your baby can't do it. Start off on the right foot and get professional help within the first few days. If you can't leave hospital (or your baby can't) get the professional to come into the hospital to you.

What to expect from a professional BF supporter. Good breastfeeding support person(s)
1) Will generally not touch, massage or interfere with you or your baby during a feed, they are more likely to give you tips and show you on a doll
2) Gives you the information specific to you and your baby
3) Watch a full feed to notice any small problems and help YOU to tweak or change the technique slightly to enable you to breastfeeding happily.

Breastfeeding information, preparation and support before and after your baby's birth: An appropriate breastfeeding support person (such as those listed in the setcion at the bottom of the page) can help you at any stage in your pregnancy, when preparing for birth, when your milk comes in, and as you continue to breastfeed, they also have support when weaning and how ,long to continue feeding.

A breastfeeding/lactation consultant can help you with:

Practical tips
Advice about nutrition
The best products to buy
Support through problems
Weaning onto solid foods and cups from the breast
A lot of them have pumps that you can try without having to buy too.

Some breastfeeding consultants are private (so there is a cost from around £50-£100 for them to visit you) and others may be part of the hospital, attached to a GP surgery or in a bf clinic locally. Breastfeeding consultants are officially known as “lactation consultants” and are qualified through the International Board of Lactation and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. There are breast feeding drop in clinics available in your local area too.

Telling it How it is. Written by Louise Prince, the maternity network

This article is my opinion only.

CranioSacral Therapy for babies. For birth trauma