Monday, March 28, 2011

Five top tips for successful breastfeeding

I have to admit to being a little bit militant in my pro-breastfeeding stance.  I breastfed both of our boys, Moonchild the Elder self weaned at about 15 months, by giving me the "what on earth are you doing mother?" look and his younger brother is still going strong at 16 months.

While I was pregnant with Moonchild the Elder, I always hoped I was going to breastfeed our baby, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world.  I did the NHS breastfeeding course and our NCT antenatal course also covered it, completely with little dolls to show positioning and attachment.  It all looked so easy, we had the right information and we were prepared.  Weren't we?

The one thing I wasn't prepared for, is quite how hard it can be. 

After a difficult labour, both Moonchild and I were both tired and I have to say our first attempts were truely awful.  If it hadn't been for a volunteer breastfeeding helper appearing on the ward one evening, I suspect that our foray into the mystical world of breastfeeding would have been short and painful.  Finally I was talking to someone who really knew what she was talking about, whose method for successful attachment didn't include grabbing my boob and shoving it in my baby's mouth.  I am ever grateful for her advice and every single day of successful breastfeeding since then, I can put down to her.

I have done a breastfeeding helpers course myself, to give a little something back as it were.  I could go through a step-by-step guide but there are people better placed than me to do this.  So these tips come from my own personal experience and should not take the place of any professional advice you may need.  So here goes:

1) Always make sure you are sitting upright, comfortably and have everything you need to hand.  You don't want to get cramp and there's nothing worse than realising half way through a feed that the TV remote is just out of reach!

2) Make sure you drink a lot.  You can get very dehydrated very quickly while breastfeeding and believe me, you wouldn't believe how rough that can make you feel.

3) Always make sure your baby is correctly positioned and attached.  Breastfeeding should NOT hurt, if it does - take the baby off and try again.  I know how easy it can be to just "let it go this time" when you're tired or you're out and you don't want to have to take your baby off again.  But believe me, you will regret it, cracked nipples are a terrible price to pay.  Every feed should be a painfree feed, if there is pain, it's a sign something isn't right.

4) Don't think you are alone, there is help out there if you need it.  You just need to know where to look.  Volunteer breastfeeding helpers can normally be found some days at local childrens centres and breastfeeding cafes.  Contact the BfN Supporter line for immediate advice and support and the BfN website has the details of local groups across the country.  The La Leche League and the NCT also provide breastfeeding support and advice.  They are all a valuable resource and can really help.

5) When it comes to stopping breastfeeding, whatever your reasons, whenever you choose to do it.  It is your decision and your decison alone.  Don't be bullied, or made to feel guilty because you want to stop at 6 weeks or are still feeding your toddler.

And finally - make sure you wear a nursing bra that fits correctly - preferably a sexy one too.  You are not a dairy cow - you are one sexy mother and the whole world should know it! 

But before you go - have you seen the Hotmilk fitting guide?  He can come up and measure me anytime!

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