Breastfeeding Matters?
So, you’re having a baby! You’ve researched your delivery options, aware of the choices of pain relief, planned the nursery colours, types of nappies and have a short list of baby names according to sex, family tradition and personal choice. But what about feeding the baby?
Have you considered breastfeeding? Will it be easy? Are you put off by other peoples’ horror stories? Put your feet up and read on……
To decide to breastfeed your baby is one part of your commitment to being a parent. Breast milk offers your baby the best start in its transition into life outside the womb. The immunological and nutritional properties of breast milk means that your child is likely to suffer less infections, hospital admissions and weight related health issues throughout its life. Maternal benefits to breastfeeding include reduced ovarian cancers and osteoporosis. The longer you breastfeed the greater the benefit... we all know this though, don’t we?... so why doesn’t everyone try breastfeeding?
It’s a bit of a cultural thing!
Observing an activity within the context of the family is one of the ways we model our own behavior and particularly our parenting skills when we have our own children. The development of smaller and more mobile families has contributed to fewer children being able to witness breastfeeding as the normal way to feed a baby. In addition, today’s parents, born in the 1970s,80s and 90s, may not have been breastfed, so we are recovering from a generation where some breastfeeding skills and knowledge have been lost.
Although breastfeeding rates are increasing, it seems to me that we are still a culture where formula feeding is the “norm”. You only need to look at the multitude of bottles, milks and accessories to witness the commercial market. Easily accessible formula and equipment has permitted us to lose sight of the fact that breast milk is a live and dynamic fluid, of which the constituents alter during each feed throughout the day and duration of the following weeks and months.
Let us get it into perspective.
There are many ladies that due, to their own experiences, are real advocates of breastfeeding. There are many ladies that do not wish to breastfeed and that decision is respected. However, there are also many women, who are struggling with their breastfeeding. Research shows that 90% of the ladies that give up breastfeeding in the first six weeks would have liked to continue. It is these people that we need to support so that whatever the outcome of their feeding, they can look back on their experience with a positive view.
So what can you do?- Antenatal help is available.
Finding out more about breastfeeding during the antenatal period is a valuable exercise. Researching on the net, reading and watching DVDs is a good way reinforcing the theoretical background, friends and relatives also offer a sound resource. It is also worth finding out about antenatal classes and breastfeeding groups in your area. Many Primary Care Trusts run classes specifically focused on breastfeeding and visiting a BF group(whilst it may seem voyeuristic) is a good way of being with like minded women, learning from their current experiences and finding out where the group is before you need it. Such groups are facilitated by a Health Professional who can offer breastfeeding tips.
Another option is to attend classes or arrange a home visit on a private basis. The National Childbirth Trust and La Leche League provide regular classes for the antenatal couple and excellent postnatal support. If you wished to receive individual support in the comfort of your own home, a private Lactation Consultant may be for you. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant will have achieved an extensive theoretical and practical portfolio before passing the International examination, which is recertified every five years.
Finally, to hep prepare for breastfeeding, talk to the people who are important to you and are going to be available after the birth. Discuss all possible options of support to make the first few days as relaxed as possible for you and your baby. Add any thoughts or requests to your Birth Plan so that everyone is aware of your wishes.
Postnatal – the first few days.
A lot is happening in the first postnatal days. Your body is recovering from the delivery and is coping with a change in hormone levels. Your breasts are getting used to their new function and you are getting to know your baby!
email Breastfeeding Matters: for more information
or: visit their website
So, you’re having a baby! You’ve researched your delivery options, aware of the choices of pain relief, planned the nursery colours, types of nappies and have a short list of baby names according to sex, family tradition and personal choice. But what about feeding the baby?
Have you considered breastfeeding? Will it be easy? Are you put off by other peoples’ horror stories? Put your feet up and read on……
To decide to breastfeed your baby is one part of your commitment to being a parent. Breast milk offers your baby the best start in its transition into life outside the womb. The immunological and nutritional properties of breast milk means that your child is likely to suffer less infections, hospital admissions and weight related health issues throughout its life. Maternal benefits to breastfeeding include reduced ovarian cancers and osteoporosis. The longer you breastfeed the greater the benefit... we all know this though, don’t we?... so why doesn’t everyone try breastfeeding?
It’s a bit of a cultural thing!
Observing an activity within the context of the family is one of the ways we model our own behavior and particularly our parenting skills when we have our own children. The development of smaller and more mobile families has contributed to fewer children being able to witness breastfeeding as the normal way to feed a baby. In addition, today’s parents, born in the 1970s,80s and 90s, may not have been breastfed, so we are recovering from a generation where some breastfeeding skills and knowledge have been lost.
Although breastfeeding rates are increasing, it seems to me that we are still a culture where formula feeding is the “norm”. You only need to look at the multitude of bottles, milks and accessories to witness the commercial market. Easily accessible formula and equipment has permitted us to lose sight of the fact that breast milk is a live and dynamic fluid, of which the constituents alter during each feed throughout the day and duration of the following weeks and months.
Let us get it into perspective.
There are many ladies that due, to their own experiences, are real advocates of breastfeeding. There are many ladies that do not wish to breastfeed and that decision is respected. However, there are also many women, who are struggling with their breastfeeding. Research shows that 90% of the ladies that give up breastfeeding in the first six weeks would have liked to continue. It is these people that we need to support so that whatever the outcome of their feeding, they can look back on their experience with a positive view.
So what can you do?- Antenatal help is available.
Finding out more about breastfeeding during the antenatal period is a valuable exercise. Researching on the net, reading and watching DVDs is a good way reinforcing the theoretical background, friends and relatives also offer a sound resource. It is also worth finding out about antenatal classes and breastfeeding groups in your area. Many Primary Care Trusts run classes specifically focused on breastfeeding and visiting a BF group(whilst it may seem voyeuristic) is a good way of being with like minded women, learning from their current experiences and finding out where the group is before you need it. Such groups are facilitated by a Health Professional who can offer breastfeeding tips.
Another option is to attend classes or arrange a home visit on a private basis. The National Childbirth Trust and La Leche League provide regular classes for the antenatal couple and excellent postnatal support. If you wished to receive individual support in the comfort of your own home, a private Lactation Consultant may be for you. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant will have achieved an extensive theoretical and practical portfolio before passing the International examination, which is recertified every five years.
Finally, to hep prepare for breastfeeding, talk to the people who are important to you and are going to be available after the birth. Discuss all possible options of support to make the first few days as relaxed as possible for you and your baby. Add any thoughts or requests to your Birth Plan so that everyone is aware of your wishes.
Postnatal – the first few days.
A lot is happening in the first postnatal days. Your body is recovering from the delivery and is coping with a change in hormone levels. Your breasts are getting used to their new function and you are getting to know your baby!
email Breastfeeding Matters: for more information
or: visit their website
