Golden Rules of BreastFeeding
I am delighted to introduce you to the pleasures and perils (yes there are some) of breastfeeding your baby.Most of us know that breastfeeding is good for mother and baby but this alone will not guarantee success. Like any new skill it takes time to master. These skills need to be re-learnt and passed on to new mums, especially in the early weeks.
I answer parents' questions on breastfeeding and the biggest problems by far are lack of support, conflicting advice, poor information and negative attitudes.
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The secret to success is constant support, encouragement, honesty and practical tips.
I want women to breastfeed because they 'want' to and not because they feel 'forced' to.
Just follow my golden rules ...
• Get help with positioning from the start
• You should not be in pain - if you are get help!
• For breastfeeding to work it must be baby-led.
• The delicate balance of supply and demand is easy to upset so do not be tempted to introduce bottles or express milk until breastfeeding is established (6-8 weeks).
• Periods of skin-to-skin contact will greatly help so try not to be separated from your baby
• Skin-to-skin contact should also be encouraged for fathers and will help to promote a close bond
• Having your baby next to you will stimulate you to produce hormones even when your baby is not sucking
• 12-18 feeds a day is not unusual in the early weeks - you cannot over feed a breastfed baby!
• Breastfeeding will help you to lose the extra weight your body has gained during pregnancy
• Growth charts used in the UK are based on bottle fed babies so weight gain may appear to be slow
• Join a breastfeeding peer support group where you can swap stories and help each other
• Above all enjoy it - with each feed you get a rush of endorphins that is basically a 'happy hormone '. This makes you and you baby feel good and is the best stress-buster I know!
© Sharon Trotter
If you need help with positioning or if you are having any other problems you should speak to...
Your midwife
Your GP
Your health visitor
The postnatal ward of your local hospital
A breastfeeding counsellor (the NCT, Breastfeeding Network, and La Leche League have local contacts)
A local breastfeeding support group
Also Books We Recommend
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