Breastfeeding during the coronavirus emergency (and how I can support you)
Breastmilk is nothing but normal for human infants. It protects, it nourishes, it informs the baby about its environment. And it changes according to the information coming from that environment.
This is immensely reassuring, and especially important when we know that there are higher rates of illness in general during emergencies.
So by breastfeeding, a mother knows that she is as prepared as possible for stressful circumstances, she is protecting her infant as much as possible against infection, and she’s providing a secure food source for her baby.
The key health messages we’re hearing are to:
- continue to breastfeed throughout any infection of your own or others
- aim to carry on breastfeeding as much as possible
- encourage mothers to breastfeed even more if there’s a small amount happening at present.
Inevitably, questions and uncertainties arise. Most mothers will need support at different points along their breastfeeding journey. This is where experienced and skilled support becomes even more valuable.
I am offering an additional support ‘meeting’ by Skype for a one-to-one call. A lot can be accomplished in a 2-hour session.
I listen to what’s happened with the feeding so far, I build up an in-depth picture of the experiences of both the mother and baby, I watch a feed and ask further questions. Then we would discuss what is causing the challenges and develop a plan for the way forward. This may well include practising positioning and attachment which can be modelled effectively with visual aids, as well as anticipatory guidance on how to modify the plan as time passes and the conditions change.
The Skype session is backed up by text and telephone calls if needed for a further week.
Please see prices for a Skype consultation.
I am also at present able to continue to offer an actual face to face in a mother’s home, practising appropriate hygiene and care during the meeting. See my FAQ for more information.