At a time when our highly dedicated Midwives are more stretched than ever, what do new breastfeeding mothers need to be particularly aware of when they leave hospital? These lockdown circumstances are not what any new parents would have anticipated as they transitioned into family life and there will be different challenges associated with it….
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…
The vast majority of new mothers can trust their bodies to make breastmilk – it’s automatic and to be expected. Yet in different cultures around the world, there’s an understanding that this normal milk-making process can be enhanced by what a mother eats and drinks. Nevertheless, before we go any further, let’s be clear: it’s…
What do you like to eat when you’re breastfeeding? What do you look forward to in the midst of your busy day mothering? The answer is likely to be comforting foods: sweet, filling, often soft and easy to eat, foods which aren’t cool or cold (but not necessarily hot). They can be so relaxing! In…
We all love and need to eat! It makes us feel good and gives us the energy to do things in life. Human babies are no different in this need. They want to eat when fuel is needed and then feel content. Where they do differ from adults though is in their ability to get…
Sore nipples, mis-shapen nipples, unsettled babies, babies wanting to feed very frequently but for short periods, babies slipping around on the breast, babies with sticky eyes and furrowed brows, babies holding an arm across their chests (and making attachment harder), one-sided feeding, babies who resist tipping their heads back, babies who won’t attach at all…
Sleep is satisfying, sleep restores, sleep is sweet. Sleep is also variable – broken sometimes, deep at others. Parents often crave it, feeling desperate without it. Our culture places great emphasis on a good night’s sleep. La Leche League’s book ‘Sweet Sleep’ refreshes our thinking on the topic of sleep and babies. The eye-opening principle…
It’s said that the act of breastfeeding passes not only nutrition and protection to a baby, but also information about her or his new world. It’s important that parents are aware of the messages they’re sending their babies however they feed them. Recent posts on sites I visit have brought attention to the science of…
There are many ‘Oh, really?!’ moments when finding out about the hormone oxytocin. Its effects in our relationships are truly awe-inspiring. It creates bonds, it stimulates social interactions, it reduces stress and it promotes healing processes. Let’s start with the familiar. Breastfeeding mums know about it as the hormone that delivers milk to the baby…
Talk of formula in breastfeeding circles can seem shocking and be risky (like formula itself). Let’s take that as a starting point: the risks of formula, the ‘foe’. The name sounds scientific and possibly trustworthy – yet it’s a non-sterile mixture, its components can change according to what’s available and cost-effective at the time of…