Background As with my first pregnancy, we had a private scan at 30 weeks with the second,as we wanted to ensure all was going well for our baby inside. The sonographer did all the measurements but kept remeasuring the baby's femur. It turned out that it was shorter than it should have been for the … [Read more...] about Feeding Gwilym
Breastfeeding with a nursing supplementer
My son was born two and a half weeks early in a birth pool at home. Although the birth went well and he latched on straight away, he seemed too sleepy to feed. As he still hadn’t fed six hours after birth, the midwife said we would need to give him formula, which went against everything I had read, … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding with a nursing supplementer
Body Image
This morning I attended a meeting of my local LLL group on the subject of breastfeeding and body image. At first I thought it wasn't something I had thought much about until recently, but I soon realised it really wasn't the case. Although I am now completely confident breastfeeding my youngest … [Read more...] about Body Image
Breastfeeding a baby with cleft lip and palate
When we found out that Isla would be born with a cleft lip and possibly palate, one of the first things we were told was that she would not be able to breastfeed. Breastfeeding my eldest daughter, Isabelle, two years before had not been straightforward – she had a posterior tongue tie and lost 16% … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding a baby with cleft lip and palate
Single mum and breastfeeding
When I had my second baby, I knew I was doing it alone. Having successfully breastfed my first child through a crumbling relationship, I thought that doing it again would be a breeze. I hadn’t realised how hard it could be. Breastfeeding my daughter had many challenges. Finding my feet as a mother … [Read more...] about Single mum and breastfeeding
Recreating the ‘lying-in’ month
I took a fascinating class at university called 'Childbirth in 17th Century England', which looked at the history of childbirth and the transition from traditional women-led births to a medicalised and male-led birth process. Apparently, a midwife was called, husbands weren't allowed in the room, … [Read more...] about Recreating the ‘lying-in’ month
Breastfeeding and Postnatal Depression
What is Postnatal Depression? Postnatal depression, or PND, is a depression that starts within the first 12 months after giving birth. In the UK it is estimated that 1 in 10 women suffers from PND at some point during the first 12 months of their baby’s life (1). The symptoms of PND include low … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding and Postnatal Depression
Breastfeeding and the fight against obesity
A new report was published by Public Health England (PHE) on 17 July 2018. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) stated the need for a child to have the best start in life to avoid the over-eating which is leading to an epidemic of obesity in our society.[1] This report, which … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding and the fight against obesity
Supporting World Breastfeeding Week
La Leche League GB is pleased to join other organisations and breastfeeding supporters drawing attention to the importance of breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week 2018. The theme this year is “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life” and the aim is to raise awareness of how important … [Read more...] about Supporting World Breastfeeding Week
Response to new report claiming that babies given solid food sleep better
A new study published in Jama Pediatrics[i] claims that babies given solid food in addition to breastmilk from three months of age sleep better than those who are solely breastfed. Mothers filled in monthly online questionnaires between three and 12 months, and then reported quarterly until their … [Read more...] about Response to new report claiming that babies given solid food sleep better