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 Matters
Breastfeeding Matters is the LLLGB members' newsletter, with news and views from LLLGB and inspiring stories from our members.
You can support the work of of LLLGB by becoming a member, and receive six copies of Breastfeeding Matters a year. Here are a selection of articles from the newsletter.
The Goodness Goes On
“Are you still feeding?” “When are you going to stop?” I was asked these questions when my first son was very small, only months old. I knew of LLL long before I had my baby because my friend was a Leader. I saw her deftly dealing with bundles of leaflets and information sheets, wielding massive … [Read more...] about The Goodness Goes On
A week of nursing strike
Just after my son turned one, I returned to work and he started going to nursery. He picked up hand, foot and mouth disease during his first few weeks there, and so began his first nursing strike. He became dehydrated, as he was barely having any fluids, and after six days the doctor sent us to the … [Read more...] about A week of nursing strike
Something Cosmological
About three months after the arrival of our second son, I looked at my wife tandem feeding our two boys and had somewhat of a revelation. That moment profoundly changed the way I look at breastfeeding and, more generally, the world. Let me rewind a bit... Breastfeeding was always the goal when we … [Read more...] about Something Cosmological
Mothers on… nursing with large breasts
We asked mothers across the country to share their experiences of breastfeeding with large breasts. Nicols: I used to have to lift/prop my breast with a rolled up flannel when sitting up, but feeding lying down was easier until my baby could cope with the weight of my breast. Zena: I have to … [Read more...] about Mothers on… nursing with large breasts
Mothers on… easy to grab snacks while breastfeeding
We asked mothers on our LLLGB because Breastfeeding Matters Facebook Page to share their favourite snacks to be grabbed easily while nursing. Joanne: Carrot sticks and hummus, flapjacks and fruit. Dashana: Banana, granola bars and trail mix. Sarah: Anything I could reach, to be … [Read more...] about Mothers on… easy to grab snacks while breastfeeding
What do you say when people ask why you breastfeed?
“I just don't know what to say to my friends. They can see me struggling with breastfeeding, and they can't understand why I don't just formula feed like they are. They're all going to the cinema next week without their babies, and there's no way I can go with them because I can't be away from my … [Read more...] about What do you say when people ask why you breastfeed?
Twelve Months of Mothering – A Good Night of Sleep
Children’s sleep is a much discussed topic in parenting communities, in the media, on social networks and in families. Often, when a new baby is expected, well-meaning souls warn of the sleep deprivation to come and the challenges of getting enough rest. Before I was a mother I too thought of the … [Read more...] about Twelve Months of Mothering – A Good Night of Sleep
Mothers on… What do you like most about breastfeeding?
We asked mothers across the country to share what they enjoy most about nursing their babies. Susan: “The cheeky grin she gives me when she pulls off mid feed. It is a grin she only does when feeding, so I am privileged to be the only one who sees it.” Sarah: “I love how breastfeeding is … [Read more...] about Mothers on… What do you like most about breastfeeding?
Twelve Months of Mothering: Carrying the Load
Recently, comic artist Emma took the internet by storm with her comic strip illustrations of the mental load carried by women. I looked at her work knowingly, nodding, feeling empathy for so many women in similar positions to me, who have to know and remember everything. This is the part of being … [Read more...] about Twelve Months of Mothering: Carrying the Load