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
Stories and Conversations
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
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: A Father’s Reflections
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: A Father’s Reflections
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