Baby Y did not latch on and feed from the breast until he was four months old. He only ever drank from one breast, and ended up being mixed fed. But this is the story of how I successfully breastfed him until he was nearly three years old. Y was my third child. I had desperately wanted to … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding at last!
Expressing
Russell’s Breastfeeding Journey
Russ’s antenatal diagnosis It had been a difficult six weeks. My father-in-law was in intensive care. There hadn’t been space to feel excited about being pregnant and we were emotionally drained. I thought we'd had the all clear at our 20 week scan when the sonographer told us we were having a … [Read more...] about Russell’s Breastfeeding Journey
Breastfeeding a Baby with a Cleft Palate
When my second son Oskar was born, I had been thinking that after difficulties establishing breastfeeding with my firstborn, it would be an easier journey this time. After a beautiful and quick birth, Oskar went straight for the breast but didn’t open his mouth well and couldn’t stay latched. My … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding a Baby with a Cleft Palate
How milk production works
Mothers have successfully fed their children for thousands of years of human history without understanding how it works. It’s a bit like driving a car – as long as it’s working well, you don’t need to know what is going on under the bonnet! If you are having breastfeeding problems, such as low … [Read more...] about How milk production works
How to increase your milk supply
Is your milk supply really low? New mothers who are learning to breastfeed often worry that they might not be making enough milk for their baby. Their breasts might stop feeling full and their baby might sometimes be unsettled, or not want to be put down between feeds. (You can read more about … [Read more...] about How to increase your milk supply
Pumping and Me
Pumping and Me It’s gone eleven o’clock at night and I am trying to settle my five-month-old daughter who has woken up and is in need of a feed. This is in itself not unusual for a newborn and a first-time mum, however what makes it harder is that I am also attached to my breast pump so that I am … [Read more...] about Pumping and Me
Exclusively Expressing Breastmilk for Your Baby
When babies cannot feed at the breast comfortably and effectively, and breastfeeding support is hard to find or not able to help, mothers may choose to use a breast pump to express all the milk their baby needs, and then feed via a bottle or feeding tube. This is known as exclusive pumping. While … [Read more...] about Exclusively Expressing Breastmilk for Your Baby
Getting breastfeeding on track after a difficult start – the “3 Keeps”
When you have early breastfeeding problems, it can feel as if it’s “all gone wrong” and the dreams you had about feeding your baby are in ruins. Fortunately, babies are very adaptable and resilient, and so are their mothers! With time, patience and, if necessary, skilled help, it is almost always … [Read more...] about Getting breastfeeding on track after a difficult start – the “3 Keeps”
Feeding late preterm babies
What is a “late preterm” baby? Late preterm babies are usually defined as those born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation. Because these babies are often well - most don’t need to spend time in Special Care - and because they look like full-term babies (just a bit smaller), it’s often assumed that … [Read more...] about Feeding late preterm babies
Bottles and other tools
Feeding breastmilk other than at the breast When the nursing mother and baby are separated or the baby cannot feed at the breast, they may need another way of taking breastmilk. These tips assume that your baby is being fed expressed breastmilk. If this is not available, please check with your … [Read more...] about Bottles and other tools