Whilst sorting through my paperwork to decide what to recycle, I came across an article I’d written 20 years ago for the LLLGB magazine. It was about breastfeeding my then four-and-a-half-month-old son, Murray. Rereading the article prompted me to reflect on how our breastfeeding relationship … [Read more...] about Bringing Up a Breastfed Baby – Twenty Years On
Sleep
Breastfeeding at night
Breastfeeding at night is one of the most discussed topics at La Leche League meetings, both in person and online. This is often because breastfeeding at night, especially in the early days, can be so important to establishing a successful breastfeeding relationship. It is also because of its … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding at night
What happens at four months?
After the first three months, many mothers start to settle into a bit of a rhythm with their baby and begin to feel like life has become a bit more predictable. Then around four months (or anywhere between three and six months), babies seem to change all over again, sometimes becoming more fussy, … [Read more...] about What happens at four months?
“Fussy evenings” with a newborn
My baby feeds all evening, and my breasts feel empty – have I run out of milk? Every time I try to put my baby down to sleep, they cry! What am I doing wrong? Why does my baby cry at the breast sometimes, even though they still seem hungry? If you’ve ever asked questions like this during the … [Read more...] about “Fussy evenings” with a newborn
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
Making different choices
When I became pregnant with the one I now know to be my son, I had all sorts of ideas and ideals about parenthood and little interest in breastfeeding or responsive parenting. This has changed a lot over the last two years: who would have thought that a simple thing like mother’s milk could cause … [Read more...] about Making different choices
Dear Mama
Dear Mama, I’m coming soon, to be with you, and there are some things I wish you knew, about feeding me, and how we can be together. I come hard-wired to feed, and usually, you won’t need to do very much but follow my cues, you’ll need to learn those, watch and see my rose-budded lips … [Read more...] about Dear Mama
Supporting families with sleep
Many families feel uneasy about sharing aspects of their parenting style with their Healthcare Professional, including their sleep arrangements. Others end up bed-sharing in a situation where it was unplanned but is the only response they can think of to soothe an upset baby and an exhausted … [Read more...] about Supporting families with sleep
Letting Babies Cry – The Facts Behind the Studies
One of the biggest adjustments a new mother may have to make is to realise that babies can need their mothers twenty-four hours a day. From the moment a woman gives birth she can find herself bombarded with a vast array of ideas and suggestions, and this can lead to confusion on what she might … [Read more...] about Letting Babies Cry – The Facts Behind the Studies
I Need Some Sleep!
“I need some sleep! I'm at the end of my tether now my son is 10 months old. I thought his sleep had started to improve a little (he was ‘only’ waking once or twice a night) but in the past few weeks he's gone back to being up every hour, and always needing to nurse to settle. I'm just exhausted, … [Read more...] about I Need Some Sleep!