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
Weaning/stopping breastfeeding
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
After weaning – what next?
Breastfeeding always comes to an end – at some point, every breastfed baby or child stops breastfeeding. This article looks at what happens after your toddler or older child weans,1 how it feels for you and what it might mean for you going forward. Sometimes, because of difficulties, … [Read more...] about After weaning – what next?
Breastfeeding beyond infancy
Breastfeeding may not always be easy at first, but as the months go by many mothers find it is an important and enjoyable part of their relationship with their child, one neither of them is ready to bring to an end quickly. However, society is not always accepting or understanding of mothers nursing … [Read more...] about Breastfeeding beyond infancy
Five ways to help when breastfeeding doesn’t go as expected
Sometimes breastfeeding doesn’t go as hoped for, or as expected. Some of those mothers, with a little support, guidance and practice, quickly move to a place of comfort and enjoyment and they don’t look back as they overcome challenges. But some don’t. Some of them need incredible determination to … [Read more...] about Five ways to help when breastfeeding doesn’t go as expected
Living the unexpected tandem style
If my pre-child self could see me now, she would be surprised. I was keen to breastfeed, but thought 6 months would be about right and after that my baby would eat solids and I could drink wine. As I soon learnt, babies have opinions, and mine decided very early on that breastfeeding was her number … [Read more...] about Living the unexpected tandem style
Baby Self Weans
Breastfeeding ends a lot like it starts With a leaking left boob and an emotional heart Breasts so engorged, they’re sore and they drip So big it feels like your top could just rip. But now there’s no need to store your milk Instead you watch, as it swirls like silk In the bath that you sit in … [Read more...] about Baby Self Weans
When You Don’t Enjoy Breastfeeding
After the work of getting things going, you may feel that breastfeeding should become easy and enjoyable. People talk about the amazing bond that comes with breastfeeding, or that wonderful oxytocin rush. There seems to be an increase in both classical art and stock photographs (no doubt very … [Read more...] about When You Don’t Enjoy Breastfeeding
Pregnant and Breastfeeding
If you’re expecting a baby and are continuing to breastfeed your older child, many questions may be going through your mind. Mothers can breastfeed while pregnant; some go on to nurse both their new baby and their older child after the birth. This is known as ‘tandem nursing’. Breastfeeding … [Read more...] about Pregnant and Breastfeeding
Have I mollycoddled my son for too long?
My son - who is my second child - recently turned two, and just seems to cry really easily. I try to be patient and give him 'loving guidance' but it seems that as soon as anything happens that he doesn't like, he just bursts into tears. I'm afraid I'm getting a bit sick of this, and I don’t … [Read more...] about Have I mollycoddled my son for too long?