Joined: 17 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 3767 Gender: Female
Posted: 30 August 2006 at 10:55pm | IP Logged
Rhona and I began out Community Mothers Training today.
At the end of our course we are going to be trained to help support
mums in hospital and out in the wider community to breastfeed. The
funding for this has come from a need in our area of Scotland for this
support. Midwives are really struggling due to a shortage, and the
breastfeeding rate at 6 weeks is only 25%.
The first night was really interesting. We discussed what we already
knew about feeding and found out how it really benefits mum and
baby.
We also talked about our own personal breastfeeding experiences.
Most women decide whether they are going to try to breastfeed quite
early on in life- even before they meet their partners or contimplate
children! This was true for me. I always knew that breastfeeding
was best for babies and always knew I would try to do it. But, when
I had my wee boy 4 years ago I didn't realise how hard it would be.
I wasn't sure how to latch him on properly, I had little support from
my midwife, and although my mum had breastfed, it was so long ago
her advice ment well but wasn't helpful. Thank goodness for my
friend who had breastfed. She was such a support, fountain of
knowledge and a lifeline! She advised me to go along to my local
breastfeeding support group.
The group helped me to understand why my baby seemed to be
feeding all the time, and the health visitors there showed me how to
latch my baby on properly. Instead of sooking my nipples the baby
should take the lots of the pink bit around the nipple into it's mouth.
They showed me how to aim my nipple to the nose of the baby so
that it's mouth opened wide.
I found out that I'd know if the baby was taking a proper full feed by
noticing how the baby sucks. At first the baby will suck quickly to get
the milk flowing and then that'll be followed by longer sucks. If you
listen closely at this bit you can actually hear the milk going down!
At the end of the feed the baby will return to small "butterfly" fluttery
sooks.
I didn't realise that milk changes every few weeks at first to suit the
needs of baby! When the baby is in the womb it is getting all the
nutrients it needs to develop- and a mum's body helps maintain the
nutrients and immunity requirements of the baby in the big bad world
through breastfeeding.
If it wasn't for the support and education I recieved through the
group and my friend I wouldn't have maintained my breastfeeding.
They encouraged and were a shoulder to cry on- even through
mastitis attacks, cracked nippled and exhausting growth spurt days
when the baby seemed to be constantly feeding. And I got through it
to the point where feeding was so convienient! No bottles to wash
and steralise (unless, of course I was going on a wee night out or
day trip!) During the night when my baby woke up distressed from
teething or a wee bad dream I could cuddle baby close and comfort
with some milk without the trailing downstairs to warm a bottle. Also
lovely hormones are released that help mum drift back to sleep with
ease!
it's good to know that I have reduced my baby's risk of ear
infections, asthma, eczema, gastric problems, obesety and diabetes.
And that's why I have sighed up to be a community mum. I know
how hard it can be to maintain breastfeeding, how much
misinformation is out there and how much support and the right
advice and education can help.
Joined: 07 June 2006 United Kingdom Posts: 4141 Gender: Female
Posted: 30 August 2006 at 11:29pm | IP Logged
Good for you, I know round here they could use that sort of support. Lots of ewww thats horrible type attitudes, which has put a lot of the younger wives off breastfeeding which is a shame for them bowing down to pressure from others. My attitude was always have boobs...will travel. I always wanted to try to do it, but wouldnt be gutted if I couldnt. Luckily for me Natasja decided for me, I was just giving her a cuddle when she was about 20 minutes old, and whoomph that'll do me mum ta very much. A case of, oh right, oh erm ok, well you know what your doing. Isla took a bit of encouraging but soon had it sussed. Hope you enjoy your training
Joined: 13 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 8605 Gender: Female
Posted: 31 August 2006 at 8:47am | IP Logged
Wow Lynie that sounds fab. I have actually contacted some local groups about doing this myself once I am feeling a little better.
I was always going to breastfeed. My mum breastfed me until I was 10.5 months and only stopped becuase I walked over to her mouth open and arms out and she decided I was old enough.
I was VERY lucky. Edward taught me everything I needed to know about breastfeeding. I never had mastitis and although I did have some difficult times, feeding my son was the most amazing experience of my life! I was unable to have the natural birth I longed for, but being able to breastfeed my son for the first 11 months of him life, only stopping because he self weaned, was wonderful.
I too am very proud of the fantastic start I have given my son. I know I have also done myself lots of good and cut my risk of breast cancer which is great as we have family history.
I'm not sure what I'd do if I had a second and couldnt bf. I loved being able to go anywhere and everywhere at a moments notice and could stay later than planned somewhere without having to worry about extra feeds.
So good luck Lynie and Rhona. I applaud what you are doing!
Joined: 12 June 2005 Germany Posts: 801 Gender: Female
Posted: 31 August 2006 at 11:01am | IP Logged
Lynie that's brilliant.
I must admit I was so lucky with Cerys as well. The Midwife described her as 'text book' I had no problems latching her on at all and it seemed so easy. The only problem I did have was I had to top her up with a bottle because she didn't get enough from me despite feeding constantly but it took 3 days and about 3 or 4 midwifes to finally get her to take a bottle. I had no chance because all she could smell on me was the milk that I was producing LOL.
I only fed her for the first 3 months but I am quite a private person and couldn't feed her in public. I had to do it one day but despite her crying I found myself trying to make excuses like she is so tired etc before I finally had to admit that she needed feeding but I was nearly in tears having to do it in a public place really wan't comfortable with it. Other than that when it was just in the privacy of my own home and just Me and Cerys (and of course DH being around wasn't a problem) it was the most amazing experience ever.
Hopefully with this one I'll be able to feed for a bit longer as will hopefully be a bit better prepared now I have more knowledge about it, if that makes sense.
Joined: 05 July 2006 United Kingdom Posts: 2329 Gender: Female
Posted: 31 August 2006 at 11:18am | IP Logged
Well done to you both for taking the time and effort to help other new mum's out in probably the most important start you could possibly give your newborn babys!! It does seem that this is a reoccuring problem all over the country, with not enough people knowing exactly how to breastfeed properly or feeling uncomfortable doing it, so im sure you will be doing a great job to change all of that!
With my 2 older children, i didnt breastfeed them as there really wasnt that much advice offered by the midwifes in hospital to start with, so whilst in hospital i was just given a bottle for them and pretty much left to get on with it.
With my younger 2 though, id already learnt a lot more about breastfeeding from friends....and different midwifes this time, so i was well prepared and knew i was going to give it a good old bash!
I think personally, the midwifes in the hospital should give you more help and reasurance than they actually do. I know they are really busy delivering the babies, but as they are the first proffesionals you meet with your new baby here, there should be somebody there just for the breastfeeding side of anti natal too!
Well done again with what your doing and lets hope you can really make a difference. x-x-x
Joined: 11 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 8627 Gender: Female
Posted: 31 August 2006 at 11:47am | IP Logged
Lynie that is excellent. I'm sure if I had, had a better support system up here, I would have breast fed Winston alot longer. However I am not into beating myself up about it, I gave him a good start, and am now relieved that I can drop him off with mom if I need to.
Joined: 22 August 2006 Bulgaria Posts: 9 Gender: Female
Posted: 03 September 2006 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
This looks great. I agree bf mums need more support, the number of times I rang for help while in hospital and the staff rushed in slapped baby on and rushed out again without actually teacvhing me anything were too many to remember, luckily I got the hang on it but only because I was determined to bf! Well done
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Topic: I’ve begun my breastfeeding training!
