Breastfeeding tips and advice covering a variety of common (and less common!) issues, plus lots of tips and advice.
Breastfeeding Tips and Advice
While no longer personally relevant to me, this section of my blog will always hold a very special place in my heart. I hope that the breastfeeding challenges I faced can become of value to other new mothers, and that’s why I’ve documented my journey with each of my girls.
No matter how difficult I found nursing at times, I will never regret my decision to continue for as long as I did, no matter the personal cost.
There are so many breastfeeding benefits, for both mother and baby, and these are not limited to the obvious ones associated with nutrition.
Advantages of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding your baby also:
- Is cheap;
- Is convenient;
- Provides many health benefits to baby;
- Reduces the risk of SIDS;
- Decreases your risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, obesity and certain cancers;
- Encourages bonding with your baby;
- Reduces risk of PND.
And that list is not exhaustive! For example, though this may not be important to every woman (and can be problematic for those wishing to extend their family) – I saw it as a huge advantage that I experienced breastfeeding-induced amenorrhea!
Tips For Breastfeeding Health Problems For Baby and You
Breastfeeding tips and advice, plus lots of resources, covering common and not so common nursing challenges, including:
- Dehydration
- Pain
- Latch
- Blocked ducts
- Allergies (for baby and mum!)
- Probiotics
- Sleep issues
- Aversion
- Weaning
How to Detect Dehydration in Newborns
Newborn dehydration is a rare but serious complication that can develop after birth.
Following our preemie being admitted to hospital within three hours of initial discharge, here I share our experience to hopefully correct some misconceptions.
How to Breastfeed: Busting Breastfeeding Myths
The myths surrounding breastfeeding are one of my greatest sources of frustration because they can often be blamed for women stopping nursing before they’d ideally choose to. And there are so many!
My impression is that these are often perpetuated by older generations of well-meaning relatives, perhaps before adequate guidance was available.
But it’s so prevalent and can be so harmful; I’ve attempted to dispel some of the most common myths in my post about how breastfeeding works.
The Nipple Flipple Technique - How to Get a Better Breastfeeding Latch
If you and your baby struggle to achieve a deep latch, it can lead to pain and nipple trauma, as well as the possibility of inefficient milk transfer.
The nipple flipple (also known as the exaggerated latch or deep latch technique) can help with this.
Milk Allergy Symptoms in Babies & How to Get a Diagnosis
Milk allergy symptoms in babies, and everything you need to know about caring for a baby with a dairy allergy.
How to Manage Colic Symptoms in Breastfed Babies
Our experience with colic (oh lord), and what you can expect if your baby is displaying symptoms.
How to Deal With a Blocked Milk Duct, Mastitis, or Breast Abscess
Everything you need to know about diagnosing and treating blocked milk ducts, mastitis, and breast abscesses.
Why Breastfeeding Sometimes Hurts Even With a Good Latch + How to Fix It
With my second baby I was so sure breastfeeding would be a breeze - I'd done it before and was very confident. Sadly it didn't work out that way and it took a lot of perseverance to continue.
Here I share why breastfeeding sometimes hurts, even with a good latch: from the common to the more unusual - the many reasons you may experience breast pain when nursing.
Free Breastfeeding and Alcohol Calculator, Plus Everything You Need to Know
A free breastfeeding and alcohol calculator to help you safely enjoy a glass of wine, even if you're nursing - yes, it's allowed!
I was supremely exasperated by the lack of accurate information available regarding breastfeeding and alcohol - specifically how much is safe.
I decided to research the crap out of it until I was satisfied with what I’d learned, and then I wrote about the truth of breastfeeding and alcohol.
I hope my findings - one of my most popular posts to date - is a reliable resource for those wishing to continue living their lives within acceptable boundaries and without detriment to their infants.
The post also includes a free alcohol breastfeeding calculator to do the maths for you.
How to Introduce Bottles Without Jeopardising Breastfeeding
A guest post from a qualified IBCLC discussing the correct way to introduce bottles to a breastfed baby using the paced feeding technique, and without jeopardising nursing.
Breastfeeding Support
Despite the challenges they represent, there’s a positive byproduct to these breastfeeding obstacles:
Fantastic communities of like-minded parents are forged, and they’re only too willing to support and encourage each other to overcome their respective issues.
Continuing that theme, here are some more posts sharing lots of tips around breastfeeding support.
Breastfeeding Support and Advice
Breastfeeding support for nursing mums, to help increase confidence and improve outcomes.
Tips to help you emotionally prepare for breastfeeding, here's the rollercoaster you can expect to encounter!
In an ideal world, every woman would breastfeed proudly, with no self-consciousness. I got there in the end, but the reality is that often when you first begin, it's daunting, and you seek privacy.
Here are some tips to help you breastfeed discreetly while you establish nursing and gain confidence.
Essentials for breastfeeding, to make your journey easier.
(Technically you don't need anything in order to nurse your baby, but these items are a godsend if you experience any pain or plan to express.
How long is breast milk good for after thawing and warming?
If you express for your baby then this is really important information to help you maximise the life of your breast milk and keep your little one safe and healthy.
Especially if you’re also an allergy mama!
Find out everything you need to know about breast milk storage.
Hmmm... Here's why this myth needs to be squashed once and for all!
How men can be supportive of breastfeeding mums they see out and about, without making them feel uncomfortable.
While things may be improving, the fact is that unfortunately, many doctors are not up to scratch when it comes to breastfeeding. And especially where allergies are concerned.
It happens to the best of us - at some point you may experience breastfeeding aversion.
Here's what causes nursing aversion, what to expect if it happens to you, and how to handle it.
I’ve even released an ebook to help educate and empower women about how to breastfeed successfully.
Find more support for breastfeeding and CMPA.
I wish it were not the case, but in spite of research and studies pointing towards the very great advantages of improving breastfeeding rates, we continue to deal with lack of education and support around the subject of breastfeeding…
Essays Focusing on Important Breastfeeding Issues
Alongside all the associated benefits, unfortunately there are many breastfeeding issues to navigate which can make nursing more of a challenge.
The breastfeeding dyad is a beautiful relationship; unfortunately there are times when support from others is not quite what you'd hope...
Highlights from the press call I took part in with UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, the First Lady of Nigeria, and the Minister of Health of Indonesia.
The importance of bringing education around nursing into the classroom, to normalise breastfeeding and increase rates.
Why it's time to be candid about the 'Fed is Best' debate.
That time the BBC failed to support breastfeeding, instead favouring sensationalist journaling...
Breastfeeding and Mindfulness
From a personal perspective, though I can’t be absolutely sure that nursing my daughter is to thank, I believe breastfeeding helped my mental health during a very difficult time. Following a traumatic delivery I suffered PNA; but over time I’ve managed to completely change my mindset and have never been more content.
I wonder whether breastfeeding truly contributed to this change in me; either way, I’m so grateful for the life I live today. In fact, this positive attitude is one of the traits I wish to instil in my girls, and is a big part of my life now.
My greatest hope for them is that they will thrive in a happy and relaxed environment, far away from the stress and anxiety I have known in the past.
I hope that any breastfeeding mamas will find a wealth of useful information within these breastfeeding posts.