Whether or not to breastfeed your baby is a personal decision that is unique to every mum and baby pair.
There can be lots of health and emotional advantages to breastfeeding for both mum and baby. Information about these is widely available – there is a good summary on the NHS website.
It is a common misconception that breastfeeding is pretty instinctive. In actual fact, new mums often need help and support in order to breastfeed successfully – breastfeeding is a skill that both you and your baby need to learn and practice.
Helplines
National Breastfeeding Helpline – call 0300 100 0212
This helpline is operated by trained volunteers.
NCT Breastfeeding counsellor – Ruth Clark 01943 467937
Ruth is happy to home visit anywhere in the Wharfe Valley area and further afield if needed.
NCT National Helpline – call 0300 3300771
Now open 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
La Leche League breastfeeding support – Barbara (Ilkley) – 01943 430622, Ruth (Otley) – 01943 461051 and Becky – 01535 633788 or notfromwhitby@hotmail.com. These counsellors are experienced breastfeeders and can provide help and support for new mums
Websites
There is lots of useful information about breastfeeding and how to resolve common problems on KellyMom.com.
The NHS website also has general information about breastfeeding.
Support groups
Breastfeeding can be rewarding but it can also be exhausting. Speaking to other breastfeeding mums and sharing experiences can really help get you through the difficult times.
La Leche League breastfeeding support – Ilkley
Breastfeeding support weekly drop-in – Ilkley
Top tips for success from local mums
Get as much help as you can in the early days – feeding your baby will probably take all of your time/energy so get someone else to do everything else – feed you, washing, changing nappies, …
Use a ring to let you know which breast you are on. ie swap the ring from hand to hand, at the start you can not remember which breast you are on.
Get you partner to help attach the baby – attachment is key ! It is worth getting several health professionals to watch you do it – they often have different bits of advice to each other.
Eat lots of fruit and drink lots of water. You could even book weekly shopping deliveries to come once a week for the first 6 weeks or so.
Common issues
If you have any pain or discomfort, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Blocked ducts – If you get block ducts use a hot water bottle and then rub your breasts with small circles towards the nipple. Do this straight away. Make sure your bra fits well as this can cause block ducts. Use a nipple cream after each feed.
Biting – If your baby bites you, it can be painful and upsetting. Try not to shout (difficult). Calmly say: ‘No’. Break your baby off with your finger. Put him/her down in a safe place and walk away for a short period (this partly allows you to calm down and tells the baby that they won’t get any attention from biting). I then terminate the feed – as in, I don’t return to feed, we move on to something else.
Thank you to MoorMums: Debbie, Kirsty and Amy for their tips. If you have any breastfeeding tips you’d like to share with local mums, please contact us.
