Isn’t it funny, how there have always been parents and there have always been children to parent, yet the challenges faced for both have shifted and changed often dramatically over the course of history? We can only ever focus our energies on the problems faced in the here and now, but when we reframe our challenges they seem so meagre in comparison to those of our great-great grandparents and ancestors beyond. Nevertheless, we move.
There are now options in the way we nourish our babies; a godsend for parents who may not be able to provide the bountiful benefits of breastmilk. Breastfeeding will always be nutritionally exceptional, and the health benefits for mum and baby continue to be celebrated and proven time and time again. Not to mention the closeness and special bond it creates. A natural pacifier and sleeping aid, a real asset to the parenting toolbox.
My breastfeeding journeys have all been pretty similar, with the exception of my first child fourteen years ago. I didn’t know anyone who had breastfed before, it was not a particularly common sight either. I was the first in my circle to have a baby and it was a huge shocker let me tell you, planned, but a huge awakening. He breastfed okay on and off for a while, but I found it quite forced and had no support. People seemed to be obsessed with how much he was drinking, how often, how much weight he was gaining; the list is quite endless. It was hard also because I was working quite a lot and found it so challenging to plan feeds, not to mention the temperamentality of my breasts becoming randomly engorged!
When my subsequent children came along it was a completely different story. I made the decision in my second pregnancy that breastfeeding was for me and that I would do it. It was a part of my make-up and the switch had well and truly been switched on. I’d read relentlessly on natural parenting, and the notion that our bodies are strong, powerful and can nourish our offspring as naturally as the next mammal. This is of course not everyone’s take on life, but it has been a statement I have lived by for many years. And it has worked.
I wanted to share my own key tips for a long and successful breastfeeding journey. These are things that have been important for me to ensure that I don’t lose my way and my children are healthy, safe and well fed:
1. Feed on demand
Always. Don’t listen to anyone who says baby is manipulating you, or you’re ‘making a rod for your own back’, those things are completely untrue. You owe it to baby to feed them whenever they so desire, and however often they decide. Feeding this way will ensure your baby is the correct weight they are meant to be, so try not to get hung up on growth charts. I requested not to have my babies weighed by health visitors (yes, you can do this). Feeding at the sign of any grumble is the perfect way to ensure a sufficient supply. Baby will go through phases of ‘cluster feeding’ when they want to feed all the time, so get comfy and go with it, relax into it. It really doesn’t last that long in the grand scheme of things.
2. Co-sleeping
This is a game changer. I never suffered sleep deprivation with my last three children and I put it down to the ultimate combination of co-sleeping and breastfeeding lay down on the side. This absolutely must be done safely, and now the Lullaby Trust offers guidance on how to do this. If you’re thinking about co-sleeping then do go over their guidelines. It’s biologically normal for babies to sleep with their mothers. You only have to look at every other species of mammal to see this. You may have a fancy nursery set up, and it will still be there when your baby is older. They make great play and relaxation areas in the meantime!
3. A solid, deep latch
Every single time. You’re aiming for as much breast tissue in baby’s mouth as possible really, not just the tip of the nip (ouch!). This is really important to get right in the first few days, and weeks. It’s often a source of great pain if baby’s not latched properly, and results in early cessation of many breastfeeding journeys. A good latch is important for all age babies and toddlers (who can get a bit lazy with their latching causing unexpected pain for mum).
It's at this point I want to stress this is just a snippet from my personal feeding journey and no two mother's parenting looks the same. Take from this what you need, and if anything strikes a chord with you I’d love to hear about it.
Happy feeding!
Sophie x
The Local Mama Blog Editor
@sophieandteamt
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