This one goes out to BOOBS!
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| We took this photo to mark 'World Breastfeeding Week' this year.. You never know when your BF journey will end; more of a reason to savour these moments and have some memories to look back on |
For those of you who know me, my passion for breastfeeding is no secret, so I have been meaning to write this blog for a while. My hesitation in doing so was the worry of offending my bottle feeding peers- something I would never intend to do. I am the first to say that a love for breastfeeding in some form is required to maintain a breastfeeding journey, as in the beginning moreso, the tough days can outnumber the rewarding ones. Parenting is the most judgemental journey I have ever been on and I certainly do not want to contribute. We are here to support one another and the breastfeeding community in our society is a small one which is in need of a boost.
The ‘Nitty Gritty’
The UK has been deemed the ‘world’s worst’ at breastfeeding (BBC News 2016). A recent report by The Lancet states that the UK has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world, with only 0.5% of women breastfeeding up to a year old, despite the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of breastmilk forming a part of a baby’s diet up until 2 years.
Northern Ireland has the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates in the UK, with 9/10 women stating they quit their breastfeeding journey before they wanted to. So why is this the case? We live in a culture that supports bottle feeding, plastered over shop shelves and TV adverts, formula is advertised well and new parents are extremely vigilant and impressionable. Negative imagery around breastfeeding is rife and very poignant to mums, with researchers believing that our low rates are as a result of social pressures over what is ‘the norm,’ particularly round routine and sleep.
Whilst being honest, I hope to raise awareness and normalise breastfeeding, supporting and empowering women. Breastfeeding role models and peer support may be the answer to changing these statistics.
‘Lactivist’
Being pro breastfeeding often gets you branded as a 'hippy,' a 'tree hugger' or even fancier- a ‘Lactivist.’ To be frank, I’d like to be more of a 'hippy' at times, living a more simplistic life and contributing to making the world a better place for our childrens’ futures, but I struggle to remember to put the recycling out on the right night some weeks. I actually toyed with the idea of those pretty reusable nappies, but then remembered my daily struggle to keep up with washing the necessities like our clothes, so burst my bubble.
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| My niece & nephew don't bat an eyelid at BF now, I wish the same for Pippa in hope that I have helped normalise it |
Research shows that the decision to breastfeed is actually made in childhood (although can be swayed obviously when growing up), a reason to normalise breastfeeding and influence the younger generations, something I feel passionate about for my Daughter. If children of this generation grow up seeing breastfeeding as the biological norm that it is, then they will come as a second nature, minimising pressure and feelings of embarrassment. The choice to breastfeed for me personally, was an informed one. I didn’t grow up seeing a lot of breastfeeding (like most of my peers in this generation). I definitely feel I made this decision before my midwifery training. However learning about the health benefits for mum and baby drove my passion for it.
Successful Breastfeeding requires support. From healthcare professionals, to peer support, online groups and ofcourse, from family. So if you are reading this as a partner, birthing partner, friend or family of a breastfeeder, please know that your role in this journey is a very valuable one, don't underestimate that.
Straight Facts:
As cheesy as it sounds, breastmilk is tailored to your baby, changing in composition between every feed to meet your baby’s needs. It makes and provides antibodies against infection, as well as providing unique nutrition and comfort for your baby. Breastfed babies are at less risk of infections, childhood leukaemia, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death), Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes to name a few. Recent research shows a higher IQ in breastfed babies also. Benefits for Mum include prevention of Ovarian Cancer, Breast Cancer, Osteoporosis, Cardiovascular Disease and Obesity, not to mention a strengthened bond between mum and baby which can help prevent Postnatal Depression.
The Early Days
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| Most of our hospital pictures are of us doing 'skin to skin' or 'kangaroo care' |
SKIN TO SKIN, SKIN TO SKIN, SKIN TO SKIN- that is all! Well maybe not all, but a pretty big deal! Research encourages immediate skin to skin contact between mother and baby as soon as possible post birth, preferably for an hour undisturbed to increase the success of breastfeeding. Skin to skin was our first ‘go to’ during any of those early day blips and in the majority of cases it worked.
Most of the books and professionals will tell you that breastfeeding doesn't hurt (I was one of these and I am sorry Mamas). It shouldn’t. But sometimes it does! Ruling out possible problems such as poor latch and tongue tie, etc, it can come down to a case of sensitive nipples. Which lets face it- your nipples have never seen so much action, being gnawed by clamping gummies 18 hours out of the day, it’s understandable! Give them time- they will soon feel like leather and you won’t notice your baby latching in the middle of the night (just me?!). Cue- Lanolin nipple cream- your best and most loyal postnatal friend, go ahead and invest in shares now.
Keeping it real…
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| Handy on a warm day to have fluids on tap @ the right temperature |
Breastfeeding is more than a decision- it is a commitment and a lifestyle change. Each baby is different. You may get that baby who refuses a bottle, who only breastfeeds to sleep, who doesn't take a dummy so boob is it’s only comfort, who needs to co-sleep as is a keen night feeder.
Unlike a bottle fed baby, you can’t overfeed a breastfeeder and breastfed babies are fed on their demand. So spending the majority of your days feeding is normal/encouraged and you often find yourself offering a boob as first resolve when baby is upset. It is therefore quite unpredictable. When breastfed babies are sick, they will usually feed more often and for longer periods.
You also have to plan and justify each glass of wine in the beginning and feel extra pressure to eat healthily (most of the time). I have seen Mums giving up dairy from their diet at the drop of a hat as their baby is diagnosed with allergies- that is commitment! Some of my breastfeeding peers love breastfeeding, others really dislike it but stick with their commitment to do it for personal reasons. Every breastfeeding journey is different and personal.
You also have to plan and justify each glass of wine in the beginning and feel extra pressure to eat healthily (most of the time). I have seen Mums giving up dairy from their diet at the drop of a hat as their baby is diagnosed with allergies- that is commitment! Some of my breastfeeding peers love breastfeeding, others really dislike it but stick with their commitment to do it for personal reasons. Every breastfeeding journey is different and personal.
A breastfeeding mum loses a little freedom in a way, but this is normal and totally justified. We are required to stay close to our babies as much as possible in order for milk production to occur. We can’t just up and leave, run to the shops on our own or go on an impromptu night out. You hope that the Hen Parties will be a one night event rather than a weekend away so you stand a chance of not missing out. Time away from our babies requires weeks of prep, expressing milk and testing teets to make sure baby won’t go hungry and you won't get a panicked phone call from grandparents mid second bottle of Prosecco (who am I kidding? I can't stand after one these days). After all the prep, the last thing you want to have to do is go home.
On the plus side (I promise there are many!), on the ‘every days,’ heading out with baby requires a lot less prep, you can leave the house with very little as you have your baby’s ready made meals on tap at the right temperature. Another of my biggest pros is having an instant, readily available resolution to a crying baby. I genuinely feel bad for my bottle feeding friends when their baby is upset and they need to prep the milk, then wait for it to cool. Anxieties in a new Mum are already running high and this scenario certainly doesn't help. The lazy, sleep worshiping side of me also ‘high fives’ breastfeeding at 3am, when I don't have to step foot out of my bed!! Not to mention the excuse to ditch the underwire and rock the most comfy bras in M&S (sorry, not sorry).
‘The LOVE Hormone’
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| Babies are designed to stay close to their Mummies, it's a mammal thing! |
Oxytocin, also known as the ‘love hormone’ is necessary in not only birth, but in breastfeeding. Oxytocin is the hormone that tells your brain to release the milk form the milk ducts, also known as ‘the let down reflex.’ But that is not all! When your other half approaches you with the fussy baby for the fifteenth time in the day saying ‘I think she's hungry Hun,’ you smile through gritted teeth in front of your visitors as you reach for baby, secretly cursing him and his useless nipples; luckily Mother Nature prevails and sends you that much needed dose of Oxytocin (often described as nature's Diazepam) and you relax in your little trance and do your thing!
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| I naively imagined my birth pictures to look very different to this! Skin to skin provided some much needed normality for us amongst chaos |
Practical Tips (from personal experience)
- Skin to skin- if all else fails, revert to this!
- Skin to skin- if all else fails, revert to this!
- Antenatal education around breastfeeding in any/all forms are a NECESSITY! From self learning; reading books and articles, joining social media support groups to breastfeeding workshops and support groups. Pregnant women are very welcome at breastfeeding support groups, for example La Leche League and local community groups. The opportunity to see and hear breastfeeding normalised and pick up practical tips will pay off in the postnatal period.
- If you're a little prudish like me and don’t want to flop your boobs out or expose your sensitive postnatal tummy (each to their own- it doesn't bother me either way), wear a vest top under your t-shirt. You can then undo your nursing bra, lift your boob out of the vest and it’s still covered. This is so discreet that the breastfeeding often goes unnoticed.
- Lanolin cream works best/is easiest applied when soft/warm. Keep it in your pocket pocket or on a radiator to soften and have ready for use (especially needed for those winter babies).
- Join the social media support groups ('Breastfeeding in NI', 'La Leche League', 'Can I breastfeed in it,' etc…) as when you're awake at 4 am with a query and the whole world around you is sleeping, there is a Mummy on there who has experienced the same thing or knows the answer, or who can just give you a much needed virtual ‘fist pump’ of encouragement.
- Buy the reusable breast pads for comfort. They won’t stick to your already high sensitised nips or baby’s face overnight by accident, they don't rustle when you move and you cant see them through every top you wear.
- Never give up on a bad day- words of wisdom from every breastfeeding mum. Tread on through that bad day and reconsider on a good one. Chances are you will likely change your mind, but either way, you should hopefully have less regrets.
- Never give up on a bad day- words of wisdom from every breastfeeding mum. Tread on through that bad day and reconsider on a good one. Chances are you will likely change your mind, but either way, you should hopefully have less regrets.
My top Belfast NIP ('Nursing in public') hangouts:
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| A 'NIP' @ St Georges Market Belfast |
- Mamas & Papas, Victoria Square (private room with a fancy rocking chair and REALLY friendly staff who feel like friends and know your baby by name)
- Avoca (they refill your teapot as many times as you like and you are never the only BF Mum in here)
- Cafe in NEXT, Royal Avenue (they have a ‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ sticker which makes me feel instantly comfortable)
- Castle Court (lovely little booths in baby changing room with a comfy chair for BF)
- And frankly anywhere that you like/feel comfortable/your baby decides he/she is hungry. To be honest, most people around you won’t notice you're feeding, most other Mums will give you ‘the nod’ of approval and anyone who has anything negative to say is in the minority.
- Castle Court (lovely little booths in baby changing room with a comfy chair for BF)
- And frankly anywhere that you like/feel comfortable/your baby decides he/she is hungry. To be honest, most people around you won’t notice you're feeding, most other Mums will give you ‘the nod’ of approval and anyone who has anything negative to say is in the minority.
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| Breastfeeding at the Belfast Marathon finish line at 4months old as we cheered Daddy's relay team on |
Likely to be continued in the near future…..
Until next time,
One proud, empowered, tough nippled (eventually) Mama
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| Feeding my little Bunny on her first Easter this year |
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| This is me creating 'These Wonder Years' blog back in July in our local cafe captured by my Husband. He was never too far away with our Boobie Monster. She is my inspiration after all! |
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| Check out the fabulous 'Wheel in the Wind' photography. I was lucky to have them in my home for a newborn photoshoot and again recently for a breastfeeding photoshoot. They have captured some lifelong memories of our family that we'll be forever grateful of! |
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