As such a personal thing, all women have different aims for breastfeeding. The great thing is we can all decide for ourselves what we hope for and want. The bad side is unfortunately our journey through breastfeeding doesn’t always line up with the one we had planned for. The Scottish Maternal and Infant Nutrition Survey in 2017 found that three quarters of those who stopped breastfeeding would have liked to have continued for longer. With these outcomes, a lot of us can feel disappointed with how breastfeeding turns out. We’ve heard from a lot of women about this and some common themes have been feeling like a failure and feeling guilty for stopping. “… the stress and worry I put...
A milk bath is a bath which has milk added to the water, this could be cows or another milk or it could be breastmilk, or is often a combination of these. Milk baths are not a modern invention, this soothing and nurturing practice had been around for centuries but the idea is making a comeback. Using milk in a bath can leave skin feeling extra soft and the milk creates a mild exfoliating action and the fats within the milk are great moisturisers. Many women have used their breastmilk in baths for their babies to provide these benefits and more due to the incredible qualities of breast milk! We love how beautiful babies look enjoying their milk baths. Apart from...
Breastfeeding can be hard, really hard. For some people the option of mixed or combination feeding can be ideal. This is combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding on a regular basis. There are pros nd cons and also risks to consider with this approach. With some conflicting advice out there it’s hard to know what to do and how to start combination feeding. And when. I spoke to Yvonne Fairholm, who runs a breastfeeding support group, for some advice on the matter. Why might I want to mixed feed?“Mums often tell me they combination feed as a breast feed doesn’t fill their baby as when they are then offered a bottle they guzzle it then fall asleep. It is important here...
Breastfeeding is certainly an experience that it is difficult to feel totally ready for. These are some things I wished I had known beforehand. Be prepared Nursing bras, nursing tops, nipple cream. Get your equipment ready before you start. Leaks happen so get some breast pads. Reusables are a great option for the environment and often more comfortable. Watch out for blocked ducts and mastitis Both can be painful and mastitis can make you very ill. If you have a blocked duct try feeding with the baby’s chin in the direction of the blockage. Change sides regularly and make sure your bra is not too tight to try and avoid these problems. It can be a bit awkward, but it’s...
Mere days or even hours after hearing those initial cries of your firstborn and it inevitably begins. Someone’s baby is “easiest”, sleepiest, biggest, the best feeder. There’s nothing like hearing other new mums around you discuss their 6 week old sleeping through the night to make you feel like a failure. One mother feels she is accused of making a rod for her own back by co-sleeping while eyebrows are raised as another is viewed as heartless for pursuing a strict routine. The competitive parenting can begin from day one and is such a shock for new parents who until this moment have gone about their daily lives without constant judgment and evaluation. Social evaluation in this highly personal but...
