It has been a couple of weeks now since I have been able to sit down and write.

Work has kept me busy these last few weeks, I have worked with mums who needed to increase their supply, or decrease their supply, mums who struggled to get baby onto the breast or off the breast and onto the bottle, some mums have had thrush, some mastitis, 2 had to have abscesses drained.

The incredible commonality these very different mums share, is that they all feel like FAILURES!

FAILURES?! REALLY?! WHY?

I sit back and just can't imagine how mums who have been so let down by poor advice, support or teaching can place such a huge burden on themselves and feel responsible for the problems they have encountered.

Breastfeeding is wonderful when it is going well, but just like you need to learn how to drive a car before you go cruising with music blearing and the wind in your hair, you need to learn skills that will set you up for breastfeeding success and enjoyment. The people who teach you these skills, need teaching themselves by somebody who knows what they are talking about, or your skills will ultimately be faulty.

If the skills you have acquired have been faulty, it is not your fault things have gone pear shaped. How on earth should you know about an area that has become so specialized it is considered a medical science?

So, for all you wonderful women out there who feel like it is your fault that your baby is not gaining weight, or who are suffering painful feeds, or quite frankly just don't know which way is up any more, you have come to the right place.

Please take a deep breath and think about it for a minute. You would do anything for your baby, right.
You want the best for your baby which is one of the reasons you are so keen to get breastfeeding right for both of you. If your baby could talk, he/she would urge your to try for both of you, as apart from all the benefits, there is very little a baby would like to do more than breastfeed and be close to you.

Over the next few weeks, I will be releasing Bite Size eBooks that specifically cover the most common problems mums face in detail, in a bid to help as many mums out there, discover how truly fantastic and flexible breastfeeding can be.

In the mean time, you are welcome to touch base with me if there is something I can help with.

With love,

Geraldine


Let's Breastfeed is dedicated to making your breastfeeding dreams become a reality. If I can't see you in person, you can still have me in your living room with my Let's Breastfeed Program!

Thank you for all your emails and comments. I have been receiving quite a few emails from moms whose breastfeeding patterns have gone crazy with the onset of the hot weather, so I thought a few more of you may benefit from a little advice about feeding in the heat.

As the temperature rises, your milk will dilute slightly, to ensure that your baby is getting all the fluid he/she needs. You will notice that your milk is more 'watery' when you express. This is not a sign that the quality of your milk is poor, is is just nature's way of looking after you and little one.

The heat may aslo make your baby feel more sleepy while feeding at the breast, so use your breast compression to help push the milk down toward the nipple, so that it is easier for your baby to access. Undress your baby to the nappy. As you both become hot, you will also become sticky, so it may be easier to drape a muslin over your arm before picking baby up to feed. This will make moving him/her easier, a lot more comfortable and less sticky!

If your baby asks for feeds more frequently than his/her usual feeding pattern, this is absolutely fine. Most babies will ask for food and then only feed for 5 minutes before falling asleep. This feed should be considered as a thirst quenching feed, not a full feed. So, don't worry about pushing your baby to feed longer as these feeds, pop them down. They will wake soon enough for their full feed.

This may play havoc with routines, but just go with it. Ensure that your baby is always in a cool part of the house and lightly dressed. During the day, you could even just have him/her in a little short sleeve vest or nappy.

If you are out, don't leave your baby in the stroller unless it is parked in the shade. Most strollers are dark and this will attract heat. Many moms are hanging a blanket over the hood of the stroller to stop the sun from piercing baby's eyes, just remember that this is creating oven conditions in the stroller and will result in a very hot, thirsty and unhappy baby. Use something incredibly light, such as a muslin, if anything at all and remove as quickly as possible once you are out of sunlight.

Crying makes your baby thirsty, so if your little one is crying for whatever reason, you may find that offering the breast will calm and settle him/her well before putting down.

SUNNY SIDE UP!

Let's Breastfeed is dedicated to making your breastfeeding dreams become a reality. If I can't see you in person, you can still have me in your living room with my Let's Breastfeed Program!