Essential Breastfeeding Support for New Mothers

Becoming a mother can be a beautiful, yet challenging journey. For new mothers, learning to breastfeed can feel overwhelming. However, with the right support and resources, you can navigate this essential stage with confidence. Let's explore the core aspects of breastfeeding help and resources that every new mother should know.

Breastfeeding Help and Resources

The first few days to weeks after giving birth can be crucial for establishing breastfeeding. In our society we stress the benefits of breastfeeding, and most mothers want to do it, but in my experience (8 years of private practice) most have not been properly educated or supported to understand exactly how it works.

Many new mothers often feel anxious about whether they are doing it correctly. It is important to remember that breastfeeding is both a physiological (meaning the body will 'just do it') and practical (there are somethings you need to know how to do) process, requiring time, patience, and practice.

But learning how to breastfeed for the first time, as soon as the baby is born like picking up a musical instrument for the first time in your life and expecting to be able to play in a sold-out concert the same day.

This is where classes during pregnancy can be essential. Although most hospitals offer lactation consultations shortly after birth, they can be busy or unable to give you the time you require to really understand what is needed. Midwives should know how to support breastfeeding, but again, experience (13years as a midwife and a study on mothers' experiences of breastfeeding support after birth) tells me that most unfortunately do not.

Having a new baby can be a beautiful but challenging time

The World Health Organisation says that 70% of mothers and babies should be able to exclusively breast feed to 6 months. Unfortunately, while over 95% of mother's initiate breastfeeding in hospital, only 15 - 37% are still exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months.

Before you think 'oh but maybe they didn't want to continue' - other statistics have shown that 60-80% of mothers who stop breastfeeding before 6 months felt like they were forced to and regret their decision.

The biggest reasons mothers stop breastfeeding is usually due to incorrect information about how breastfeeding actually works - namely, they think they don't have enough milk, or breastfeeding is too painful and they're not supported to fix the underlying issue.

Understanding the Breastfeeding Process

Although breastfeeding is a continuation of pregnancy and birth it does require understanding how it physically works. Unlike pregnancy where a baby will just grow without any conscious effort from the mother, breastfeeding does require some knowledge, especially how the baby is designed to breastfeed - they have been practicing breastfeeding during pregnancy and are guided by instincts and reflexes. But when parents are not helped to understand what these mean, it can be confusing and even down-right anxiety inducing.

I want all my clients to look this calm!

Many may know that getting a 'deep latch' is important, but they are often now shown how to achieve this properly. And no, its not just a matter of pushing the nipple into the baby's mouth.

Thinking that you do not have enough milk is another big issue. But in truth 90% of mothers can make enough - meaning that 90% of the time there is probably another reason for the 'symptoms', not that your body is somehow broken.

This is why doing classes during pregnancy can be so helpful. Although you don't have the baby to actually practice with, if you understand how it works in theory, it will hopefully help reduce the anxiety of needing to do it after birth.

And if you struggle after birth, classes can help you understand what to do in certain situations and where to seek help.

I run antenatal (during pregnancy) breastfeeding classes - they can be done as mini-groups if you have friends who are also pregnant or privately. You can book any day/time that suits you via my booking calendar or get in touch to organise something else

Learn more about Antenatal Breastfeeding and Newborn Preparation Classes - www.cherishedparenting.com.au/antenatal-breastfeeding-newborn-class

Book an appointment - www.cherishedparenting.com.au/midwife-lactation-appointments-online-perth