“I’m not sure if I really want to breastfeed.”

This is how many new mothers feel. They are unsure of how breastfeeding will affect their lifestyle, or whether they will enjoy feeding their baby.
Most people are aware that it is the healthiest choice for their baby.
By finding out more information on how babies feed at the breast and milk is produced you are not committed to anything but you may be surprised and find that you enjoy it! Ask your midwife or health visitor for more information about these things and check out if there are any breastfeeding support groups where you live.

“I’m worried that I won’t be able to produce enough milk to feed my baby”

This is a very common concern for new mothers.
Your milk supply depends on early and regular stimulation of the breast by your baby feeding or expressing your milk if baby is unable to feed for some reason. It is important that you offer your baby a feed as soon as possible after he/she is born and then continue to do so as often as he/she wants to feed. It is also important to ensure that baby is well attached at the breast.
It is common for babies to feed approximately 8-12 times in a 24 hour period, although sometimes babies feed less that 3-4 times in the first day after birth. If this is to persist speak to a health professional about it.

“I have heard that breastfeeding can be painful.”

Most people have heard horror stories about this, and it is true, for some mothers, if their baby is not attached optimally at the breast it can be very painful.
This underlines why it is important to ensure that your baby’s attachment is correct each time he/she feeds.
If it is ever painful to feed, especially in the first few days you should stop the feed and start again, ensuring that the nipple is aimed towards the baby’s nose and that he/she takes more of the underside of the breast tissue into his/her mouth (the area closest to his/her chin).
If you have help available with feeding ask someone to watch the process of “putting the baby to the breast”, not to check attachment after you have done it.
If this basic advice is followed breastfeeding should not be painful. You will be aware that your baby is feeding and will “feel” something, but it should not be pain.

“What is a lactation consultant?”

A lactation consultant is someone who works supporting breastfeeding families as a health professional, as a volunteer or in private practice. They have taken the International Board Lactation Consultant Examination and have to prove experience of working in this area prior to being able to enter for the exam. They have to recertify every 5 years and resit the exam every 10 years.

“Isn’t breastfeeding time consuming?”

This is really a matter of perspective! In the early days, while you are learning how to do it this is probably true, however, once you’ve mastered it you can breastfeed anywhere, without having to carry loads of equipment with you. It actually only takes one hand to breastfeed, so you have the other one free to do other things!

“How can I tell if he/she is getting enough milk?”

This is another common concern for new parents.
If your baby is waking for feeds, feeding and settling and sleeping after having taken a feed which includes deep drawing sucks with pauses, rather than little fluttery ones, that should indicate that he/she is taking a good volume of milk.
Another good indication of baby taking enough milk is through observing the contents of his/her nappy. After the first day or so you should notice frequent wet nappies (at least 6 per day). The first bowel motion (meconium) will become more brownish (changing stool) and then turn yellow with “seeds” once the baby is receiving a greater volume of milk. It is important to inform the health professionals visiting you if any of these things are not happening in your situation.

“What if I want a break from feeding?”

Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand basis, so if you want your body to produce milk regularly you have to allow your baby to feed at the breast. This is particularly so in the early days of feeding after the baby is born.
However if either mum or baby is unable to feed for any reason milk can be expressed and given to the baby when appropriate.
It is important to ensure the milk supply is being adequately stimulated by not missing feeds, once feeding is established mum won’t be able to miss a feed without expressing as her breasts will be full!
If you want a break, you can provide milk for your baby by expressing some in advance, feeding as close to the time of being separated from your baby as possible, and then feed again once you return. If you need to express while you are away from your baby there are pumps which are portable, but you will need to keep any expressed milk in a coolbag or fridge.

Why attend a class or workshop about breastfeeding? Surely it all comes naturally

When you are pregnant it is difficult to imagine what life will be like once your baby is born. This is normal.
Breastfeeding is a natural process, but there are many things which happen in labour and birth, which can hamper this natural process. If this occurs many mothers find themselves struggling with feeding and with questions of what is normal or not.
Denise's antenatal workshop is designed to fill you with confidence in your ability to feed your baby.
It also provides you with some realistic expectations for life after the birth and offers you some guidelines of what to do if things don't go quite as expected and some ways of helping to avoid common pitfalls with feeding.
Her aim is that you don't need to call her out, but she's there either with email or telephone support or for a one-to-one consultation if you need it.