Prepare for Birth
Breastfeeding Advice
The benefits of breastfeeding are many. There is no more perfect food for your baby and no more wonderful a feeling than feeding your baby from your body – helping your baby grow in just the same way as you did before your baby was born.
As a Yoga for Pregnancy teacher and an Active Birth teacher I have a particular interest in breastfeeding. I have experienced both sides of the coin – my first baby was a nightmare to feed for about five weeks, whilst my second child was an absolute joy from the word go! Whilst my first baby was undoubtedly not a natural, the conflicting and inaccurate help I was given did nothing to help us at all. It was only at five weeks that I managed to find a breastfeeding clinic where the advice was absolutely correct and delivered by world-renowned breastfeeding experts. This kickstarted my desire to help other women so that they reached the enjoyable and easy phase of breastfeeding without the trauma that I faced.
The number of women in this country who breastfeed beyond six weeks is very very small. It is just so difficult to get the right advice early enough on for a rewarding pattern of breastfeeding to be established.
But with the right help early on, breastfeeding can work really well and is certainly the easiest option – no bottles or sterilise or formula to make up, and your milk is always available, the perfect temperature, and uniquely made just for your baby!
The first way I can help is with my e-book. This is available to purchase in class or from my website. This book contains very detailed explanations of how to prepare for breastfeeding, how and where to sit, how to hold the baby for feeding, how to bring your baby to the breast, and signs and symptoms of a good feed. It is the perfect book to get you started.
If you find you are still having problems, you can arrange for a breastfeeding help with me in the privacy of your own home. At a pre-arranged time, I would call round and go through all the necessary points and help you with the practicalities of getting your baby to the breast properly. This help lasts for one hour and costs £20. Additional help if needed is available at a cost of £15 per hour.
If you would like to arrange for a time when I can come and see you, please call or email me. Appointments between 10am and 2pm are the easiest to arrange although I can do other times with enough notice.
My area of advice is suited to women whose babies are 2 months old or under and where the main problem appears to be incorrect attachment (evidenced by a baby who fusses a lot, isn’t gaining weight, isn’t clearing his meconium, has continued jaundice, or a mother who has sore/cracked nipples/mastitis and pain during feeds). If in my opinion there appeared to be any other factors other than attachment problems, I would refer you to an alternative source of breastfeeding help.
