If there was one piece of advice I could give to any expectant mum who believes in breastfeeding their newborn, it would be to do your homework, and get educated before baby arrives.
The more one can read, investigate, learn and understand what lies ahead the more confidence and understanding you will have in yourself and your baby. This will in turn give you and baby a greater chance at a successful breastfeeding relationship. So many new mums expect that although breastfeeding is a natural thing that it should come naturally and easy. They are often disheartened if they hit hurdles and when well meaning but ill informed people throw advice a mums way, often through lack of understanding and confidence mum will accept what is often damaging advice. Knowledge about breastfeeding and expectations will give you more power to fight for that feeding relationship if there are hurdles.
To any of my friends who approach me these days and say that they're wanting to breastfeed, often my first words of advice are to get along to an ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) meeting. It truly is one of the easiest and most supportive ways of surrounding oneself with others in a similar situation. I find that it's especially beneficial for those (including myself, of which I am) somebody who has not been surrounding or exposed to others around them with breastfeeding relationships or experience. My mother never breastfed, nor my mother in law, nor did the vast majority of my friends before I had children. The contacts, support and friendships I have made through attending ABA meetings and becoming a member has been invaluable.
The more one can read, investigate, learn and understand what lies ahead the more confidence and understanding you will have in yourself and your baby. This will in turn give you and baby a greater chance at a successful breastfeeding relationship. So many new mums expect that although breastfeeding is a natural thing that it should come naturally and easy. They are often disheartened if they hit hurdles and when well meaning but ill informed people throw advice a mums way, often through lack of understanding and confidence mum will accept what is often damaging advice. Knowledge about breastfeeding and expectations will give you more power to fight for that feeding relationship if there are hurdles.
To any of my friends who approach me these days and say that they're wanting to breastfeed, often my first words of advice are to get along to an ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) meeting. It truly is one of the easiest and most supportive ways of surrounding oneself with others in a similar situation. I find that it's especially beneficial for those (including myself, of which I am) somebody who has not been surrounding or exposed to others around them with breastfeeding relationships or experience. My mother never breastfed, nor my mother in law, nor did the vast majority of my friends before I had children. The contacts, support and friendships I have made through attending ABA meetings and becoming a member has been invaluable.
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I've been supported, sympathised, empathised with and encouraged by everyone through relactation, tandem feeding, feeding through pregnancy. I've received sage advice when there have been those times where I'm touched out and have thought for a moment it would be easier not to be breastfeeding. Attending ABA meetings allows you to learn about a wide variety of topics concerning breastfeeding and parenting as well. Local groups have many resources available to support you with a library full of all sorts of books, DVD's and the like, on array of topics, as well.
If you would like to know more about your local group or to become a member click here.
I've been supported, sympathised, empathised with and encouraged by everyone through relactation, tandem feeding, feeding through pregnancy. I've received sage advice when there have been those times where I'm touched out and have thought for a moment it would be easier not to be breastfeeding. Attending ABA meetings allows you to learn about a wide variety of topics concerning breastfeeding and parenting as well. Local groups have many resources available to support you with a library full of all sorts of books, DVD's and the like, on array of topics, as well.
If you would like to know more about your local group or to become a member click here.
