Friday 15 June 2012

Together Everyone Achieves More

As you all know by now, I am taking part in the keep Britain breast feeding scavenger hunt and it's that time of the week when I post my experiences about feeding to hopefully help you along the way with your own personal breast feeding journey.

This week's topic is 'support'. Having a support network really is a god send. Friends, family, your partner, health visitors and support groups can all play a vital role in making feeding your baby that much easier.

Now all of the above are important, one thing missing from that list is the support of a good bra! Getting this small (...but not in size) piece of equipment right is a must for any mum planning or currently breastfeeding. Too tight and it can block your milk ducts leading to the dreaded mastitis and if it's too loose you will look like you are carrying round a bag of spuds.

It's recommended to get your bra around two weeks before your due date. But don't be afraid to go back and get measured once your milk comes in. Your boobs are amazing but they aren't crystal balls that can see in to the future! You may find, like me, that you have an abundance of milk (yes, when they have been engorged I could make Jordan jealous) and need a bigger size than expected. You may also want to consider a bigger size for night time as that was when my boobs would get massive and the bra would just not fit.

Basically, if it doesn't feel right it probably isn't! Go and get re-measured and try and go when your breasts are full as that will affect the size you are given.

Although partners can't physically breast feed for you, they can still provide essential support. Keeping you company during the night feeds in the early days, fetching you drinks and food when you are feeding, scratching that itch you just can't reach can all help. What's more, and this doesn't even require moving, is to tell you what a fantastic job you are doing, yes guys it really is that easy to please us ladies.

Also, take advantage and let them help in other ways. They may not be able to whip out a moob and take over, but they do have two hands that are capable of changing nappies and outfits.

Also find and GO to your local breastfeeding support group, treat it as your sanctuary and find comfort in that fact that everyone is in it together. Whether you meet new mums or old hands at breastfeeding most people would have been through some form of feeding problem so don't be afraid to ask for help.

These groups give you the chance to get tips on all kinds of issues such as position, feeding frequencies, pain, night feeding, duration, weight gain and many more.

I personally find my group a lot more helpful than talking to my health visitor. Being with people who are feeding or who have fed really is invaluable.

Just remember that if you choose to breastfeed you don't have to do it alone. Think TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More.

For one of my lucky readers who leaves a comment on this post, you will be entered into a draw to win a product of your choice from the fab Lactivist website. www.lactivist.co.uk

Also check out what other mummies are saying about support by clicking on the following links:

http://www.circusqueen.co.uk

http://www.anewaddition.co.uk

http://www.breast4babies.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.snugglebundl.co.uk

http://www.naturalnursery.co.uk

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16 comments:

  1. my health visitor Ruth was so supportive and really gave me confidence to go on. What a wonderful lady!

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  2. It's fantastic when you find someone who helps and understands. Sounds like your health visitor was amazing! It really does make a world of difference. Thank u for reading my post.x

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  3. Having breast feading supportive friends is also invaluable! Xx

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    1. I know and your support has been amazing. Thank u boobie buddy. Love ya. X

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  4. Great post. Totally agree that partner can help in so many ways even if he can't actually do the feeding. Changing nappies is so helpful, I reckon he's done more than me overall! And just that 'you're doing an amazing job' comment is perfect - my husband still says that most days at 16 months and it give me such a boost. Apart from him I have also had incredible support from local LLL group who gave me so much accurate information, unlike my pretty awful midwife and health visitor, and practical and emotional support when things were really tough.

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  5. Thanks Ruth :-) glad you had a good support too. My health visitor was pretty rubbish too. I guess it just depends who you get. Some of my friends were told to start adding in formula instead of getting more help with feeding. X x x

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  6. Yeah all i had was a leaflet in pregnancy and then when she was born they had a look at her whilst feeding and that was it! And its seeming it will be the same again when bump decides to arrive as i have had the same lovely leaflet lol! I am very lucky to have a very supportive husband who offers help and reassurance any way he can and my mum is just a call away in times of need for some great advice and saying how great im doing! I always try to offer support to friends anyway i can as i know not everyone gets the help or support that is so important especialy in those early days when you have no clue what to expect! x

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    1. Gotta love a leaflet. Thanks for your comment! I got to watch a video and I swear the lady had the biggest nipples I had ever seen! Bizarre. xx

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  7. My daugher (3) is a great supporter she tells everyone that her brother only drinks mummy milk, she attends the breast buddies group I run and knows everyone by name, fetches drinks for them. When at home she fetches stuff for me if I'm feeding.

    In the early days it was my partner, I had a difficult time first time around and a few times said "lets just try a bottle of formula" out of pure desperation and lack of knowledge. he would say "lets just take it a feed at a time, you can do this, you know its what you want to do" and that was enough to get me through the rough stages till I got some proper support and advice.

    Now my circle of mummy friends are my biggest support, its great to have people you can talk to open and honestly... peer support is a wonderful thing! My top tip all last week was to find your local support/peer supporters/breastfeeding group before baby is born so you can get to know them, this makes it much easier to contact them after baby is born; faces to names and voices. Its good to know you have support from people who you know and are familiar with and that you trust.

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    1. Love your comment! Really like the idea of one feed at a time, that is what my midwife told me second time around! I think it helps to not look at the big picture sometimes. x

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  8. I have two children and I have found the midwives and health visitors not unsupportive but not very supportive either and I totally agree that more localized groups and other mums are great sources for support and advice.

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    1. I know what you mean, that's why its always great to speak to other mums that have had experience of it. Thank you for your comment. x

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  9. My mum and my husband are my biggest supporters. Mum was an LLL counsellor and has helped and encouraged me in everything. DH has absorbed everything I've told him and is always ready to defend breastfeeding.
    On the subject of bras, I found http://www.nursingbra.co.uk/ was really useful as it allows you to search by size. I bought the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra, and it's great because it stretches and shrinks as you do.

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    1. Love your tip about the Bra, that sounds amazing. I wish I had known about them sooner. It would be so handy for when the milk comes in and night times. If I ever do it again, I am so getting one of those. Thanks for the comment. x

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  10. My husband is my biggest support, he's a total lactivist bless him and so proud of me for nursing our boys. I love Hot Milk bras, they are so pretty and look just like normal 'sexy' bras but are really comfy.

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  11. My husband has been fantastic.

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