Breastfeeding

If you're pregnant and you have breasts, the chances are you can look forward to breastfeeding your baby! Very few women cannot breastfeed for medical reasons. Both you and your baby have instincts not just for birth but for breastfeeding as well. So think positive :-)

Sometimes new mothers will need some help and support when they first start breastfeeding. I've listed below some of the things you could do now (while pregnant) to help you get the heads up on breastfeeding and become acquainted with what support is available to you.

• Attend a breastfeeding class with Nicola O'Byrne (www.breastfeedingsupport.ie) in Leopardstown or Drumcondra, or with Mairead Murphy in Dunboyne www.betterbreastfeeding.ie

• Engage the services of a private IBCLC lactation consultant such as Sue Jameson, Nicola O'Byrne or Mairead Murphy.

• Towards the end of your pregnancy, you could attend a Cuidiu (http://www.cuidiudsw.ie/content/breastfeeding-support)  or La Leche League breastfeeding support group meeting - a great way to meet breastfeeding Mums and meet your local breastfeeding counsellor.

• Read 'Breastfeeding Made Simple' by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and Nancy Mohrbacher (available to borrow from the box of books I bring to class).

There's also lots of information and support online (some good breastfeeding links here http://www.cuidiudsw.ie/content/useful-links), but equally a lot of incorrect and unhelpful information! Be aware of where your breastfeeding information is coming from (ie might be best to avoid breastfeeding websites that are sponsored by formula milk companies, or breastfeeding 'advice' from so-called 'baby experts' who are neither qualified lactation consultants or breastfeeding counsellors  - I'll refrain from naming them! ).

I'm currently training to be a breastfeeding conusellor with Cuidiu, so feel free to come to me with any breastfeeding questions you have and I'll do my best to help. If I can't, I'll put you in touch with someone who can!