Making Difficult Breastfeeding Decisions… try the BRAIN method?
Last week in my online breastfeeding class a mother-to-be asked “ What if the midwife in the hospital wants me to give the baby formula and I don’t want to? “ Other mothers in my antenatal class talk about stories they’ve heard about feeling pressured to give formula to their breastfeeding newborn. They worry if […]
Placental Encapsulation & Breastfeeding Risks, Should You Think Twice?
Back in 2008, after I had birthed my 4th baby, the midwives asked me what I would like to do with my placenta? To be completely honest, it was not something I had thought about. It had just disappeared after the other births and I didn’t pay much attention to it. That said, if I’m […]
An Open Letter About Tongue Tie Division in Ireland.
Like most people, I am really worried that too many babies are having frenotomies (the procedure during which tongue ties are divided). This niggling concern has remained as I saw increasing numbers of babies having divisions without due process. By that I mean, not opting for division before introducing mother and baby to efficient […]
Help! I’m having a C Section, will I be able to breastfeed?
Maitiú having his first breastfeed in the recovery room . I frequently get emails from mothers who are floored when faced with a change of direction in relation to their baby’s birth. Sometimes, they attend for a routine hospital appointment and are told they will be admitted for a C-Section in the next week. This […]
Vasospasm – Raynaud’s: What You Need to Know about the Effect on Breastfeeding
As we settle into a very cold winter here in Ireland, I’m finding more and more clients are reporting nipple pain that is unrelated to latching problems. Generally, when I’m taking their history, I ask whether they have noticed any colour changes in the nipple. If the mother says yes, that prompts me to […]
Pumping before baby is 6 weeks old?
Dear Nicola I’m wondering if you can help? My baby is 4 weeks old and not back at birth weight. I’ve been feeding her non stop, sometimes I have to wake her up and also my breasts seem softer this week. Is that normal? Kind regards xxx ________________________________________________________________________ I frequently get queries like this from […]