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One of my very favorite things to do as a new mom is to relax into a comfy chair and breastfeed my newborn baby. Having a 7-week old baby gives me lots of time to indulge in another of my favorite pastimes – reading. I have breastfed my 7 babies for 18 mos, 2 yrs, 4 yrs, 2 yrs, 18 mos, 9 mos, and 7 weeks (so far). These moments are some of my most cherished memories! Breastfeeding hasn’t always been easy for me, however. I have struggled with an increasing pattern of low milk supply starting with my 4th baby, and had to give my 6th baby formula supplements starting at age 3 months. Through these experiences I have developed a strong compassion for and a desire to help other mothers who struggle.

So when I read this article about mothers who choose to exclusively pump their milk and feed it to their babies from a bottle rather than breastfeed, I have mixed feelings. Part of me questions why a mother would not want to breastfeed their baby, since the majority of my experiences have been so positive with my own children. But another thing I am slowly learning as I grow older (and hopefully wiser) is that people are different, and have the right to make different choices in their lives. I have to really admire moms who, for whatever reason can’t or don’t want to breastfeed, are making the time-consuming choice to pump their own milk in order to give their babies the best start possible.

For anyone considering this as an option, I would caution you that exclusive pumping may work for some women, but it is also very likely to be difficult to keep up a full supply over a long period of time. Supplementation may be necessary at some point, and that needs to be something the mother seriously considers at the outset. But for those who don’t see breastfeeding as an option no matter what, exclusive pumping and bottle feeding the breastmilk to your baby is obviously much better for the baby than giving formula.

What do you think about this? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Contact me here.

Breastfeeding is a great partnership between the mother and her baby and requires practice, perseverance, commitment and coordination. The mother when nursing her baby, must make sure she is comfortably in a chair or bed and is well supported by pillows.

There are 4 popular breastfeeding positions which can be adopted. Some are more favorable for the mother than others.

1) CRADLE HOLD – this is frequently used, and the baby lies on the mother’s lap and the baby’s head is held in the crook of the arm. It is a natural ‘cuddling position’. This position may be unsuitable initially for a mother who had a caesarian section, as the weight of the baby will be resting on the scar. It is important to remember that the baby should be facing the mother with its ear, shoulder, and hip lying in a straight line. It is often helpful to tuck the baby’s lower arm under the mothers. For a baby that has difficulty ‘latching on’, it may be harder at first in this position to guide the nipple in to the mouth.

2) TRANSITION / CROSS-CRADLE HOLD – This is a good position to use in the early days when the mother and baby are learning, as it means you can hold the baby’s head with more control and guide the nipple easier for latching on. It is a reverse cradle position as the baby is laying in the opposite direction. If the baby is feeding from the left breast, then the baby is placed on the lap and held with its head in the mothers right hand.

3) CLUTCH / FOOTBALL HOLD. This is a brilliant hold if nursing twins, the mother has large breasts or post caesarian section. The baby is tucked under the arm with its feet to the back and its nose facing the nipple. The baby’s head is held in the mothers hand with the neck, shoulders and back being supported by her forearm. Her arm is best rested on a pillow. The breast is held with the other hand to navigate the nipple in to the mouth. I have often recommended that mothers alternate from cradle position to this one as it helps to prevent sore nipples. If the baby sucks in different positions on the breast it can also help when nipples are sensitive, sore or cracked.

4) LAYING DOWN. This position is ideal if the mother has had a caesarian section, has difficulty sitting down after birth, or needs to rest in bed. The mother lays on her side (with pillows supporting her back) and the baby lays on its side with its nose level with the breast. This position can be restful for mother and baby and can be adopted for night feeds.

THE SUCCESS OF ANY OF THESE POSITIONS IS HAVING PATIENCE AND TIME TO MASTER THE TECHNIQUES IN A RELAXED AND COMFORTABLE PLACE

Author: Rosemary Buchan

I am a Qualified Midwife, and Paediatric Nurse – having trained at the world renowned Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond St., London, U.K. I have over 35 yrs experience of working with mothers and babies and have successfully breastfed and raised 3 children of my own.

I have witnessed first hand the struggle many mothers have in breastfeeding their babies through lack of confidence, information, and encouragement. They are very tired, vulnerable, and emotional, in the early days, and often become discouraged and discontinue breastfeeding through lack of support.

I created BestBreastfeeding.com after my daughter gave birth to her son. I was shocked and saddened to see how much she was left to cope on her own, with minimal professional time and assistance.

My goal is to give you access to excellent, comprehensive information and advice through these resources, to make breastfeeding a relaxed and pleasurable experience for you and your baby.

My aim is that every mother will have the confidence and enjoyment in breastfeeding their baby so I distribute these exceptional products that will enable you to achieve this at http://www.BestBreastfeeding.com

Warm wishes Rosemary Buchan RGN, RSCN, RM, B.Ed (Hons) http://www.BestBreastfeeding.com

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