Wellbeing when Breast Feeding

If you are a breastfeeding mother, or you are intending to breastfeed when your little ones arrives, you may have planned ahead and thought about equipment you need to support that, such as feeding chairs, pillows, nipple cream and maybe even a breast pump; items that may be a life saver, but that you may also rarely use!

But have you thought about what YOU need you breastfeed? To ensure that you and your own wellbeing are cared for and nurtured during your breastfeeding journey? Ensuring we take care of our own physical health and emotional wellbeing while breastfeeding is really important. Not taking care of yourself can result in a lower chance of you meeting your breastfeeding goals, as well as leaving you exhausted and emotionally drained. So, here are some actions you can take to support your wellbeing when breastfeeding: Prepare antenatally

Attending a class that helps you to prepare for breastfeeding can really help with ensuring you are aware of the signs feeding is going well, the indications that it isn’t, possible solutions and where to find support. Knowing how breastfeeding works and what to do if you face hurdles can make your breastfeeding experience more relaxed, enjoyable and successful and also helps you to set realistic goals based on what you learn and what you feel you are able to achieve. Eat well

Eating well gives you the fuel your body needs to stay energised and healthy as you breastfeed. You don’t need to consume or avoid any particular food items, but is a good idea, as it is for everyone, to eat a healthy balanced diet. Ensure you stay hydrated, too, particularly during a breastfeed (speaking from experience, the thirst that would hit as soon as the milk started to flow each time my babies fed was something else!) It can be tricky to ensure you eat well or cook healthy meals when you are caring for a new baby, so it’s a good idea to prepare during pregnancy and batch cook and freeze healthy meals that you can heat up easily. Of course, not everyone has time or the freezer space to cook a vast number of meals and store them ahead of time, so another tip is when cooking your usual meals, make extra and freeze that instead, so you have easy to heat meals as you go along. Another tip that can be helpful is, if you have a partner who makes a sandwich to take to work in the mornings, get them to make one for you and leave it wrapped in the kitchen, so you can grab it when needed. Exercise

Gentle exercise can be great for boosting your overall feelings of wellbeing, both physically and emotionally. Be mindful of physical restrictions you may have following the pregnancy or birth and seek the

advice of your health care professional if you are unsure. Exercise is a great way to banish low mood as well as release tightness and stiffness you may experience as a result of new sleeping and feeding positions you may have adopted. Be aware of breast changes

Be mindful of how your breasts look and feel and act on any changes you may experience. Tenderness, redness, heat or feeling like you have the flu are possible signs of mastitis, resulting from a build-up of milk in the ducts that becomes infected. Massaging the breast in the shower can help release blocked ducts, but it is still important you seek advice from a health care professional to ensure the best course of treatment. Sore, cracked and bleeding nipples can negatively impact on breastfeeding and can make you dread each feed, so seeking help to find out the cause is important. It could be an adjustment to latch and positioning, or it could be something such as tongue tie or thrush, but support from a breastfeeding professional is key. Rest

Caring for a newborn and learning to breastfeed can be really tiring. Couple this with a lack of sleep and it can really affect your emotional wellbeing, so ensuring you are able to get enough rest is vital. Sharing the load with your partner can be hugely beneficial, so have them be in charge of the nappies, if the feeding is your domain. Get some sleep as much as you can when you are not “on duty”. Ask your partner or friends and family to help. It is important you listen to your body and rest, rather than worry about entertaining people. Most visitors are understanding of this and will pack you off to bed while they enjoy baby snuggles!

GET HELP WHEN NEEDED If you experience challenges that could derail your breastfeeding relationship, seek support. Finding help and overcoming breastfeeding challenges can positively impact not only the breastfeeding journey itself, but also its effect on you emotionally. National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212 Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453

La Leche League: 0345 120 2918 National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300 330 0700 Find an IBCLC: https://lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/

KERRY FOX BABIES: Birth And Baby Information, Education, Support CIC 07985 500707 www.babies.uk.com

To find out more, please contact Abigail Plested on 01462 234216 or 07730 360282

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