I’m a maternity nurse – why I believe breastfeeding is NOT always best

WHEN it involves feeding infants the World Well being Organisation insists 'breast is greatest' however this is not one thing I agree with.

It is likely to be an unpopular opinion, however in my expertise as a maternity nurse, the stress this message places on new mums can, in some instances, result in unimaginable emotional pressure.

Louenna says mums who force themselves to breastfeed struggle with the emotional strain
Louenna says mums who power themselves to breastfeed wrestle with the emotional pressureCredit score: Provided

Louenna Hood has over 20 years experience
Louenna Hood has over 20 years expertiseCredit score: Provided

I've heard so many tales from ladies about being caught in hospital, exhausted and in ache and never having fun with their newborns as a result of they really feel beneath obligation to breastfeed. It makes me so unhappy.

If a mum isn't having fun with breastfeeding, I do not imagine she ought to really feel responsible for stopping. Her happiness and wellbeing are two of an important issues that may preserve her child glad, secure and effectively.

Breastfeeding is commonly described as essentially the most pure factor on the planet, nonetheless I am my opinion, that’s not the case for all ladies and, sadly, this may make some new mums really feel like a failure.

If a child has tongue tie, reflux or is especially sleepy to start with it may be very tough to breastfeed effectively.

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This is not the case with all infants, as each child and mom is completely different, however typically tongue tie or reflux can lead to an uncomfortable child that may not achieve weight effectively. Consequently, they'll get caught in a snacking cycle, which leaves everyone exhausted.

Crucial factor is that child will get sufficient vitamin so I really feel we urgently have to reframe the child feeding narrative - fed is greatest, whether or not that's with breast milk or formulation. A fed child is extra more likely to lead to a cheerful child, and a cheerful child is extra possible to assist mum's happiness too.

I imagine it does not matter in the long term whether or not a baby had breast milk or formulation in infancy. Many could disagree with me, however have you ever ever walked right into a classroom of 5 yr olds and been in a position to select the kids who have been and weren’t breastfed?

New mums ought to do is what feels proper.

Regardless of the feeding technique, a child will thrive so long as they've a cheerful and loving dwelling.

When you DO select to breastfeed, here is how I imagine you may get one of the best out of it...

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Most well being professionals encourage ‘feeding on demand’ and for brand spanking new mums to keep away from expressing within the early months.

In my expertise, expressing may help enormously with the mum's restoration post-birth. Feeding on demand would possibly work for some however expressing within the first few weeks permits mums to relaxation whereas dads or different members of the family feed their baby, which is great for bonding.

It additionally ensures child will take a bottle early on and assist keep away from bottle refusal later.

When you determine to attempt expressing, I counsel pumping after the primary feed of the day when milk ranges are excessive to create a small stash to retailer within the fridge or freezer – good for high ups. Pumping on the finish of a feed indicators to the physique to make extra milk, thus rising provide after a number of days.

The Louenna app contains pumping schedules, product suggestions and routines for these wishing to precise completely. I additionally suggest dietary supplements resembling fenugreek tablets and brewer’s yeast, which is extensively generally known as an excellent meals for lactating mums.  

GET INTO A ROUTINE

Whereas some mom take a baby-led strategy to feeding, I imagine in making a schedule so child is woken for feeds. With this technique, if it really works for you, the advantages might be twofold.

Firstly, the household has some construction to days and nights and may relaxation. Child can also be wholesome, glad and thriving and capable of get correct feeds and sleeps as a result of they’re not studying to cry for feeds.

By belief they are going to be woken earlier than turning into too hungry they continue to be content material and fogeys are rested. I counsel dad and mom to begin by following a 3 hourly feeding cycle.

Every feed ought to final not more than an hour, adopted by a two hour break till the subsequent one.

This ensures mum doesn’t get too sore and child isn’t snacking. As soon as child has gained sufficient weight, often across the 8lb mark, they'll transfer onto a 4 hourly schedule.

BOTTLE FEED

The World Well being Organisation (WHO) recommends completely breastfeeding for at the very least six months and phrases resembling ‘nipple confusion’ are thrown round by many to counsel that a child will turn out to be muddled between the breast and the bottle.

I’ve nannied for 20 years and cared for tons of of infants and have discovered the other to be true.

In my expertise, introducing a each day bottle feed earlier than child is one month previous will assist keep away from bottle refusal, which might be very limiting for mum, notably if she’s going again to work, admitted to hospital unexpectedly or just desires a break.

Feeding at 6.30pm ensures child is full at bedtime. Any earlier and mum’s provide is at its lowest and may result in cluster feeding, an overtired child and really sore mum!

BUY FORMULA

If a mum has chosen to provide breastfeeding a go, some well being professionals advise not preserving formulation in the home as a result of it's too tempting to succeed in for and will prematurely finish a breastfeeding journey.

For my part, this recommendation is backward-thinking and irritating. I like to recommend preserving some formulation in the home so within the first few weeks, if mum is exhausted or has had a traumatic start, another person can take duty for the feed and permit mum to sleep. 

Relaxation will assist a brand new mum’s psychological wellbeing in addition to her milk provide, which might solely contribute to the long-term success of breastfeeding.

DIET MATTERS

Nursing mums are suggested to eat an additional 600 energy a day and have a balanced weight-reduction plan, with numerous carbohydrates and good fat.

Snacks resembling nuts, oat bars, smoothies and fruit are nice for sustaining power ranges while feeding. Keep in mind that any meals or drink consumed will impact the breastmilk.

It all the time amazes me how a tiny quantity of one thing your child dislikes can come by means of in your milk and upset their tummy.

Each child is completely different so there’s no definitive listing of what they'll react to however from expertise I counsel mums to avoid something fizzy (together with carbonated water), spicy (except you've got eaten spicy meals all through being pregnant), and enormous quantities of onion and garlic.

Louenna says breastfeeding isn't the right way to go for every mum
Louenna says breastfeeding is not the best option to go for each mumCredit score: Provided

Louenna founded her app in 2020
Louenna based her app in 2020Credit score: Provided

Consuming fish is implausible while you might be feeding as a result of it is stuffed with Omega 3 fatty acids,  which specialists imagine are essential for a child's mind and eye growth.

It’s really helpful that breast-feeding mums solely have two parts of oily fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon and trout) every week.

The Louenna app is on the market to obtain on the App Retailer & Google Play or go to www.louenna.com for extra data

For extra parenting tales, this proud mum-of-six confirmed off her children’ bed room however will get completely savaged when trolls spot their names.

And this mum solely washes her child’s reusable nappies as soon as every week - they stink however she's used to it.

Plus this girl who was one in every of 14 revealed her dad and mom simply gave up in the long run and let her little brother suck on uncooked bacon as an alternative of a dummy

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