'It can be an emotional time, but remember: You are not failing', dietitian believes breast is best

Dietitian Aoife Hearne is at the 32-week stage of pregnancy. The early days and weeks of a newborn are her favourite — and that includes breastfeeding.
'It can be an emotional time, but remember: You are not failing', dietitian believes breast is best

I’ve hit the 32-week mark and it’s now single figures in the countdown to D-day. Yikes!

I kept a pregnancy vlog during my first pregnancy — it’s a little embarrassing looking back at it now. But re-watching it reminds me how daunting pregnancy, especially the first time around, can be.

I had so many hopes and dreams — just like any mother-to-be. A vaginal birth and breastfeeding were top of my priority list.

My first delivery didn’t go to plan — a story for another day — but maybe because of that, breastfeeding became even more important to me. I suppose being a dietitian, it’s no surprise because back then feeding was only about nutrition. But I was actually really scared I wouldn’t like the sensation of breastfeeding.

It wasn’t until I took a breastfeeding preparation class that I really understood how breastfeeding works and how it is about so much more than just nutrition.

As soon-to-be parents, it is important to be mindful that the choices we make early in a child’s life have a big effect on their health for life.

This is especially true when it comes to early life nutrition. This can be a hot topic for many parents, mothers in particular. How you feed your baby is a personal decision, and it is important that, as a society, we support women with whatever choice they make.

That being said, we really need to make sure that women are making informed choices when it comes to infant feeding. Sadly, this is not happening in this Ireland. We have been fed the mantra ‘breast is best’ for decades, with little practical support regarding how it works and why it is important.

When it comes to breastfeeding let me start by saying you should not underestimate the superiority of your breastmilk and how it is tailor-made for your baby.

That is not to put pressure on you, but it is important to understand what a fantastic substance you have to give your baby. No matter how many ads claim how ‘close’ they can get, breastmilk is a bespoke live substance that cannot be recreated.

During pregnancy, your body is busy making the ingredients necessary for milk and after birth your baby is expecting to receive your wonderful milk.

We can see this by what’s called the breast crawl, where newborn infants will actually bob their little heads along their mother’s chest to find the nipple to feed. I remember this special moment clearly with both my children. And each time it hit me: This is not the best way to feed my baby, this is the biological and normal way to feed my baby.

All too often, pregnant women hear the extremes of breastfeeding — either how lovely (and sometimes easy) it is or else how sore it is. Let me clear a few things up.

Breastfeeding is natural but that does not necessarily mean it’s easy, especially at the start. There can be challenges but seeking help as soon as you come up against what seems like a roadblock is the key to success. Know that breastfeeding should never hurt — if it does seek support from a lactation consultant to assess your latch as soon as you can.

It can be an emotional time, but remember: You are not failing, you are learning a new skill. Go easy on yourself while you learn this new skill,because more often than not you are doing this while sleep deprived and hormonal.

This is not how any of us would choose to learn something so important, right? And don’t forget there is almost always a breastfeeding solution for a breastfeeding problem.

According to the Growing Up in Ireland study, the most common reason for women to finish breastfeeding before they wanted is the belief they do not have enough milk. This is not helped by many health professionals supporting this myth and encouraging (and often pressurising) women to top up with formula in hospital.

Simply put, breastmilk is made on a demand/supply system. Topping up with formula and reducing the frequency of nursing can actually be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Research by Ann Dozier at the University of Rochester suggests that about three to four weeks after breastfeeding mothers introduce ‘top-ups’ they will no longer be breastfeeding. This is a fact that is never shared with mothers when they are likely at their wits’ end in hospital with little skilled breastfeeding support and only the offer a bottle.

Know this: You have enough milk for your baby. Frequent nursing in the early days and weeks is normal — this is how your baby puts in their order for the nutrition they need. Trust that your body, which nourished your baby for nine months, can also nourish your baby exclusively for the first six months of your baby’s life. None us would be here if that wasn’t the case.

The crazy early days/weeks of a newborn are my favourite. I love the freedom of not needing to be in a ‘routine’ with this tiny little person. And I love the convenience of breastfeeding. It makes us both happy.

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