The People Behind The Breastfeeder

You never know where you will find your rock.  You can find support in a number of different places, some unexpectant.  I worked with a teen Mum in the States who breastfed under difficult circumstances.  Her family were openly against it and she found the strength and support to continue from her Grandfather.  I received unquestioning support from my Brother.  We all hope that we will receive unwaivering support from those who love us the most, from those that we rely on for advice in the early days of having a baby, but as I was reminded yesterday it's not always guaranteed.

I happened to be at a breastfeeding support group yesterday (where else would I be during World Breastfeeding Week!) and a lady walked in with a bunch of flowers.  How deeply honoured the recipient was to have been such an important person in that ladies life that she remembered her 12 months after having received help.

I don't think it's that family and friends or health professionals don't want to support the new mothers in their lives, I ust think that they have different agendas.  A midwife has to see a certain number of families every day and in the hospital has a large number of rooms to visit multiple times a day and they have a list to complete for each one, a long list.  When they visit at home they have another list of things to get through from child safety to weighing, to mums health to feeding.  A family might be looking at the bigger picture or might just see that mum is struggling and try to help in the only way they think that they can.

A breastfeeding peer supporter or a breastfeeding specialist at a support group has only one agenda.  That is the agenda of every single mother that walks through the door.  They have the time to listen, to empathise, to give each mum the time to really work out what they want and develop a plan together to move forward if that is what they want.  They don't have a checklist, they're not concerned with the immunization schedule or potty training, and they have the luxury of focussing on breastfeeding which is of course why that mum came in today.

They may not know it, but breastfeeding peer supporters and breastfeeding specialists make a huge difference to people's lives, both parents and children, and they are remembered for years to come.

Do you remember who helped you to breastfeed?

  Kent Baby Matters - is a website offering information about infant feeding services across Kent.  Just type in your postcode to find your nearest breastfeeding group, breastfeeding specialist or even where to find a pump.  Find up to date information about becoming a trained breastfeeding peer supporter and when training is happening in your area.

Gaining the confidence to nurse outside of your house might not come as easily to everyone and breastfeeding groups can be the perfect place.  See others breastfeeding, practice your technique and meet others in the same position who might fancy a coffee or a meet up at the local park.

Stay up to date with news about new breastfeeding groups, changes to groups and details about upcoming peer support training follow them on Facebook .

Here are some links to other bloggers and companies taking part in the Scavenger Hunt so that you keep hunting –

Jade from Mummies Waiting  want to join in because I love to help people and use my experiences to do that. I have been breastfeeding for over 2 years now and tandem feeding my 2 year old and 6 month old since birth. We have faced many difficulties, but none that we couldn't over come. I'm a breast feeding peer supporter and love to get people overcoming their issues.

My Moo and Woo is a family lifestyle blog written by a Midlands Mom of 2 girls. Blogging about extended breastfeeding, parenting, health and fitness and everything in between.

Adele Jarrett-Kerr is a writer, blogger and home educating mama to two girls, living in Bristol with her husband and their daughters who are four and one. She blogs about family life and positive parenting at Circus Queen

 Adventures of a Novice Mum is parenting and lifestyle blog from a first time mum who is praying and blogging her way through motherhood. This is where she documents her experiences and mu-m-sings from her mum tinted spectacles on a range of issues in her life. She also shares her love of photography and her blogging lessons, whilst encouraging positive and constructive conversations about breastfeeding.

Fitforparenting is a fitness enthusiast and Mum of 2 living in Cheshire, trying to be a fit parent not always successfully, ranting about breastfeeding, raising kids, depression and feminism with the odd glass of wine!

 

Breastvest - Have promised an essential breastvest duo (1x black and 1x white) in your size.

More 4 Mums - Have promised a set of Hotmilk Lingerie

Helen McGonigal - Has promised a signed copy of Mummy Makes Milk

 

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