Breastfeeding is a whole new world for a first time mother. It is like learning a new skill / job that they have never faced before and expecting them to succeed on Day 1. Whilst they are pregnant,they will have many sources telling them that 'Breast is Best' and yet it is often something that many new mums do not feel readily comfortable with at first. Regularly undressing and getting their breasts out, and feeling a lot bigger, needs adapting to, and deep inside there is often that yearning to have their privacy and shape back. Life feels all about the newborn baby, and the tired and vulnerable mother often feels like a 'milk machine.' So often breastfeeding is promoted as best for the baby, and a mother can feel others have persuaded her in to a decision she had no ownership of. These negative thoughts need to be counterbalanced with positive messages to the mother in order for her to breastfeed long term.
So how can we promote breastfeeding to these mothers that are overwhelmed and not confident about what they are doing?
1) Make them feel valued. Give plenty of endorsement to the gift they are giving to their child by breastfeeding, and tell them how much they are appreciated for doing this.
2) Affirm them as a person with words that build them up about how they look, and how attractive they still are. Help them to buy some new clothes that make them feel better about themselves
3) Give them personal gifts to pamper them and make them still feel they are important and special.
4) Do thoughtful actions to support them when breastfeeding, like getting up and making them a drink in the night and 'being there' for them. The night time can be lonely when others are asleep. Arrange to take responsibility for the baby at definite times during the day (between feeds), so that the mother can have time and space for herself.
5) Encourage them when they are struggling and arrange the appropriate help and advice that they need. This can be with another mother who has first hand experience in breastfeeding, a midwife or health visitor, a breastfeeding support group such as La Leche, or watching helpful breastfeeding videos or DVDs to educate them further.
Many mothers are vulnerable, confused and overwhelmed in the early days after giving birth. If they are given the appropriate reassurance, their confidence and skills can be built up to enable them to succeed at breastfeeding. The supporter has a key part to play!
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. As a district midwife, I 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 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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosemary_Buchan
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment