Tips On Breastfeeding
With breastfeeding advisor Vicki Scott from Philips Avent.
Step 1: Introduction
Man 1: The results of a new feeding habits survey has revealed that mothers are more likely to breast feed their babies than new moms 5 years ago. That’s despite the fact that moms are more worried about breast-feeding in public than ever. Now with me is Vicki Scott, baby feeding and well-being advisor for Philips AVENT, who conducted the survey. Vicki, first of all, why are more women breast-feeding?
Step 2: Benefits of Breastfeeding
Vicki: I think one of the reasons is that the benefits of breast-feeding are just becoming so much more widely known now. Lots of research has come out in the last 10 years or so that just really promotes breast-feeding and lots of moms are picking up on that now, which is fantastic.
Step 3: Breastfeeding in Public
Man 1: So why are they actually concerned about breast-feeding in public? Vicki: I think partly because it’s such a new skill. It just takes a few weeks to get established anyway. So, you know, when you do first go out in public, and you’re breast-feeding publicly, it’s such a new thing to be doing so it takes them a while to get used to it. Also, public perceptions as well. I think that can make moms feel uncomfortable. It’s not as socially acceptable, or accepted, as it could be really, but I think the more moms that get out there and do it, and certainly there are lots of places now where breast-feeding is easier to do and to feel comfortable doing, which is a great thing.
Step 4: Breastfeeding Problems
Man 1: How should moms cope when babies breast-feed one day but then refuse to feed the next? Vicki: Yeah, that can happen for a few different reasons. Like, maybe the baby is teething or there is a fresh infection that can cause it to be uncomfortable for the baby when they’re feeding. Also, maybe the mom has eaten something the day before that’s made the milk taste strange to the baby and that puts them off. But I think definitely, just again, try and sort of be relaxed about it. Encourage the baby to feed, but if not, certainly expressing milk or using some milk that you’ve got from the freezer, that if you’ve maybe if expressed and frozen that before, get over the strange tasting milk anyway.
Step 5: Babies Who Feed Every 1 or 2 Hours
Man 1: We hear about some moms whose babies want feed every 1 or 2 hours. How should they go about coping with this? Vicki: It’s really important anyway that in the first week or so the mom lets the baby feed really frequently. It’s so important for building up a good milk supply and really getting breast-feeding established. But after that, I think some babies do like to snack and then have a little sleep and then have another snack an hour later, and I think moms can maybe keep their babies awake as much as they can, you know, for half an hour or so at least, maybe an hour and encourage babies to take a good feed. then that’s quite likely to help the feeds spread out a little bit.
Step 6: Parents Appetite
Man 1: Now that’s the babies feeding, but what about the parents feeding? Do the moms tend to eat more while they’re breast-feeding? Vicki: There is a tendency to have a better appetite because breast-feeding uses up about 500 calories a day at least, so it’s quite normal to feel more hungry. So a mom should definitely give in to that need for an extra few snacks a day. Definitely.
Step 7: Should it be Painful?
Man 1: And should it hurt when the milk is coming down? Vicki: It can do, but only in a really small number of women in my experience. Let down often just feels like a sort of tingling or pressure, but some women have felt it really quite strongly and have even gone so far as to say it’s painful. But that doesn’t always carry on for the whole of breast-feeding. So, it’s possible that it could hurt a little bit.
Step 8: Adequate Support for Mums?
Man 1: Do you think there’s actually adequate support for moms who wish to breast-feed? Vicki: There is a lot of support, but I think part of the problem is that moms find it difficult to locate the support. You have to really go looking and ask the midwife and health visitors maybe what is provided in your area, and have a look at different voluntary groups for breast-feeding support as well. So there is lots of help out there but it’s a case of how moms can find it. There are lots of fantastically motivated midwives and breast-feeding counselors out there, but moms can also maybe do some reading around on the subject in maybe a couple of books they can read up on, and maybe even have a look at the DVD. Philips AVENT produced a new DVD that shows the mom breast-feeding and expressing, talks about some of the issues involved, and there’s even information on weaning and sleeping in there as well, as well as how to use all the equipment.
Step 9: Subsequent Children
Man 1: Do you think that breast-feeding also gets more difficult with subsequent children? Vicki: I would say in a majority of cases it’s actually easier because the mom has got that experience of having breast fed the first baby, and that’s so important for helping her to feel confident. Also the body has done it before, so I’d say for most women it’s a whole lot easier the second time around. But each baby is different, so some moms on the second baby do find it trickier, but that’s less likely.
Step 10: Final Advice
Man 1: Finally one just general piece of advice you would give to a new mom about starting breast-feeding, considering starting breast-feeding. What would you say to them? Vicki: What would I say? Go for it, and it can take a couple of weeks. It’s a new skill to learn after all, so expect it to take a couple of weeks to really get that established. And just feel confident. You can produce a lovely baby, why shouldn’t you be able to breast feed it as well?
Man 1: Vicki, thank you very much indeed.Vicki: You’re welcome. Man 1: Having a new baby can be a steep learning curve for many new parents so hopefully this has answered a few questions and made your life just a little bit easier.
