15-8-2008 - breastfeeding 101

My mood while writing this blog: content

Wednesday I went to free breastfeeding seminar at Papoose which is a "breastfeeding, natural bebe and parenting store" (their slogan). The class was just fabulous. The woman who was the speaker is an international board certified lactation consultant. She explained the differences between breastfed babies and formula fed babies. We also talked about what to expect right from the moment the baby is born up through the time when mom may return to work. And why some moms give up trying to breastfeed. Followed by breastfeeding techniques for holding the baby, getting the baby to latch, and expressing milk by compression.

We also watched a very good video called "Follow me mum" which is an Australian film on breastfeeding. It showed over and over the techniques for getting your baby to latch on properly. The lactation specialist said if you don't get the concept of latching then breastfeeding is going to be very uncomfortable and discouraging. She said breastfeeding is a learned skill for moms, but for babies they come out wanting to suckle they just need the cue from mum to be successful! I learned a lot at this seminar, I just hope when Anthony comes that I can proper execute all that I learned.