Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a learned skill between you and your baby, and it should not be painful. Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go to plan and it’s not uncommon for mums to struggle with breastfeeding, particularly initially.

Here are some areas that may need attention:

• Assessing the baby's latch, sucking, and positioning
• Checking the baby for mouth or palatal abnormalities (e.g. tongue ties)
• Ensuring pacifiers use is not interfering with feeding
• Review of any medications such as cold & flu preparations that contain pseudoephedrine and oral contraceptives, that could interfere with supply. Note a lot of medication can still be safely taken while breastfeeding.
• Helping you deal with any issues such as engorgement, blocked ducts, treatment of mastitis, or cracked & bleeding nipples.
• Assisting with expressing breastmilk (e.g., pump, flange size, etc.)
• Checking mammary gland development and hormonal imbalances (e.g. placental fragments)

Although, the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines encourage exclusive breastfeeding it also states that any breastfeeding is beneficial. Therefore, you may decide that mixed feeding is the best option for you and your family.

Breastmilk production relies on demand, and reducing or ceasing breastfeeding will diminish milk supply. This includes introducing partial bottle feeding. Once breastfeeding ceases entirely, re-establishing supply (re-lactation) is possible but challenging and therefore stopping breastfeeding is often irreversible.

Support

So, if you are currently breastfeeding, and need support it is best to get help as soon as possible. Usually, with the right advice, knowledge & on-going support, issues can be resolved. A plan can be put in place to help you with your specific issues and circumstances.

There are a lot of support options for breastfeeding. See our references for a list:

• Pregnancy, Birth & Baby: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/
  A national Australian Government service providing support and information for expecting parents, parents of children from birth to 5 years of age.
  Helpline: 1800 882 436 (7am to midnight, 7 days)
• Australian Breastfeeding Association: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
  Peak body for breastfeeding information, education and support.
  Breastfeeding helpline: 1800 mum 2 mum or 1800 686 268 (24 hours)
• raisingchildren.net.au
  Funded by the Australian Government provides extensive information for expecting parents, up to teenagers.
  Also provides a list of free parenting helplines
  https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/services-support/services-families/helplines
• Tresillian https://www.tresillian.org.au/
  Offers advice, education and guidance to parents of babies and toddlers.
  Services across NSW, Act & Vic
  Helpline: 1300 272 736 (7am to 11pm, 7 days)
• Karitane (NSW) https://karitane.com.au/virtual-breastfeeding-clinic
  Charity providing parenting advice, education and services.
  Careline: 1300 227 464
  There is an online breastfeeding clinic that provides breastfeeding education videos & video consultations.