INFANT FEEDING RESOURCES
When it comes to infant feeding advice, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and encounter conflicting information. I've gathered some of my favourite resources that I believe you'll find helpful.
HELPLINES
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212
NCT Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 330 0771
La Leche League Helpline: 0845 120 2918
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300 330 5453
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT SERVICES
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
ABM is a voluntary breastfeeding organisation and offer a free counselling service. The ABM are supportive of antenatal expression for all women. The charity sells a printable pdf leaflet that would be extremely beneficial for health professionals carrying out antenatal contacts where they can discuss antenatal expression with the mother. The ABM also have free downloadable breastfeeding resources containing lesson plans for teaching children in school to contribute to the ‘renormalisation’ of breastfeeding in the U.K.
( Spanish for "the milk") is a non-governmental, nonprofit organisation that aims to provide mother-to-mother breastfeeding support. La Leche League encourages antenatal expression.
La Leche are currently offering FREE practical and interactive 3-4 hour antenatal courses online.
Excellent breastfeeding resources and up to advice and guidance
The Breastfeeding Network has a useful resource Drugs in breastmilk for mothers and professionals on guidance and safety of medication. Email or send a message via their Facebook page if you have a query.
OTHER
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Gestational diabetes, a temporary condition, refers to elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels that emerge during pregnancy and typically resolve after childbirth. This condition may manifest at any point during pregnancy, though it's more prevalent in the second or third trimester. It occurs when your body struggles to produce an adequate amount of insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, to meet the increased demands of pregnancy. While gestational diabetes can pose challenges for both you and your baby during pregnancy and after delivery, early detection and effective management can significantly mitigate associated risks.
Gestational Diabetes UK recommends antenatal colostrum expression for mothers with GD. The Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing (DAME) Trial found that women with GD who expressed their colostrum in pregnancy, their babies were more likely to have only breast milk without supplementing whilst in hospital.
MILK BANKS
As both a mother and an aunt of babies who have received both short-term and long-term donor milk, I cannot emphasise enough how valuable this resource is. Donor milk is a lifeline, especially for premature infants or those with special needs, as well as parents who, for various reasons, cannot breastfeed. It ensures that babies can still reap the benefits of breast milk. Milk banks are continually in need of new donors, making a significant difference in the lives of these little ones.
Tongue-tie, medically known as Ankyloglossia, occurs when there is a short or tight membrane beneath the tongue, called the lingual frenulum. When this membrane attaches near or at the tip of the tongue, it can give the tongue a blunt, forked, or heart-shaped appearance. However, when the attachment point is farther back, the tongue may appear normal.
Research indicates that approximately 1 in 10 infants may be born with some form of restrictive membrane beneath the tongue. However, only about half of these babies exhibit significantly reduced tongue function, which can make breastfeeding or bottle-feeding challenging. For these infants, treatment to release the restriction of the lingual frenulum can be beneficial, enabling effective feeding.