I came across this fantastic new  book that I want to share with you all.  Breastfeeders Anonymous is a light-hearted, informative and easy-to-read book. It’s not a DIY Guide to Breastfeeding (although there is a chapter on the ‘Mechanics of Breastfeeding); it’s a support group in a book, in which a number of mums relate the good, bad and ugly of breastfeeding.

I also had a chance to chat to the author Rachael Blair, who saw an information gap out there for breastfeeding mums and set out to write her own.

"There’s a lot of how-to books and a few anecdotal ones, but not many that combine expert information with the personal experience of real mums", she said.

"I’m a stay-at-home-mum/ ex-teacher/ freelance writer who is really passionate about breastfeeding and wanted other mums to be able to enjoy good breastfeeding relationships with their babies. I have two beautiful boys, both of whom were breastfed (one still is).'’

Sounds good to me and just what we are about at Mum Knows Breast! Check it out at www.breastfeedersanonymous.com.

gillygirl :: Sep.26.2007 :: breastfeeding stories, Product Reviews, breastfeeding support :: No Comments »

Came across this interesting article on Brisbane times about a new study that found long term breastfeeding doesn’t prevent asthma and other allergies as previously thought.  The article even subtly suggests a link between breastfeeding and a rise in asthma. What’s your view?

See what you think of the article Breastfeeding Doesn’t Help Asthma.

gillygirl :: Sep.17.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: 3 Comments »

I came across this article today and thought that I would post it - I am not sure that I agree with it but it is interesting nonetheless - let me know what you think…

www.webmd.com/parenting/having-a-beer-to-nurse

madmadmummy :: Aug.24.2007 :: Useful Links, breastfeeding stories :: 1 Comment »

I have 2 boys - born in January 2002 and December 2003 - and I had post natal depression with both of them.

I was incredibly lucky - both boys were born wanting to feed, and we had no problems in that area.

DS1 had silent reflux and screamed constantly.  It was diagnosed when he was 3 months old & he was put on medication.  I kept feeding.  Most of this was due to laziness - I couldn’t be bothered with bottles & formula, and we didn’t have the money for it!  Thankfully, my doctors put me on anti depressants that could be taken while breastfeeding.  He weaned himself when he was 19 months old and I was 5 months pregnant with DS2.

When DS2 was about 6 weeks old, I was admitted to hospital with depression.  Again I was lucky - I refused to wean and was again put on medication that was safe to take while breastfeeding.  DS2 weaned himself at 22 months (I was hoping we’d get to 2 years!).

I did have a doctor who informed me that if I wean DS1 I would be cured of my PND!!!  DS1 was 11 months old - and I stopped seeing him.

I think that breastfeeding helped with my PND.  I meant I had something to do with my baby, and gave me a feeling that no matter what else I hadn’t done in a day, at least I had fed my baby.  Otherwise it would have been too easy for me to hand them over to someone else to look after and hide away from the world.

I know that it’s not for everyone, but I hope my story may help someone

missiek :: Jun.13.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: 1 Comment »

Mum Knows Breast is currently running a great competition (see our welcome page for more info) and all you need to is become a member and post a blog here about your best breastfeeding advice or tip for new mums.

Looking forward to lots of great advice on the blog soon! My best advice would have to be - prepare for sore nipples initially and stock up on the Lansinoh nipple cream which is heaven for sore nipples. It will get you through the early weeks before your nipples toughen up.

Share the word to all your friends and help other mums with your words of wisdom.

gillygirl :: May.11.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: 2 Comments »

As founder of the breastfeeding support group, I thought I’d better share my experience.

I have breastfed both my boys and found the experience to be totally different with each! Both times in the first few weeks I had sore nipples and had to learn to attach properly.

I remember the first night home with my son was terrible. He screamed all night and I just couldn’t attach as my nipples were cracked and sore. I remember being in tears the next day when the midwife from the hospital visited. The midwife was fantastic and really got me on the right track and I was able to him successfully feed for 7 months. I remember the first 6 weeks as the hardest and then things really did settle down. I returned to work one day a week when my eldest son was 8 weeks old and expressed while at work for 6 months.  He was then weaned at 7 months as I lose a lot of weight while breastfeeding and was unable to continue.

Son number 2, two years later was a whole new ball game! It was easier to get my head around breastfeeding second time but at 3 weeks I was hospitalised for a week with Mastitis! I have never been so sick in my life but continued breastfeeding with a lot of support from a fantastic nurse and lactation consultants at the child health centre. 

Breastfeeding while caring for a two year old was a brand new ball game and my second son was a distracted feeder who often had his best feed at night! I also fed him until 71/2 months when my increased weight loss again kicked in and I was unable to keep up my milk supply.

Even though I fed both boys for 7 months I still felt guilty when they were weaned and it is one of my reasons I would like to support mums to do the best they can and congratulate themselves for breastfeeding for however long they can.

I found it a rewarding and challenging experience and I am so glad I was able to feed my boys for as long as I did as you really do form a bond.

So if you need any tips for cracked nipples, mastitis and entertaining a toddler while breastfeeding - you know who to ask!

gillygirl :: Apr.01.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: 5 Comments »

Ok, so have to admit - am not a breastfeeding mum anymore. But I certainly was when Charley was little!

Because she was a premmie, I couldn’t breastfeed for a while, so I expressed every three hours for months, just waiting for her to be able to breastfeed - I was desperate to. It was almost funny expressing hundreds of mls of milk and see her take only about 20 mls of it a feed! I had an entire dairy farm in my freezer!

When she did finally start, it was very difficult - she was still so little and would get tired very easily when feeding. When I first brought her home, I actually had to set my alarm for feeding times as she wouldn’t even wake up for a feed.

On top of it all, she didn’t sleep very often - still doesn’t - and so I found myself at one of those sleep schools. But once they had observed me breastfeeding, they sent me home with instructions on how to do it properly. A couple of days later, I gave up. I had been through enough trying to get her to breastfeed in the first place - and now to be told I was doing it all wrong was too much. I had lasted 5 months, but was still so upset with myself for throwing in the towel.

I love the idea of this breastfeeding support group. Even though I am not still breastfeeding I am glad to be apart of it and maybe be able to encourage some other mums who are still breastfeeding.

madmadmummy :: Apr.01.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: No Comments »

To get our group started please share your breastfeeding story or experience and save under the category ‘breastfeeding stories’.

Please feel free to share any tips, questions or concerns you might like answered!

gillygirl :: Apr.01.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: 3 Comments »

Breastfeeding can be a sometimes challenging but rewarding experience. This group aims to support mums through their breastfeeding journey with lots of support. Please feel free to ask all your breastfeeding questions here! Bear with us as we get our group started.

gillygirl :: Mar.29.2007 :: breastfeeding stories :: No Comments »