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Jerome O'Connell, 28 Sep
NATIONAL Breastfeeding Week runs from September 30 to October 6. The
benefits of breastfeeding are both immediate and lifelong – it provides
on-tap nutrition as and when a baby needs it and creates the building
blocks of brain development and immunity that will carry your child
through life.
The fact that something is natural doesn’t mean that it comes naturally
or is easy and breastfeeding is no exception. It takes practice and
persistence and, more importantly, it takes support. If your partner,
friend or relative is breastfeeding, there are a few things that you
can do to make things a little easier for her. Some of these tips are
also worth bearing in mind when you’re sitting beside a breast-feeding
mom in a café. Sometimes all she might need is an understanding smile
or a nod (rather than the downcast eye because you think looking in her
direction could be perceived as creepy or rude!).
It’s worth having a discussion before the baby arrives about what the
expectations are. If your partner intends to breastfeed, she will be
doing all the night feeds to begin with so talk about what you can do.
By bathing baby every evening, for example, you will have some
one-on-one time with them and your partner can take a nap. Plans made
in advance usually run more smoothly than those made during periods of
major changes and sleep deprivation! After baby has fed, if they needs
to be winded or changed, that could be where you offer to step in.
Never under-estimate the value of doing what seems like a mundane task
or enabling your partner to have free hands, even if only for a few
minutes. Acknowledge that it’s a tough job but she’s doing it
brilliantly. It may seem like a moot point but when you’re bleary-eyed
from tiredness and your body feels like it belongs to someone else, the
smallest amount of praise can really spur you on.
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Have a think about the physical things you can stay on top of for your
partner or friend too. Keep her topped up with fresh water (think
hangover thirst on a hot day – that’s how much hydration a
breastfeeding mom requires), healthy snacks, comfortable pillows and
within reach of TV remotes, books etc. Look up what you don’t
understand – a quick google search can often yield a new insight when
you or your partner are feeling a little overwhelmed.
Breastfeeding might all be new to you but the payoff is tremendous so
invest some time and thought into supporting its ongoing success. For
quality-assured information on breastfeeding go to
www.breastfeeding.ie.
We’re Breastfeeding Friendly Limerick is being relaunched on Sunday,
September 29 in Kilmallock Library. Join us from 1pm to 3pm for this
family friendly event that will see the opening of an art exhibition
created by Limerick mums.
Speakers on the day include Mayor of Limerick John Moran and Deirdre
O’Shaughnessy, news editor with the Irish Examiner.
This article was contributed by a member of Parenting Limerick.
Parenting Limerick is a network of parenting and family support
organisations. For more information on this and other topics go to
www.loveparenting.ie.