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Breastfeeding Support
We have several options for breastfeeding support here at Private midwives with many experienced midwives and lactation consultants to help and support you on your breastfeeding journey.
What do we know about the benefits of breast milk?
Breastmilk is a complete food that is designed by nature and is the basis for healthy development.
As we all know Breastfeeding has many benefits to both mothers and babies.
Some of these benefits include:
- Breastfeeding can be convenient, and it is free!
- It can help you bond with your baby.
- It has been shown that women who breastfeed have lower rates of certain diseases.
- Colostrum which is your baby’s first milk boosts your baby’s immune system.
This is why The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of a baby’s life.
Both colostrum and mature breast milk contain millions of good bacteria, nutrients and antibodies which are passed from mum to baby and these benefits can last a lifetime.
Private midwives recognise that breastfeeding is not for everyone, and some mums would choose to formula feed their babies. Whichever way you choose to feed your baby we will be on hand to guide and support you.
Supporting your breastfeeding journey
Finding good support for your breastfeeding journey can be quite difficult depending on where you live and what local resources are available. We know that many new mums feel that there is inadequate help and support available to help them with their early feeding experience. Without good support your breastfeeding journey can be hampered by incorrect positioning and latching, which can then lead to sore, cracked, and damaged nipples, a baby that does not gain weight, and a stressful time for both mum and baby. This can lead to a baby that is unsettled and a mum who feels like she is failing.
Many mothers who go through this experience give up breastfeeding as they worry that they are not enough for their baby.
Babies actually only need tiny amounts of breast milk in the early days as their tummy is only the size of a cherry on day 1.
Our midwives here at Private Midwives, know that breastfeeding takes time and patience, and needs lots of support, encouragement, advice, and information. We understand that those early feeds are essential for mums and baby alike and we will be on hand to help provide a solid foundation to build a successful breast-feeding experience . We understand that getting these first feeds right with helping with positioning and ensuring the latch is right can make all the difference to yours and your baby’s feeding experience.
Antenatal Education
A successful breast-feeding story often starts with good preparation and antenatal education.
We offer information as part of our Parent Education programmes which can be accessed online or in person. Alternatively, we can offer a single virtual or face to face appointment focussing on everything you need to know about how to successfully breastfeed.
Understanding how things work and just how little babies actually need in those early days can be a huge benefit to new mums who are often anxious and worry that they will not be enough for their baby.
Antenatal Colostrum Harvesting
Colostrum is a thick, creamy, yellow substance. As mentioned before it is rich in antibodies and nutrients and can be expressed from your breasts during the few weeks before birth. It can then be frozen in readiness for the new arrival. Our midwives can assist you in learning how to hand express and harvest your own colostrum.
This is not essential, but if you decide to do this, it means you have some of your own milk on hand and ready in case it is needed.
Some babies can be reluctant to feed, need additional calories - perhaps because of medical conditions or are unable to feed direct from their mum if she is unwell after birth for example. If a mum has had a complex birth, it may be that milk production is slightly delayed. Having frozen colostrum on hand can be useful in these situations.
We offer the option of colostrum harvesting to all clients in our care. If you are not currently our client, you can book a single appointment (£175 or €200) and we can come to your home and show you how to do this. Appointments typically last 1-2hrs and include a full antenatal check. Please see our colostrum harvesting page for further information on colostrum collection
Things to consider immediately after the birth to enable a successful breast feeding journey.
Skin to skin contact with your baby as soon as possible after birth is an amazing stimulus for breast milk production. Having your own private midwife with you for birth, be that at a home birth or working alongside hospital staff, can ensure this time is respected and protected.
Personalised Post Natal care
We offer postnatal care in your own home where appointments are unhurried, relaxed, and focused on your individual needs and priorities. For many, this focus is establishing breast feeding. All of our midwives are trained to support breast feeding, detect any developing problems and provide guidance and support. We also have a network of lactation consultants who can come up with good ideas, suggested feeding plans, tips and ideas if needed.
Your midwife is available in-between appointments for additional advice and support. You can book postnatal care for up to a maximum or 6 weeks if you wish – so we can make sure you are confident and happy before we wave good bye.
Enhanced Breastfeeding Support
For those wanting additional, intensive support, we offer an enhanced breast-feeding package. This gives you daily visits from your midwife for 7 consecutive days. Each visit lasts approx 2hrs or more, and at each appointment you will be given all the tool you need to feed your baby successfully.
You can book this package in advance or upgrade your postnatal care once baby arrives. Your midwife is on hand every days in person and when she is not physically with you, you can still call her or message her if you are worried and she can come back to you if needed.
We have lots of breast-feeding resources in our resource library
99%
Choose to Breastfeed
99% of mums in our care choose to breastfeed
98%
Breastfeeding at Discharge
98% of mums in our care are still breastfeeding at discharge
More On Postnatal Care
Client Information Booklet
If you would like to know more information of what you can expect from us before making a booking please have a look at our client information booklet
See the Resource Library
Take a look at our resource library for guides on planning your birth, antenatal & postnatal plans of care, water births and much more.
Private Midwives Awards
We have been awarded the Winner of the Best Midwifery Service 2024 at the M&A Today Globabl Awards
We're also delighted to have been announced as the winner in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category at the Gamechangers Progress Champion Awards 2023 for both the UK and Ireland.
Thanks to all our midwives, office staff, our clients, our voters and nominators. We couldn't do any of this without you.
Work With Us:
Midwives: Work With Us
NHS: NHS Trusts
Telephone:
UK: 0800 3800 579
R.O.I 1800 937 119
Email:
info@privatemidwives.com
Copyright © 2021 Private Midwives
The Heath Business Centre, Runcorn, WA7 4QX
Website development by Arise Media
Copyright © 2021 Private Midwives
The Heath Business Centre,
Runcorn, WA7 4QX
Website development by Arise Media