BREASTFEEDING

Firstly, I just want to be brutally honest and say that in the first 2-3 weeks, breastfeeding is really hard. Just be prepared to persist – this is the key! My family friend Alexia told me to just persist whatever comes my way, and it was really great advice because I then knew that I had a few of weeks of breastfeeding bootcamp to get myself through– and I didn’t give up.

Picasso's beautiful painting 'Maternity'

Before I had Lyra, I was quite indifferent to people’s choice when it came to breastfeeding. I always thought it didn’t really matter. I just knew I would breastfeed, and didn’t consider the other option. We have so many different opinions thrown at us, its difficult to know what decision to make, and how beneficial breastfeeding really is in comparison to formula feeding. But I really believe that if you stick as close to nature as possible then you’ll be on the best track. 

Warrior Mother

Having done breastfeeding, I wouldn’t say I was a breastfeeding militant, but I’m definitely less indifferent. I would really recommend it – it’s honestly silly not to do it! There are so many benefits from so many different angles (practically, emotionally, health-wise). And each of these points alone is reason to do it.

• It’s so convenient. You’ll understand this after a month (well, even after a couple of days) of washing, and then sterilising, bottles, and panicking when you forget a bottle on a trip out. How boring. What a hassle. So much easier to have a constant supply of sterile food literally on you all of the time.

• It’s a detox. Breastfeeding for at least a year cuts breast cancer risk by a third. Research has shown that it also reduces the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers too.

• It’s better than anything money can buy for your baby. Well, you can actually buy breast milk, but it’s almost worth its weight in gold. Forget the flash clothes and toys, you yourself will be producing one of the most sought after commodities – and for you, it will be free.

• It can significantly reduce your risk of postpartum depression. In fact, the 'happy' hormones which flood your body whilst breastfeeding have so many emotional benefits for you and your baby. Get high on your own supply. 

• It prevents your periods from returning, which saves much-needed iron in the body after birth, helping your recovery and preventing anaemia.

• It burns calories, lots of calories. You lose a phenomenal amount of weight by doing practically nothing and eating like a horse. A non breastfeeding mother would have to cycle uphill for an hour a day, or swim at least 30 lengths - not quite what you fancy after giving birth. You can just lounge around and enjoy the time with your new baby.

• Breast milk is full of antibodies which protect your baby against illnesses and boosts his/her immune system, which will last throughout childhood and later life. You don't find these at all in formula. If you get ill, your breast milk becomes full of the antibodies the baby needs to fight that same illness you have – its like the perfect medicine.

• It protects your baby against allergies, something which lasts for their whole life.

• It boosts your child’s intelligence. Breastfeeding is linked with higher IQ scores in children.

• It protects your child from obesity in later life.

• It lowers your baby’s risk of SIDS.

The bottom line is that I've discovered from experience that it would be almost criminal not to breastfeed when you have all of this available to you. Hmmm, maybe I have become a militant. 

Armed breastfeeding Sandinista Rebel 

Breastfeeding Problems: 

Painful nipples

As I mentioned, in the beginning it was pretty difficult. My problems were mainly due to it being painful. If you have problems in that department, try using a small amount of Lansinoh nipple cream (available in almost all pharmacies) and not wearing a bra as long as you can bear it. You can also try nipple shields (also widely available). The root cause of painful nipples though is when your baby isn't latched on properly. There are loads of support groups around who will help with this, even if you just visited once. If you don't have that luxury, try YouTube, there's loads of helpful, albeit slightly stuffy, videos on there. Like this one:

Increasing the milk supply

Your baby's early growth spurts will happen around weeks 2, 3 and 6. During these times, almost like clockwork, I suddenly felt like I was feeding around the clock and that she was super cranky and hungry. What's actually happening is that your baby feeds all the time in order to stimulate more breast milk to be produced. Here's my plan of action to get you through the growth spurts. 

1. BE A COUCH POTATO. Get yourself a box set and tuck yourself away for a few days with lots of healthy food.
2. DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS. Drink lots of water. I found that drinking whole milk was good for me, but that might just be a personal thing. Fennel tea is also said to increase milk supply.
3. DON'T FORGET TO EAT. You need a minimun of 1800 calories a day when you're breastfeeding.
4. TIME IT. Feed every two hours, no more no less. This allows the nutrient rich milk to build back up before the next feed.
5. FEED FEED FEED. Offer both breasts at each feed. Massage your breasts as you feed and keep your baby awake by tickling their toes. 
6. KEEP BABY CLOSE. Allow the baby to suckle for as long as they want after feeding (or as long as you can bear it). This makes your body think there's not enough milk, and it will produce more milk for the next time. 
7. PUMP. Using the breast pump for 5 minutes after your baby is finished has the same effect as suckling - it makes your body think that it needs to make more milk for a hungry baby. 

Happy Mum

I hope this is helpful to you. And if you're on the fence about breastfeeding then I hope this post has persuaded you to take the plunge! 

Supermodel Angel Miranda Kerr 

A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS

There are hundreds of what-to-buy sites out there listing everything from toy organisers to video monitors as essential. Whilst there were a few pretty outfits I did 'invest' in (actually turns out to be the complete opposite of 'invest' when your baby grows out of something within a week), I always thought that, to a degree, baby shops and websites take advantage of irrational mums-to-be. Most of these 'must-haves' you can make do without. 

That's not to say that you shouldn't enjoy buying a few luxuries. Like I did, most mum's figure it all out along the way. For example, I now only have 5 baby grows, whereas when Lyra was born I had about 20. Also remember that you're not working to a strict deadline, so if you realise you need something after your baby is born, just get someone to pop to the shops to get it for you. 

So I'm going to list a few things that, whilst not 'essential', I found handy.

Baby Bouncer

A bouncer to comfort your baby

I know these can be controversial, but they are a god-send. The more reclined, cocooning and cushioned chairs are the best ones for newborn babies up until about 4 months - I think it must remind them of being in the womb. Most of them have music and a vibrate function, which really help to get the baby off to sleep. They're great because they just give you that extra bit of help in establishing a sleep routine, and if you don't have family or your other half around that much, they can be great when you just need a bit of a break from carrying him/her. This Bright Starts Cradling Bouncer looks very cosy!

Kari Me

Fast asleep

The Kari Me is a stretchy cotton sling which can hold your baby from birth to 3 years old. It's much easier to carry around than the more structured baby carriers, and it keeps your baby close which is comforting for them. I also have a back problem, but the Kari Me hasn't cause any problems at all. The first time I used it I needed to get some work done and Lyra wouldn't stop crying, but as soon as I wrapped her up in it, she fell asleep. It's just one big piece of material, so you can fold it up in your bag and also use it for breastfeeding if you want to be discreet. 

Room thermometer

Pretty and safe!

This was always one of those things in the baby shops that I walked past and never gave a second thought to. But when I saw this blue flower room thermometer, I thought what-the-hell, it's too pretty not to buy. I've actually found it helpful. I have a tendency to think my baby is at the same temperature as me, so this puts my mind at rest if I'm worried. It's recommended that baby's should sleep in a room that is somewhere between 16 degrees C and 20 degrees C. I normally have the room at 18, and she sleeps through the night. 

Rose Quartz

In no way 'essential', but lovely nevertheless

One of the gifts my mother-in-law gave to me after Lyra was born were these gigantic, glittering crystals. She said that I should place the rose quartz near the cot, and that it supposedly helps the baby to sleep. Rose quartz is the love stone and is thought to strengthen the bond between mother and newborn. I have it on the windowsill behind Lyra's bed so that sunlight comes through, and Lyra sleeps all night and is a calm baby! Whether you believe in the affects or not, its always nice to have beautiful gems around the place. 

Top and Tail Bowl

A good solution for the morning

My mum recommended I get one of these 'top and tail bowls', and they're really not too expensive, so it was definitely worth a buy. You use them to wash the baby without giving them a full bath. You use the middle section for cotton wool, and put soapy water in one side, to wash baby's bottom, and clear water in the other side to wash baby's face. It just makes the whole thing a lot simpler!

Cot Mobile

Hovering elephants

After Lyra was born, I realised that it might be nice to have something hanging above her bed, so that she had something to gaze at in the morning when she woke. Most of the mobiles on the market are either totally bland or totally trailer-trash. But I found this cute wooden elephant mobile in John Lewis, and she absolutely loves watching them gliding through the air. They're bright and fun, and the elephant's bodies contrast with the ears, something that newborn babies would be able to see. 

Voksi Pose

Pick up a penguin

These 'Voksi Pose' (grow-bags) are made from totally natural materials like silk, wool and down which all have thermal properties. They keep the baby so cosy and warm whether you use it in the pram, as a play mat or in the cot. Where I live in Norway is extremely cold, so Lyra sleeps in hers, and it seems to help regulate her temperature during the night. We also take it with us when we go to visit the farms, where it can drop to -20! It's a very handy thing! I've learnt from being in Norway that weather should never stop you from being outside, and the Voksi Scandinavian design is testament to that. They also have really pretty colours and patterns. I have the penguins. 

IS BREAST BEST?

I'm planning on writing a post about breastfeeding, but in the mean time, this documentary is worth watching. Cherry Healey speaks to lots of different women about breast feeding vs. bottle feeding: