Breastfeeding Matters by La Leche League GB – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode by La Leche League LLLGB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova welcome Zainab Yate, infant feeding research ethics expert and campaigner, to explore the negative emotions that could arise when providing milk for your child.

Zainab has been a breastfeeding peer supporter with the NHS for a number of years and is author of the only resource site for mothers and healthcare practitioners on aversion (www.breastfeedingaversion.com), where she researches and writes about aversion and why it arises.

Zainab published the first study looking at breastfeeding/nursing aversion and agitation in 2017.

Zainab’s book When Breastfeeding Sucks is available from LLLGB Book Shop.

In modern society breastfeeding is often used – problematically – to exemplify myths about motherhood and maternal love, and is bound up with ideas of what makes a ‘good mother’.

In this context nursing aversion and agitation – intense, distressing feelings that are experienced by the mother during nursing – can be both unexpected and hugely upsetting, particularly if one has already overcome significant challenges in order to breastfeed.

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed.

LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding.

The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk

Additional Resources:

https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/

https://laleche.org.uk/bf-postnatal-depression/

www.breastfeedingaversion.com

https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p237/WhenBreastfeedingSucks.html

In this episode by La Leche League (LLL) GB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova talk about the arrival of a new baby in the family: feelings, practicalities, challenges and insights.

The episode focuses on that first latch, things to look out for to know that baby is feeding well, support that may be needed to get you off to a good start and meeting the mother’s needs.

Breastfeeding is about so much more than nutrition - it’s an emotional connection and a way of mothering. The support the nursing parent receives right from the start will have direct impact on their recovery and enable them to focus on the baby and master feeding their baby.

We invite you to join our free interactive online antenatal breastfeeding courses with your support partner to learn about the physiology of lactation and discuss the emotional and practical aspects of early parenthood.

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed.

LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk

For more information on preparing to breastfeed and beginning breastfeeding:

https://laleche.org.uk/antenatal-courses/

https://laleche.org.uk/beginning-breastfeeding/

https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/

https://laleche.org.uk/how-milk-production-works/

https://laleche.org.uk/comfortable-breastfeeding/

https://laleche.org.uk/is-my-baby-getting-enough-milk/

https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/is-your-baby-getting-enough-milk/

https://laleche.org.uk/supporting-a-breastfeeding-mother/

https://laleche.org.uk/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/

https://laleche.org.uk/find-lll-support-group/

LLL is a charity that offers mother-to-mother and parent-to-parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now backed up by the latest scientific

In this episode by La Leche League LLLGB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova welcome Sarah Ojar to explore breastfeeding and Down Syndrome.

Sarah Ojar has been a breastfeeding peer supporter with the Breastfeeding Network since 2016 and has been volunteering on the National Breastfeeding Helpline since 2021.

In 2022 Positive About Down Syndrome (PADS) appointed her as their Breastfeeding Coordinator.

As well as supporting mothers and parents of babies with Down syndrome with their feeding journeys, Sarah is keen to collaborate with relevant bodies both in the public and private sector to improve support. PADS has developed a training module specifically around breastfeeding babies with Down syndrome. For further information please email

sarah.ojar@downsyndromeuk.co.uk

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding and sleep support and information is needed.  

LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk

For more information on breastfeeding and Down Syndrome see:

www.downsyndromeuk.co.uk

www.positiveaboutdownsyndrome.co.uk

A Guide to Breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome:

 https://www.downsyndromeuk.co.uk/docs/Health/12294%20DSUK%20A%20Guide%20To%20Breastfeeding-PRINT.pdf

The Report on Maternity experiences of breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome:

https://downsyndromeuk.co.uk/docs/Maternity/12112%20PADS%20Breastfeeding%20Report_Oct2022.pdf#:~:text=PADS%20publication%20'The%20Lived%20Experience,signposting%20them%20to%20further%20information.

In this episode by La Leche League (LLLGB), volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova explore self-care and the transformative process of parenthood with mothers who regularly attend LLL meetings in person and online.

The episode offers an insight into an LLL meeting, where supportive and nurturing environment is created by LLL breastfeeding counsellors for families to discuss their day-to-day feeding and parenting concerns.

A wide spectrum of feelings that come up on our parenting journey, incredible ability of our bodies to heal, the importance of support networks, changing needs of our babies and children and creative and gentle ways mothers can care for themselves when in the thick of parenting are some of the topics discussed in the episode.

We invite you to ask yourself some of the questions discussed in the episode:

How do you acknowledge your own needs each day, week and month?

If you had an hour to yourself, how would you spend it?

What have you learned about yourself and what’s important to you since becoming a parent?

How do you negotiate and protect yourself from the overwhelming volume of information and advice available online?

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and our listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding and sleep support and information is needed.

LLL GB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding.

The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk

For more information on adjusting to motherhood and practical tips for the early weeks and beyond see:

https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/

https://laleche.org.uk/rhythms-and-routines/

https://laleche.org.uk/out-about-with-your-breastfed-baby/

https://laleche.org.uk/exercise-and-breastfeeding/

www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/exercise/

In this episode by La Leche League (LLL) GB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova explore your baby’s behaviour at breast beyond the newborn weeks.

The episode discusses breastfeeding as the very first relationship your baby develops and as a readily accessible parenting tool. 

Distractibility, teething, separation anxiety are all on the agenda for that fast-growing baby.

Breastfeeding is about so much more than nutrition - it’s an emotional connection and a way of mothering.

As your baby grows, setting limits and self-care, as well as support and understanding from others, can help each mother find the balance that is right for them and ensure that nursing continues in a positive way for the dyad.

This episode walks you through the stages of breastfeeding behaviour from 8 weeks and beyond a year.

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding and sleep support and information is needed.

LLL GB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk

For more information on typical

behaviour beyond the early weeks see:

https://laleche.org.uk/what-happens-at-four-months/

https://laleche.org.uk/still-nursing/

https://laleche.org.uk/dont-enjoy-breastfeeding/

https://laleche.org.uk/exercise-and-breastfeeding/

https://laleche.org.uk/help-baby-bit/

https://llli.org/news/setting-limits-when-breastfeeding/

https://breastfeeding.support/what-is-a-fast-let-down/

Books:

“The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read” by Philippa Perry

“How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish 

In this episode by La Leche League (LLL)GB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova discuss the pressing and sensitive subject for many families, Infant Sleep, with Dr Helen Ball, one of LLLGB’s professional advisors.

Dr Ball’s work focuses on conducting and translation of academic research on infant sleep into evidence for use by parents and healthcare staff via Basis-- the Baby Sleep Information Source website. She serves as Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health, and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Human Lactation. She is Chair of the Lullaby Trust Scientific Committee, and an elected Board Member of the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Deaths (ISPID). In 2013 Helen received an award for Outstanding Impact in Society from the Economic and Social Research Council, and in 2018 Durham University was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for her research and outreach on parent-infant sleep.

The episode discusses sleep in the context of infants’ normal development and needs as well as from the social and cultural perspective.

It examines latest Public Health Guidelines pertaining to safe bed-sharing and offers support to parents coping with their infant’s and their own sleep needs in the modern world.

The discussion aims to empower and support families wishing to maintain responsive breastfeeding overnight while getting as much rest as possible and looks at how our biology supports this.

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding and sleep support and information is needed.

LLL GB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk

For more information on Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre and Basis please visit:

https://www.basisonline.org.uk

Sweet Sleep book by LLLGB mentioned by Sarah in the episode:

https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p89/SweetSleep.html

Further resources on infant sleep from LLLGB:

https://laleche.org.uk/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/

https://laleche.org.uk/supporting-families-sleep/

https://laleche.org.uk/sleep-breastfed-baby/

https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-at-night/

https://laleche.org.uk/i-need-some-sleep/

https://laleche.org.uk/bedsharing-breastfeeding-risk-sids/

https://laleche.org.uk/letting-babies-cry-facts-behind-studies/

In this episode by La Leche League (LLL)GB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova discuss one of the major barriers to breastfeeding - pain. Whilst there are a number of reasons why breastfeeding might hurt, by far the most common is poor attachment at the breast leading to subsequent nipple damage. This episode explores the support that is needed when breastfeeding hurts and the emotions a mother may feel when seeking resolution. A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk For more information on what to do if breastfeeding hurts please see the articles below: https://laleche.org.uk/nipple-pain/

https://laleche.org.uk/positioning-attachment/

https://laleche.org.uk/comfortable-breastfeeding/

https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-and-teething/https://laleche.org.uk/help-baby-bit/

https://laleche.org.uk/pregnant-and-breastfeeding/

https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-and-autism/

https://laleche.org.uk/thrush/

https://laleche.org.uk/tongue-tie/

In this special edition episode by La Leche League GB (LLLGB), volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova explore the important stage of introducing solid foods to our babies and subsequently communicating to our children why eating varied and nutritious food is important for our health.

Since the beginning LLL has been guided by their philosophy which is defined by 10 concepts.

One of these concepts says 'good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible'.

In this episode we discuss this concept and how to make it work in the food environment we live in with Chris van Tulleken, a doctor, academic and broadcaster. Chris grew up in London and trained in medicine at Oxford University, specialising in infectious disease and tropical medicine. He has a PhD in molecular virology from University College London where he is currently an Associate Professor in the division of Infection and Immunity. Chris is one of the BBC's leading science presenters. In 2018 Chris investigated the impact ultra-processed foods have on our children, in 'What Are We Feeding Our Kids?' for BBC One. His research led to his latest book Ultra Processed People, subtitled 'Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn't Food... and Why Can't We Stop?'.

His book highlights that we are living in a food environment that makes good nutrition nigh-on impossible. The book says it is about 'The right to know what we eat and what it does to our bodies and the right to good, affordable food.'

A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed.

LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.

Episode Notes:

For breastfeeding support and information please visit:

La Leche League GB - Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards For more information on introducing solids see the following resources: https://laleche.org.uk/starting-solid-food/

https://www.firststepsnutrition.org/eating-well-resources

https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/starting-solids/

In the second episode by La Leche League (LLL) GB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova discuss how breastfeeding can be enhanced by the loving support of the baby’s father, co-parent, a partner and/or close family members who value the nursing relationship. They shine the light on how families may feel about breastfeeding, how children build important relationships with other adults in their lives and how they can help the mother practice self-care when her baby has an intense need for her. A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLL GB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.