Save money and give nature's way a chance
TODAY the latest in a network of baby cafes set up to encourage breastfeeding opens in Doncaster. The first weekly session at the Croft Children's Centre in Sheep Dip Lane, Dunscroft, coincides with National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, now in its 16th year.
This year, the week sees the launch of an important new tool in tracking children's health, the new UK-World Health Organisation growth charts which, for the first time, will give accurate information on a baby's growth.
The new charts will replace the current ones that are based predominately on formula-fed babies - who tend to gain weight faster -and are expected to more accurately predict the likelihood of a child becoming obese.
Doncaster now has a network of 19 baby cafes, one of the ways local health professionals are encouraging more mums to breastfeed in a borough that still retains a culture of bottle-feeding.
Doncaster health visitor Christine Crossland explained that breastfeeding has health benefits for both mum and baby - and there are cost savings too in the current economic climate.
She said: "Doncaster currently has a bottle-feeding culture which we are trying to change as there are many health benefits to be gained from breastfeeding.
"Babies have a reduced risk of childhood obesity and of getting eczema and asthma and breastfeeding mums tend to lose the weight they put on during pregnancy much sooner."
The breastfeeding rate is still around 27 per cent below the national average but it is rising, according to local health chiefs.
The theme of National Breastfeeding Awareness Week this year is "Breastfeeding: every day makes a difference to your baby". If you receive help and support - whether it be from a friend or family member, a healthcare professional, or volunteer breastfeeding supporter, you are likely to breastfeed for longer, giving you and your child important health benefits.
In addition to the new growth charts, the Department of Health is extending Breast Buddy, an initiative introduced last year which supports you to breastfeed for longer by encouraging you to nominate a buddy from within your circle of friends and family, who will be able to provide practical and emotional support while you breastfeed.
The Breast Buddy initiative won't replace the advice of healthcare professionals or trained counsellors which you can find through the National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212, but will provide you with valuable emotional and practical support.
Why breastfeed?
* Breastfeeding also allows you and your baby to get closer - physically and emotionally. So while your child is feeding, the bond between you can grow stronger.
* Bottle feeding does not give your baby the same ingredients as breast milk, which is designed to be easy for your baby to absorb and is perfect to help him grow and develop. Bottle feeding doesn't provide protection against infection and diseases.
* Breastfeeding helps protect your baby against ear infections, gastro-intestinal infections, chest infections, urine infections, childhood diabetes, eczema, obesity and asthma.
* Breastfeeding helps protect mothers against ovarian cancer, breast cancer and weak bones later in life.
What position should you use?
* There are lots of different positions for breastfeeding. You just need to check the following:
n Are your baby's head and body in a straight line? If not, your baby might not be able to swallow comfortably.
Are you holding your baby close to you?
* Try to support his back, shoulders and neck. He should be able to tilt his head back easily. And he shouldn't have to reach out to feed.
* Is your baby's nose opposite your nipple? Your baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath the nipple. Placing your baby with his nose level with your nipple will allow him to reach up and attach to the breast well.
Are you comfortable?
* It's OK to change your position slightly once your baby is attached to your breast.
How should you attach your baby to your breast?
* Hold your baby close to you, with his nose level with the nipple.
* Wait until your baby opens his mouth really wide with the tongue down. You can encourage him to do this by gently stroking his top lip.
* Quickly bring your baby even closer to your breast.
* Your baby will tilt his head back and come to your breast chin first. He should take a large mouthful of breast. Your nipple should go towards the roof of his mouth.
Signs that your baby is feeding well
* Your baby has a large mouthful of breast and your baby's chin is touching your breast.
* It doesn't hurt you to feed (after the first few sucks).
* If you can see the dark skin around your nipple, you should see more dark skin above your baby's top lip than below their bottom lip.
* Your baby's cheeks stay rounded during sucking.
* Your baby rhythmically takes long sucks and swallows. It is normal for him to pause sometimes.
* Your baby finishes the feed and comes off the breast on his own.
How do you know that your baby is getting enough milk?
* Your baby will appear content and satisfied after most feeds.
* He should be healthy and gaining weight after the first two weeks.
* Your breasts and nipples should not be sore.
* After the first few days, your baby should have at least six wet nappies a day.
* He should also spass at least two yellow stools every day.
The Baby Cafe at Dunscroft will operate between 12.30pm and 3pm every Thursday. Pat Coddington, consort to chairman of Doncaster Council Paul Coddington, will officially open the cafe today. Cake and refreshments will be served.
It's natural to have questions or need some extra support to breastfeed successfully. You can speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP. Or you can call one of the following helplines: National Breastfeeding Helpline operated by the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and The Breastfeeding Network Tel. 0300 100 0212. La Leche League Tel. 0845 120 2918. National Childbirth Trust Tel. 0870 444 8708.
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Weather for Doncaster
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
