"I LOVE donating milk, especially since I have far too much of it, and love knowing I can give other babies a nutritious start in life"
Dena F. (breastmilk donor) - Noordhoek
"The incredible experience of Gabi’s premature birth gave us the unexpected opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of others by donating breastmilk."
Terri (breastmilk donor) Cape Town
"Being able to donate breast milk to those little precious premies is something I hope to be able to do for as long as possible."
Helene (breastmilk donor) Moullie Point
"After work, I’d dash for the train so I could get home to put the milk in the fridge. I felt I was carrying a scarce resource that I had to guard with my life."
Nwabisa (donor mother) - Pinelands
Tips for Where to Go for Support
General Breastfeeding Tips
Preparing for your Baby's Birth
Your Newborn Baby
Potential Breastfeeding Problems
Where to go for suport
Listening To Advice
Don't argue when you receive poor advice, just agree and do it your way anyhow.
While pregnant you have probably noticed how others love to tell you about their pregnancies, mostly the negative experiences. Breastfeeding is much the same; everyone has had a 'problem' like yours and knows how to resolve it. The difficulty is that you have to differentiate between the good and the poor advice. Unfortunately even health workers don't always offer good advice.
My suggestion is that you decide on the person - family, friend or health worker - who you trust and listen to him or her only.
Clinic Visits
Well Baby Clinics offer both practical and moral support. Speaking to and comparing notes with other mothers is excellent therapy. Should you live in a centre with no Well Baby Clinics contact your closest qualified Lactation Consultant. (See list)
A Lactation Consultant
Many years of experience in caring for breastfeeding families, is required before one can qualify to write the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam. To maintain her qualification an IBCLC is required to gain additional experience and knowledge, before re-qualifying every 5 years.
In the absence of a Well Baby Clinic or Lactation Consultant you could phone for support and assistance from organisations such as La Leche League and the Breastfeedinig Association.
(See useful contacts page for help phone numbers in SA
Mother-Support-Groups
Mother support groups can offer good company, support, reassurance and education to new moms. Find out from your local clinic about joining a mother-support group in your area.
If there isn't one, why not invite mothers from your birth education classes, who you were in hospital with or who you have met at the clinic, to your home. You could meet at different homes, invite speakers or make use of the talents amongst the group.
