Milk Matters - Tips - Where To Go For Support

"I highly recommend donating breastmilk. Knowing that breastmilk may help to take these babies out of harms way definitely gave me a feeling of fulfillment."

Kariema (breastmilk donor) - Cape Town

"I am so glad to be a part of donating milk to save premmi babies lives...i will carry on with this in the uk!I am proud to be among the first to donate from Hermanus!"

Melissa, donor mom - Hermanus, South Africa

“I am a registered midwife and nursing sister. I have worked at the neonatal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa for the last 18 years.

My son Ashton was delivered by emergency caesarean section at Groote Schuur Hospital. I was only 6months and 4 days pregnancy. Both our lives were in danger and Ashton weighing 990 grams was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Knowing all the complications that could occur to my child was extremely stressful and emotional. This impacted on my ability to produce breast milk for my son.

I knew how important breast milk was and I knew giving formula was not even an option. Providing these babies with breast milk is the single most effective way of preventing life-threatening complications. Fortunately donor breastmilk was available so thankfully Ashton was given the start he deserved.

Ashton is now 5 years old and is a normal, typical boy of his age. Ashton is an example of the miracle of milk, love and prayers.

I will forever be indebted and thankful to all the mothers who donated breast milk to Ashton."

Lucile (Recipeint baby's mother & Neonatal ICU sister) - Cape Town

" I am so thankful that my babies got the best by receiving donor milk, and that I was given a bit of leeway to get my own milk going without too much stress. My twins are four months old now and still breastfeeding."

Cathy S (breastmilk recipient) Cape Town

Milk Matters

Tips for Where to Go for Support

General Breastfeeding Tips

Preparing for your Baby's Birth

Your Newborn Baby

Potential Breastfeeding Problems

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.

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