"It has felt good to donate milk and be able to give something to babies who are not so lucky and are not blessed with a mother who can breastfeed them."
Debbie S. (breastmilk donor) - Plumstead
"It was a very rewarding experience knowing that I could make such a difference."
Tracy (breastmilk donor) - Devil's Peak
"It has felt good to donate milk and be able to give something to babies who are not so lucky and are not blessed with a mother who can breastfeed them."
Debbie S. (breastmilk donor) - Plumstead
"When Milk Matters told me that preemies needed just 50ml a day to survive and I was feeding my son breastmilk all day long, I wanted to help and knew I could."
Helen (breastmilk donor) - University Estate
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.
