Breastfeeding Support Ireland
Having a baby is such an exciting time in our lives, however it also brings about many changes. This is where Cuidiú’s breastfeeding support hopes to help you on your journey.
Starting Your Breastfeeding Journey
Breastfeeding is normal and natural and like all other mammals we are designed to feed our babies. Healthy newborn infants are born with a host of natural reflexes and instincts that help them to breastfeed. As with many new adventures in life accurate information and a good support network can help make our journey an easier and more enjoyable one.
Breastfeeding Help
Cuidiú are here for you, whether your breastfeeding experience is an easy one or throws up more challenges than expected. As part of our organisation we have almost 100 fully qualified voluntary breastfeeding counsellors in Ireland. Our BFC’s offer telephone support and host breastfeeding support groups and coffee mornings throughout the country. Whether it’s for a coffee and a chat or to overcome some hiccups along the way. You can enjoy the company of other mothers with the support of a BFC in attendance.
Preparing to Breastfeed
We love to see and warmly welcome bumps to our groups and coffee mornings. So if you are pregnant and are going to breastfeed it’s the perfect time to attend. It can be very reassuring to meet with and see other mothers breastfeed before your own baby arrives. A qualified breastfeeding counsellor will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Please Note: The breastfeeding information on this website relates to full term healthy infants. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and you should always consult your medical practitioners in relation to your own circumstances.
Breastfeeding FAQs
Everything from why breastfeed, alternative methods and answers to many of the questions you may have in the early days of your breastfeeding journey right through to navigating a return to work
Will it hurt?
It shouldn’t, and if it does, something is not quite right. In the first week it is normal to feel slightly uncomfortable at the start of a feed as the collagen fibres are being stretched, but continuous pain throughout a feed is not part of the normal course of breastfeeding. If you are finding feeding to be painful, and your nipples are becoming cracked or sore, seek help immediately from the hospital lactation consultant or contact your Cuidiú Breastfeeding Counsellor. All that may be needed is a slight adjustment of positioning and attachment.
How do I position my baby?
There is no right or wrong answer to this one. Once it feels right (not sore) and baby takes the breast deeply and comfortably, with no issues of milk transfer (baby is getting the milk well and is growing and gaining) this is the ‘right’ position for you and your baby. See link provided for information on Biological Nurturing, also known as Laid Back Breastfeeding: Biological Nurturing / Laid Back Breastfeeding
How will I know if my baby is getting enough milk?
Once your baby latches on well (no issues with milk transfer) and feeds well, is growing and gaining, is fed on cue – not by the clock, and has a good nappy output. You can rest assured as breastfeeding is most likely going great for you both. In the early weeks of breastfeeding you can expect on average 3-4 dirty and 5-6 wet nappies per day. From 6 weeks (approx) onwards stooling frequency may decrease.
Some breastfed babies may go as long as a week before having a bowel movement which is not a concern once baby is growing and gaining. See links provided for more information:
How often should I feed my baby?
It shouldn’t. If anything breastfeeding should bring you freedom, as breastfed babies are very portable. You can dash off out armed only with a few nappies, never having to worry about running out of supplies, making up or heating bottles, sterilising, or worrying if the water is safe. Human milk is economical, always sterile, always the right temperature and always ‘on tap’ – you are all your baby needs.
Will breastfeeding tie me down?
You can never breastfeed your baby too often, but you can feed him too little. Feed your baby on cue and not by the clock. On average a breastfed baby may feed anything from 8-12 times per day – this varies slightly from baby to baby. When going through a growth spurt expect your baby to feed more often.
Many babies clusterfeed (when babies space feedings closer together ) which is most common in the evening time. This is normal and does not mean that you do not have enough milk to fully sustain your baby. Trust in your body and your baby. Try not to worry about routines, follow your baby’s lead. See links provided for more information :
My baby wants to be in my arms all the time, is this normal?
Yes! Your baby has been snuggled inside you for the last 9 months and still believes he is part of you, it’s his survival instincts kicking in when you try to put him down and he protests. When he’s in your arms he can hear the familiar sound of your heartbeat, your smell, your voice, which is reassuring and comforting to him.
See link provided for a beautifully written letter by Imogen O’Reilly ( Alternative Mama) to all mothers who worry that their babies are spending too much time in their arms: Hold your Baby – Imogen O’Reilly
What about dad?
There are lots of things dad can do with baby. Some of which include – spending skin to skin time together, wearing baby in a sling, nappy changing and bath time. It is a myth that dad’s needs to feed baby in order to bond. Mothers are biologically designed to feed their babies and dad’s can do just about everything else but feed. Dads and Breastfeeding – KellyMom
When should I start expressing?
Under normal circumstances it is not recommended to express until your supply is established, around 6 weeks approx. Once breastfeeding is going well it is easier to feed baby directly from the breast. It is more time consuming when you add pumping to the equation. Plus, if you choose a bottle as your method of supplementation this increases the risk of nipple confusion and flow preference. For more see: Alternative Feeding Methods
I feed my baby to sleep - is this a bad habit?
Feeding your baby to sleep is the most natural thing in the world. Human milk contains a wonderful hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) which induces sleepiness, both in mother and baby. When a baby feeds, CCK is released within the mother which helps her rest and relax…this is nature, not a bad habit.
Feeding to sleep is a wonderful tool to have, don’t be afraid to use it.
When will my baby sleep through the night?
When your baby is developmentally ready to do so.
See link provided for information on what is biologically normal for human babies when it comes to sleep: ISIS (Infant Sleep Information Source)
How long should I breastfeed?
For as long as both you and your baby are happy to continue. The World Health Organisation (WHO), Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health and Children (DoHC) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding, in combination with suitably nutritious and safe complementary foods until children are 2 years of age or beyond.
Other Breastfeeding Resources
Everything from why breastfeed, alternative methods and answers to many of the questions you may have in the early days of your breastfeeding journey right through to navigating a return to work
Additional Support Options and Resources in Ireland
- HSE Breastfeeding Website
- Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in Ireland
- La Leche League of Ireland
- Association of Lactation Consultants Ireland
- Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services, Ireland
- Irish Premature Babies
- The Breast Way
- Friends of Breastfeeding Ireland
- www.bestservices.ie
- The Equality Tribunal
- Fathers direct
- Family Support Agency
- Irish Multiple Births Association
- Irish Refugee Council
- National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders
- National Disability Authority
- Irish Civil Service – Breastfeeding and the Work Place
- Citizens Information – Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding in Public (the laws that protect breastfeeding mothers and babies)
International Resources - Websites
KellyMom “At KellyMom.com, our goal is to provide support & evidence-based information on breastfeeding, sleep and parenting.”
Breastfeeding Inc Jack Newman MD, FRCPC & Edith Kernerman IBCLC “Our aim is to empower parents by ensuring they receive the most up-to-date information to assist them with their breastfeeding baby. We strive to provide them this information through breastfeeding resources which include, but are not limited to, free information sheets, video clips, and articles. Some resources, such as books, protocols and videos can also be purchased through the website.”
Biological Nurturing / Laid Back Breastfeeding Biological Nurturing is new breastfeeding approach that refers to a range of semi-reclined maternal breastfeeding postures and innate feeding behaviours.
Jay Gordon MD, FAAP “Intensely interested in infant nutrition and breastfeeding, Dr. Gordon is the first male physician to sit for and pass the International Board of Lactation Certification Exam and has served on the Professional Advisory Board of La Leche League for twenty-four years.”
Mother – Baby Behavioural Sleep Laboratory “Professor James J. McKenna’s Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory studies how sleeping environments reflect and respond to family needs—in particular how they affect mothers, breastfeeding, and infants’ physiological and psychological well-being and development.”
ISIS – Infant Sleep Information Source “This website is about normal infant sleep. We use ‘normal’ to mean ‘what is biologically expected for humans’. Our starting point is that sleep is a biological need. We present information about what is biologically normal for human babies. We also discuss how this may vary due to different cultural behaviours and expectations such as what babies are fed, where they sleep, and how societies interpret their needs.”
Breastfeeding after Breast and Nipple Surgeries “This website was created in 1998 by two mothers who have had breast reduction surgery themselves, Diana West, IBCLC, and Carol Maranta. The site is an outgrowth of the BFAR email lists that operated from 1996-2005 and the BFAR Book that was published in 2001. Diana is an international board-certified lactation consultant and maintains the main website and its content. Carol maintains the very active forum community, which replaced the email lists in 2005.”
Books & Videos
Books
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (8th edition) – La Leche League International
- My Child Won’t Eat – Dr Carols Gonzales.
- The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers – Jack Newman M.D. and Teresa Pitman
- Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding – Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman
- Breastfeeding Made Simple (2nd edition) -Nancy Mohrbacher IBCLC, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett PH.d, IBCLC
- The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk – Diana West and Lisa Marasco
- The Food of Love – Kate Evans
- Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding – Ina May Gaskin
- The Wonder Weeks – Hetty van de Rijt, Ph.D and Frans Plooij, Ph.D
- The Politics of Breastfeeding – Gabrielle Palmer
Disclaimer: Cuidiú – ICT does not endorse any product, products or services featured within the above links
WHO Code
The WHO International Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Cuidiú continues to be fully committed to playing our part in the upholding of the full Code.
Find a Breastfeeding Counsellor
Every breastfeeding journey is unique, and support can make all the difference. Connect with Cuidiú today to access trusted guidance, encouragement, and a welcoming community for you and your baby.