Learn about Breastfeeding

These links are useful to read through before baby arrives and also to have on hand to read once baby is here. 

Possibly the most comprehensive resource you could read through is our book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. 

Links to LLL information about the early days of breastfeeding:

• Antenatal Expression of Colostrum https://www.laleche.org.uk/antenatal-expression-of-colostrum/

• Beginning Breastfeeding https://www.laleche.org.uk/beginning-breastfeeding/

• Positioning and Attachment https://www.laleche.org.uk/positioning-attachment/

• Comfortable breastfeeding https://www.laleche.org.uk/comfortable-breastfeeding/

• Signs of effective feeding in the early days https://www.laleche.org.uk/signs-effective-feeding-early-days-2/

• Is my baby getting enough milk? https://www.laleche.org.uk/is-my-baby-getting-enough-milk/

• Supporting a breastfeeding mother https://www.laleche.org.uk/supporting-a-breastfeeding-mother/ (a great one for partners to read!)

• On this website you can read more wonderful breastfeeding information, find our telephone helpline number (please leave a voicemail if no-one answers) and submit an email help request: https://www.laleche.org.uk/get-support/

LLLGB Books link to page with books The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Sweet Sleep:

• https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p91/The_Womanly_Art_of_Breastfeeding.html

• https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p89/SweetSleep.html

Other useful videos and resources:

• Information about hand expression and breast massage, which can be particularly helpful if you are engorged or have sore breasts:  http://bfmedneo.com/resources/videos/ 

• Another hand expression video: http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/Resources/AudioVideo/Hand-expression/

• This is a nice video about breastfeeding in the first hour. There are some great graphics of attachment and hand expression: https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-in-the-first-hour.html

• A great video from Global Health Media about having enough milk. Some great graphics of wees and poos and effective breastfeeding, including how to see if your baby is swallowing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6DRf5TqqRU

• Some really useful videos and information here, all about laid-back breastfeeding by Nancy Mohrbacher (IBCLC and LLL Leader):

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpJt_90JhxkPJ6wQ-6VNggkqw0aWCfRD3

• http://www.biologicalnurturing.com 
 

• This video demonstrates ‘hands-on pumping’, which is the most effective way known to maximise milk output when expressing: http://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/maximizing-milk-production.html

General Breastfeeding Websites: 

• Evidence-based, reliable and up-to-date information on most aspects of breastfeeding authored by UK-based IBCLC and LLL Leader: https://breastfeeding.support/

• Medication use while breastfeeding. Useful free factsheets on many common medications, and leaflets to download (under Information Sheets) and share with your doctor: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/

Some sleep resources:

• Baby sleep research: http://www.basisonline.org.uk - this site provides information about normal infant sleep based on the latest UK and world-wide research.

• Caring for your baby at night, a guide for parents: This UNICEF UK leaflet can be downloaded free at 

• https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/leaflets-and-posters/caring-for-your-baby-at-night/

• LLLGB information about safer sleep for breastfeeding families: Safer Sleep & the Breastfed Baby

• Safe Sleep Seven leaflet http://www.llli.org/sweetsleepbook/thesafesleepseven

• LLL International’s book, Sweet Sleep, is a thorough and reassuring read on this topic.

Where to find support (please check details for yourself before going along):

LOCAL:

• La Leche League East Cambridgeshire (us!): LLL East Cambridgeshire

• La Leche League Cambridge: http://lllcambridge.weebly.com/

• La Leche League West Norfolk: https://www.laleche.org.uk/supportgroup/lll-west-norfolk/ 

• Local voluntary organisation, Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance, drop-in clinics run by breastfeeding counsellors (and retired IBCLC): Welcome to the Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance - Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance

• The Rosie maternity centre at Addenbrookes Hospital has this page listing some of the local groups (not all): 

• Newmarket breastfeeding support group: https://www.facebook.com/NewmarketBreastfeeding/

NATIONAL HELPLINES

• LLLGB: 0345 120 2918 (8am-11pm, please leave a message if no volunteers are available when you call, we will call you back).

• BfN and ABM National breastfeeding helpline: 0300 100 0212

• NCT: 0300 330 0700