The Birth & Breastfeeding Club Worcester

07/03/2024

I like for things to make sense. And never once have I witnessed a baby feeding purely for comfort. Newborns feed for two reasons: to fill their stomach to grow and to increase the milk supply. So you tend to have what feels like a “proper feed” with the baby actively sucking and swallowing followed by deep sleep. Or you’ll have short frequent feeds over 4-5 hours where the baby does not go into a deep sleep (which is why you can’t put them down). Those periods, called cluster feeding, is to increase the milk supply. There’s no disputing that being skin to skin, regulating your baby’s systems for them, will feel comforting. Same as the feel good hormones that baby receives while feeding. But that’s not the sole purpose for being on the breast. I eat to survive. The fact that I feel better after eating isn’t the main purpose of eating. It’s a by product. And babies are the same. If we think our baby is feeding for comfort, we may stop feeding, swaddle baby and give them a dummy. This means that baby won’t stimulate the milk supply, might miss an actual feed they need and will use more energy to regulate their own systems. Often resulting in weight loss and an inability to keep up with the babies increased milk needs, as our supply doesn’t increase at the right rate.

05/03/2024

Me in my paid role. X

Hiya. I’m Malin.
I’ve been with the team for over 2 years now.
Before joining I trained as a breastfeeding friend, breast buddy, breastfeeding counsellor and doula.
I had a very difficult breastfeeding journey myself and trained to hopefully prevent it happening to other new parents.
I love combining practical support with evidence based information.
When I’m not geeking out on breastfeeding science, you’d find me walking around the river, hanging out with my kids, socialising with friends or early in bed with a good book. 😊

25/02/2024

After a few good sessions, I’ve decided to move forward with 40 minute 1:1 sessions, to be able to tailor it to the pregnant person unique circumstances. We have also explored the planned birth and choices as well as how to prepare for breastfeeding and what the first week typically looks like. Please continue to dm me if you’re interested. It’s limited those in Worcester city and birthing at home or Worcester Royal Hospital.

22/02/2024

How many times have I heard that having sore ni***es is “to be expected”, “part of the parcel” or that “the ni***es need to toughen up”? No, no and no again! Just because sore ni***es are unfortunately common, doesn’t mean it’s how it should be. Sore ni***es have a cause, the most common being the positioning and attachment. If it hurts and someone says the latch looks fine; IGONRE THEM and ask for further help. It is clearly not right if it’s painful. Pain is our body’s way to tell us something isn’t right. Why would breastfeeding and ni***es be any different? Get help to find the cause of your ni**le pain. ***es

16/02/2024

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, tailored more around what the expect following indications and caesareans as unfortunately it’s becoming the most likely birth scenarios. I’m just putting some feelers out to see what the interest may be and then I’ll launch some date. Please let me know if you’d be interested.

03/01/2024

This week I’ll be in Droitwich. Come and see me there. X

24/11/2023

I believe in being absolutely truthful with new parents. Any “wrong” decisions made are commonly made because they just didn’t have enough information to make a better one. So it start with information and then it continues with demonstrations; position and attachment, breast compressions and switch feeding. Sometimes boosting supply is also needed. It’s all ok though. I had no clue when I had my first so I’m not coming in here judging anyone or trying to make anyone feel bad. However, if a GP or HV tells you your BF baby has colic, just question it. It is the least likely explanation for your baby’s behaviour.

25/10/2023

A baby communicates it’s needs by crying. If picking your baby up and the baby stops, you have figured out it’s need. It’s that simple. Your baby doesn’t have trapped wind, doesn’t need a snooze pod, doesn’t need white noise. Your baby needs to be close to another body. Just like any newborn mammal. You’d never see a cat pick their crying kitten up, just to put it down in a separate box and walk off. People are so proud of bed hating with their dogs, because if they don’t, the dog cries all night. And we say “aw, isn’t that lovely!”. But with a newborn baby we assume something else. Skin to skin regulates a baby’s heartbeat, breathing and temperature. By holding our baby’s we help them use less energy and it aids both development and weight gain. Of course there are times when a baby is unwell, but those babies will carry on crying. But we need to be mindful that the longer a baby cried for, the longer it will take to settle them. So sometimes, it may be 30mins or more if baby has been worked up for a longer time. Listen to your baby, not society. Babies are simple beings. They need to be held and they need to be fed. Same thing we all need for our survival and wellbeing.

01/10/2023

11/09/2023

It’s all well and good talking about Oxytocin, the hormone of love, and how it will surge through you to help you feed your baby and adjust to being a new parent. But when we know that the minority of women in Worcestershire totally misses out on that surge in labour, what’s the point? It’s traumatising to lull pregnant people into a false sense of security, for their expectations to be totally shattered. It’s irresponsible. We need to change how we prepare and offer to support to those who have inductions and caesareans, for them to have the same success in reaching their breastfeeding goals, as all new mums should.

22/04/2023

Sometimes I just feel a bit fed up. And like I want to rant. The way your baby comes into this world; vaginally, instrumental, caesarean, induced or a combination of nearly all of the possibilities CAN ALL HAVE AN IMPACT ON HOW BREASTFEEDING GOES. And sometimes, the things we are told are impacting, are in reality not at all. There’s this one size fits all approach that drives me up the wall. If you need breastfeeding support, find someone who listens to your whole history. There is no way anyone can make a good professional decision without knowing exactly what has happened and when. Don’t settle for the tick box solutions. You’re an individual with your own story and you deserve to be heard.

08/04/2023

Having a voice is something I strongly believe in. Change won’t come tomorrow, but you am an be part of the change for the next generation. And that’s epic.

Health and Wellbeing survey for Worcestershire women and families after having a baby

Have you had a baby within the last 12 months? If so, please take part in Worcestershire County Council's survey (https://forms.office.com/e/299GPSznzX). The aim of this survey is to better understand the health and wellbeing needs, experiences, and preferences for Worcestershire women and families during pregnancy and after having a baby. This will help to influence the healthy lifestyle development of services and support for families in Worcestershire. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Thank you.