Nursing to Nurture

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" The greatest joy is nursing one`s own baby. The second greatest joy is helping another woman to nurse hers" - Norma Woolf Ritter

I am a registered nurse and midwife and SACLC.

09/04/2026

Becoming a father can bring forth a lot of emotions like pride, joy and excitement but it can also be very overwhelming at the same time. You want to help and support your partner but you are not always sure how?

Here are some basic tips on how to support your partner:

1. Remember that you play a very important role as a partner and father. Be patient with yourself as you learn to adjust to your new normal and take time to look after yourself while you support and help your partner.

2. Get hands on by learning how to change nappies, bath the baby, burp and soothe the baby. Helping with these tasks means the world to a tired mother. It also gives you time to bond with your baby.

3. Communicate by asking your partner what she needs - a glass of water, tea, a shower, a nap - and also communicating what your needs are.

4. Set boundaries by limiting visitors, phone calls and handling messages. This protects your partners space , gives her time to rest and gives you both time to settle in at home.

5. Try to be patient, not to take everything personal and listen without trying to fix. Your partner is going through a lot - she gave birth, postpartum hormones, pain, exhaustion and feeding your baby might get very overwhelming at times. Make her feel loved and heard with calm, steady support.

Always remember - be present, patient and supportive.

30/03/2026

Will I ever sleep again -one of the most common questions new mothers ask.

New mothers are extremely sleep-deprived and understandably so.
Caring for a newborn, breastfeeding around the clock and broken sleep, all while trying to recover from birth.

I want to reassure you that it is both essential and normal for your baby to feed frequently during the night. As they get older they can better distinguish between day and night - their circadian rhythm will start to develop around 3 months of age but it is not normally fully developed until after the first year.

Why do breastfeeding infants feed frequently at night?

-Small stomach and fast digestion of breastmilk
-Comfort and security
-Safety : Frequent night feeding can be protective against SIDS
-Development and Growth spurts
-To Establish and maintain a good milk supply: Prolactin levels are higher at night thus if breasts gets more stimulated during night time the breastmilk production will get more
-Hormones in breastmilk helps you and your baby to fall asleep faster during night time
-There are more fat content in breastmilk at night

How to cope with the broken sleep?

-Try to nap during the day when baby is sleeping
-Keep baby close at night. Co-sleeping minimizes disruption during the nights
-Minimize light to encourage a calm environment and help both you and your baby to go back to sleep quicker
-Ask for help by letting a family member or your partner help with cooking and household chores to ensure you get more rest
-Ensure proper nutrition and hydration by continuing prenatal vitamins, keeping snacks and water nearby
-Try taking a walk outside when you feel ready ,this may help boost energy
-The sleepless nights are due to the newborn not just breastfeeding, acknowledge that the first few weeks are a major adjustment

Make sure you have a support system to help you through the first few weeks of motherhood. Ask your lactation consultant for support and to help you navigate these early weeks after birth.

You are stronger than you think, it will get better and you will get some well-deserved sleep again.

28/03/2026

"Will I ever sleep again?" 😴 A painful latch or feeding struggle can keep the whole house awake. A session with an SACLC consultant can help streamline feeds so both you and baby get the rest you deserve.

16/03/2026

It is crucial to support new mothers.

I always say, happy mom, happy baby!

The lives of a mother and baby are tightly knit, it is also true that when a mother feels supported and understood that this will have a positive impact on her baby.

After welcoming a baby into the world, a new mother will experience a roller-coaster of emotions - heart-bursting love, exhaustion, uncertainty and extreme happiness. Sometimes a mother herself can get overlooked at a time when she needs a lot of support navigating the emotions and tasks of parenthood and recovering from birth.

Ways to support mothers:

- Encourage her in what she chooses to do, if she chooses to breastfeed do not push her to give formula, if she chooses to formula feed do not push her to breastfeed. It remains her choice and that should be supported and respected.
- Give her reassurance that she is doing a great job being a new mother
- Ask her how SHE is doing, not just how the baby is doing.
- Tell her how well she is doing
- Ask her what she needs : a shower, some fresh air, a nap, a household chore to be done. Be a helper , not a guest.
- Drop off a meal
- Do not make an unexpected visit
- Be there for her and let her know she can lean on you
- Check-in regularly by message or visit if she feels up to it
- Respect her boundaries
- Help her find more support services like a midwife or lactation consultant in her area if needed.

04/03/2026

Witnessing one of God's most glorious creations, it's clear that the earth is endowed with immense riches. Our Lord's power and capabilities are manifest to us every day!!!

This striking vista inspires profound thought: In my son, one of God's finest works, I see the richness of motherhood!

Receiving the gift of motherhood from God is truly the most precious blessing a woman can have!!!

14/02/2026

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day.

13/02/2026

If no one told you this today: YOU are doing such an outstanding job and are an incredible mother! Whether you breastfeed or bottle feed, work or stay at home!!

11/02/2026

Tummy Time:

Did you know that tummy time can be started as soon as a day or 2 after your baby`s birth?

This can be done in 2 or 3 short sessions each day, these sessions can gradually be made longer as your baby gets older and stronger.

TIPS:

- Place your baby on his/her tummy on your chest while lying in declined position
-Try short sessions after diaper change
-Placing a rolled up towel under baby`s arms to help prop them up slightly
-Showing them a toy or book during tummy time makes it fun

06/02/2026

Breastfeeding should be a comfortable and enjoyable experience for yourself and your baby.

Use these tips to find a comfortable breastfeeding position.
Supporting and positioning your baby in the correct way also helps your baby to achieve a good deep latch and feed effectively on the breast.

28/01/2026

Becoming a parent is a major life transition.

Welcoming a new baby is a joyful, exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience.

Nursing to Nurture is here to help you understand the basics of breastfeeding and newborn care before the arrival of your baby.

Understanding what to expect after birth is one of the best ways to prepare you for the wonderful journey of becoming parents.

26/01/2026

How do I care for my newborn`s umbilical cord?

-Your newborn`s umbilical cord stump will dry out spontaneously, no need to apply surgical spirits
-Do not cover the cord stump with the nappy

Your newborn`s umbilical cord stump will normally dry completely and fall of within 7-10 days after birth.

If any discharge or excessive redness is observed in the surrounding area consult with your clinic sister or doctor for advise.

20/01/2026

Pumps are often part of breastfeeding journeys, whether it is because you are going back to work or your baby was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Please make sure to choose a brand that is well recommended and effective for pumping breastmilk to ensure your milk supply stays optimal and to prevent any ni**le damage.

These are the electric breast pumps that are recommended:

Address

17 Brackenhill Street, Boardwalk Meander Estate
Pretoria
0081

Telephone

+27840898966

Website

http://www.nursingtonurture.co.za/

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