Helping mums who need support and guidance breastfeeding – World Breastfeeding Week
A new mum and a specialist midwife from Broomfield Hospital are sharing their stories on the importance of encouraging breastfeeding, as part of World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August).
Infant specialist feeding midwife, Charlotte Lowden, provides guidance and support for new mums when they have difficulties feeding during those precious first weeks.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust midwife said: “We want to promote breastfeeding as it’s the best start for your baby in terms of nutrition and health. Women want to do it and start doing it, but if they encounter problems it’s about making sure they have the right support and guidance in place - and that’s where my team comes in.”
Charlotte, who has been a midwife since 2007, says women shouldn’t feel the blame if they struggle to breastfeed, as pressures in society can often make new mothers feel guilty if they can’t.
“We’re trying to help women meet their goals, whatever they are. My role involves working out what new mothers want and trying to help them get there - whether that’s exclusively breastfeeding or responsive bottle feeding, which involves giving your baby lots of comfort and making sure they still have the opportunity to have skin to skin as a nursing mother would.
“The advice I would give to any new mum, would be to do what is best for you and your baby and don’t be afraid to reach out and get the right support at the right time.”
One of those mums is Davina Gunn, 33 and from Brentwood, who gave birth at Broomfield Hospital three months ago. She shared her experience as a first-time mum breastfeeding and praised the specialist midwives who helped her during those first weeks.
She said: “Charlotte and her colleague Abbie were an incredible support to me during my early breastfeeding journey. Their professionalism, kindness and insight had a profound impact on how my son Jack fed and whether or not I would continue breastfeeding.
“They were able to show me positions that suited Jack’s reflux and advise me on why he was not latching through their sharp and timely assessment of his mouth. During the first challenging weeks of my son’s life, they were a lifeline to me and my husband.”