b"TALKING POINT:the early days of breastfeedingImage courtesy of A ThorntonThe early days of breastfeeding (and indeed of parentingOver time we worked out our rhythm and developedin general) are a time of many changes and emotions. Newpatterns that suited us. Motherhood definitely wasn't exactly parents are learning how to care for their baby. Mothersas I had imagined but in a good kind of way. are in recovery from pregnancy and birthing their babyElizabeth(whether vaginally or via caesarean section). This is to say nothing of the emotional ups and downs that are common inALLOW YOURSELF TIME AND FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTSthose early days and weeks of parenting. I had no idea what to expect when my first child was born, even being a midwife and ABA community educator. I thought Breastfeeding mothers and babies are also learning aboutbreastfeeding would be easy given that I had a really normal breastfeeding. Babies are born with instincts to help them getbirth and all this knowledge behind me, but we encountered to the breast and attach, but the early days are still a learningproblems. My son was very windy and there would often time. Mothers too are learninghow to position their baby,be hours of screaming and terrible feeding. He didn't sleep the signs baby is getting enough milk, what good attachmentwell until he was over a year old, plus I was back doing shift looks and feels like, and more. work. Nothing could have prepared me for the exhaustion I felt. When my daughter arrived, I felt more confident as With this in mind, we asked these questions: a mother and handling/caring for a newborn seemed like What have been your experiences? nothing. I often put her in a baby carrier and went about my What would you like to share with others to help them usual business. My daughter also had tongue and lip ties like prepare for this time? her older brother, but because we had experienced those before, the way I felt about it, and how I worked through those Thank you to everyone who sent in their thoughts. breastfeeding problems, was a lot easier. I breastfed my toddler throughout my pregnancy but the arrival of his sister prompted his abrupt weaning. This was quite a sad time, as I had intentions of tandem feeding if he wanted to continue TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME feeding. He still finds comfort in having his hands down my topBringing baby home is exciting and nerve-wracking. Ithough!wondered a lot how I would cope with caring for baby and parenting and all that was to come. In the end, all that couldPreparation is key. Nesting must be such a biologically be done was to take it one day at a time. We focused onnormal thing to do. I remember standing up on a chair enjoying the moment we were in and responding to whatevercleaning fans very late in pregnancy, scrubbing the floors needed doing at that time.by hand and rearranging everything 10 times over. But I do think it had a purpose. It meant that my home was clean and In the early days I was ravenous. It helped to have someorganised so I could relax once baby had arrived. When my frozen meals and snacks and some recipes my partner couldsecond child was born, my main problem was adjusting to handle (smoothies were great!). When friends and familythe demands of caring for a baby as well as keeping a then wanted to visit we requested they bring food. Some brought a2-year-old occupiedno advice there!meal, others popped by the shops.Allow yourself time for nesting. Go on date nights with I spent a lot of time just staring at my baby snuggled up inyour significant other. Do some meal prep. Stock up on the my arms, whether we were breastfeeding, they were sleepingessentials like nappies and wipes. Do grocery shopping online or just being. I am glad I spent that time resting and bonding. where possible.8| Essence | Australian Breastfeeding Association December 2019"