8 HBF parents on what helped most with breastfeeding

World Breastfeeding Week is 1-7 August, and with statistics finding that one year of breastfeeding is the equivalent of burning the same number of calories it takes to run 35-50 marathons¹ – it’s a wonderful time to check in with yourself or someone you know who is breastfeeding and tell them how incredible they are. It’s also a wonderful time to share advice, because breastfeeding is a skill, and offering women support while learning this skill can be invaluable.

This is peer advice. It is always advisable to see your doctor for tailored advice and recommendations beyond what the below HBF parents have to share from their personal experience.

Every mother’s breastfeeding journey is different, and that is ok

To set the stage, this first titbit of advice is vital – because with the amount of information out there (and the amount of time you might be spending on your phone to stay awake during night feeds,) it’s very important to remind yourself that every journey looks different, and that is ok. Kat’s breastfeeding journey may have been eight years ago, but she remembers it vividly, and this reminder is her biggest advice – especially for new mums.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be not to put so much pressure on yourself to "fit in" (or do what you feel is expected to fit in) and just listen to your body and baby, because that is all that matters!

I have many friends who have had more success nursing their second-born. Keep trying, do what is right for you and your baby, not others, and go easy on yourself. Motherhood is wonderfully tricky, unexpected, and different for everyone.

Kat, Mum to Jackson and Adysen

Create a lactation station – and keep it at arm’s reach

Given that a mother’s milk consists of approximately 88% water² it’s obvious why hydration is so important for both mum and baby. Having a water bottle that’s easy to hold and drink from while feeding is a very wise investment, and as Chloe discovered - so is a lactation station!

One piece of out-of-the-box advice I found incredibly helpful during breastfeeding was creating a little “feeding kit” to keep everything I needed within arm’s reach - whether at home or on the go. When you're seated for a while during feeds, having essentials close by can make a big difference in comfort and convenience.

Here’s what I kept in mine: A bottle of water for hydration, pain relief medication, lip balm, a notepad and pen, breast pads, face and hand cream, my phone, and wipes for any feeding messes.

Chloe, Mum to Ben and Izzy

Wry neck is real – don’t forget to stretch your neck while feeding

No matter the pillow or posture, it can be hard to avoid staring down at your little one while feeding and putting your neck under pressure. A qualified physio can help you with stretches, which leads us to Allie’s advice on how to avoid wry neck.

I had wry neck a few times and my physio said it could be from breastfeeding. He gave me some neck stretches to do – moving my neck left to right and up and down slowly while breastfeeding.

Also, in other advice, the breastfeeding helpline (1800 mum 2 mum) was really good and open at weird times so you can get advice without leaving the house.

Allie, Mum to Stan

Speak to a lactation consultant about safe breastfeeding positions – lying down can be a game-changer

Breastfeeding can be tiring, especially in those early days when your milk is coming in, your baby is possibly cluster feeding, and you’re in the trenches of broken sleep. Educating yourself on different breastfeeding positions may help with latch and comfort – for both mum and bub. That’s one of the reasons Rhiannon saw a lactation consultant and discovered lying side by side with her baby girl, Lola gave her relief and time to rest.

In the early days of learning to breastfeed with my first baby, my LC showed me how to breastfeed lying down and it was a total game changer.

Not only did it allow me to rest more (especially during those long nights and cluster feeds), but it also really eased the back and shoulder pain I was experiencing when feeding sitting up.

Rhiannon, Mum to Lola and Sunnie

Have a women’s physio on speed dial – ultrasound on blocked milk ducts may be a solution

By definition, a blocked milk duct causes tender and painful lumps as a result of milk building up in the breast behind a duct³. Managing a blocked milk duct requires speedy work, and the advice can be varied - from your mum yelling “cabbage leaves” down the phone to your friend telling you to get in the shower. One titbit this HBF mum can vouch for in your time of tender breasts is Ultrasound Therapy with a women’s health physio. There is some great research around it too, with one study coming back showing 23 of 25 women (with a total of 34 blocked ducts) reporting a resolution of symptoms after treatment⁴.

I visited my physio in a spot of trouble after weaning gone wrong with a blocked milk duct (and tears in my eyes) –  I had been heavily massaging the area in the shower and the result was a lot more pain to an already painful situation!

My women’s health physio was quick to tell me to spread the word on how delicate breast tissue is and that massage of the breasts should either be very light piano keys on the area or very light sweeps toward the nipple. The ultrasound session I did with her was amazingly successful, and I thankfully did not have mastitis.

Kitty, Mum to Violet

It's a great idea to get clued up on what to do should you find yourself in blocked duct domain. Having some emergency numbers on the fridge can help you feel ready for whatever breastfeeding throws at you – aside from a huge appetite, so while you’re sticking those numbers to the fridge, go ahead and get yourself a snack!

Consider getting your partner involved with bottle feeding

There is a lot of support a partner can offer when it comes to feeding your baby, and for Rosie, bringing in bottle feeding at an early age was something that led to a beautiful bond for Dad and baby and allowed her some well-earned rest and independence.

If you feel ready, even if you’re exclusively breastfeeding, you could consider expressing some milk and getting your baby used to taking a bottle from your partner.

This may allow your partner to feel more connected with the baby, plus it will allow you the opportunity to skip a middle-of-the-night feed as your partner will be able to take one for the team!

Your supply allows you to pump and have a stash of milk in the freezer, this will also give you greater independence (when you’re ready) to leave baby with your partner too.

Rosie, Mum to Sophia

Speaking of partners – preparation can make all the difference, and you can play a big role here

HBF Dad, Sam adds that it’s also a rewarding idea to make the most of the education your hospital offers around breastfeeding. A lot of parents are so focused on the birth that when it comes to breastfeeding, the overwhelm of it all can be just that – overwhelming. Preparing yourself before baby is in your arms is the kind of homework that can pay off – whether it be courses, podcasts, or books.

I am a Dad of two girls and would definitely say to new parents: make the most of the coaching in hospital. There are classes on bathing, swaddling, feeding, all sorts. It’s easier to attend these classes while you don’t have to worry about home duties like cooking and cleaning!

Try not to lose sight if it doesn’t pan out like you had hoped – every body is different and so is every baby. As much as we might want to do things a certain way, all we can do is our best – especially when life throws us curveballs.

Sam, Dad to Aska and Alice

Listen to your gut, do what is right for you and your family, and if you need help – get it

Our last titbit comes from Kira, who proudly looks back on her breastfeeding journey with kindness – proud of the time, benefits, and connection it gave her boys.

I have so many little tips and bits but the overall one is that so many people will give you advice and learning to trust your own intuition is the only way through the confusion.

Don’t suffer in silence and don’t crumble under 100 unhelpful opinions.

Listen to your gut, do what feels right for you and your family and if you need help get it. Find a lactation consultant you connect with and work with them to feel the best you can.

Kira, Mum to Phelix and Casper

Bonus titbits!

• Warm or cold compress? This one can be confusing. It is recommended by the Australian Breastfeeding Association to use cool packs between feeds to reduce inflammation and a warm compress before feeding.
• Consider specialists. Our HBF parents have each been on a different journey, some of which included great success with Paediatric Chiropractors (especially for challenges linked to torticollis), Women’s Health Physios, and Lactation Consultants – you are not alone, and the right support for you and your baby is available.
• Go-to gadget or product? The votes are in and the HBF mums have spoken - it’s a tie between the Haakaa Milk Collector to catch letdown (and freeze if you get enough) Lanolin nipple cream, and Silverette Nursing Cups to care for irritated nipples.  
• Kiss your baby! Kissing your baby helps personalise your breastmilk's immune profile via antibodies that respond to your baby’s microbes⁵.
• Be proud. You’re amazing.