Fantastic Breast feeding support

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Gem

Breastfeeding was something that I was determined to try and do for both of my babies. Unfortunately both of my breastfeeding experiences were extremely painful and distressing to begin with.  With Ruby I have been revisiting the same frustrating and tiring feeding problems that I had to go through with Rosie.   The main problem has been that both Ruby and Rosie have had a tongue tie.

I first became aware of ‘tongue tie’ when some close friends of ours starting experiencing problems with their baby, he was extremely unsettled and restless, and when doctors and midwives failed to be able to help,  they were given some great advice to call Charlotte from Milk Matters.  Charlotte is a Lactatation consultant and I think she’s wonderful! She quickly diagnosed our friends baby with a tongue tie and helped to get him treated.

When I booked Lisa to be our doula (see previous post) part of Lisa’s doula package was to have an appointment with Charlotte before our baby was born. This was a fantastic idea and gave me a real insight in to what breastfeeding would be like.  It also cleared up the myth that if breastfeeding hurts just persevere and your boobs will toughen up! when in fact, if breastfeeding hurts there are usually some underlying issues that need to be treated to help make things better.  So as soon as I started breastfeeding Rosie and experienced terrible pain I knew we needed to get to the bottom of things quickly.   Charlotte quickly came to our rescue when Rosie was five days old (I was a tearful mess and couldn’t bare the pain by this point!). She spotted Rosie had a tongue tie, and that she also had some tension in her neck and head. Charlotte advised us see a cranium therapist to help relieve her strains and she recommended the fabulous team at the Good Health Centre in Leeds.  After some gentle cranium therapy treatment Rosie’s feeding improved dramatically and things became a little easier, so we decided that perhaps Rosie’s tongue tie wasn’t bad enough to need treating. Unfortunately she continued to be a very unsettled, windy and tiring little baby really! After three months of trying to figure things out, we contacted Charlotte again, and she detected that the tongue tie was worse than we had previously thought. After a little deliberation we decided to have the tongue tie treated. It was a quick procedure and straight away Rosie could latch on better and feeding felt so much easier! It was such a relief.

When Ruby was born three weeks ago, I knew as soon as she latched on that things didn’t feel right, and within three days I was in way too much pain to pop her on the breast. (not to be too graphic but I felt like she was knawing my nipples off!) So we quickly contacted Charlotte and got an appointment within a couple of days.  As I suspected Ruby was confirmed as having a tongue tie. We didn’t hesitate to get it treated this time and booked an appointment through Milk Matters. The procedure costs £190 but in my opinion it was worth every penny. We couldn’t have waited to be referred and treated through the NHS (I’ve heard this can sometimes take up to 8 weeks!)  I was having to express and syringe feed Ruby to let my nipples repair themselves and this wouldn’t have been a feasible long term solution. Ruby has also been having some cranium osteopathy treatment at the Good Health Centre, to help relieve any niggles she may have. Fingers crossed my breastfeeding journey with Ruby will be a good one now.

I can easily see why so many mums would struggle to breastfeed if not given the correct or best advice available. I feel super lucky to have had the help and support that Charlotte gave us.  She also helped me with other breastfeeding issues including Mastitis and other painful problems! If you are having any problems with an unsettled baby, sore boobs etc I would really advise calling a lactaction consultant. Charlotte also has a fantastic blog analyticalarmadillo.co.uk (infant feeding support for both breast and non breastfed babies) and facebook group. In our house Charlotte is known as the baby whisperer. I’ll always remember how much she helped us. ‘ Thank you Charlotte!’ xx

I’ve also recently become aware of a fantastic free support group for breastfeeding mamas – La Leche League. The ladies I have met through our local group have already been a great support for me and I’m really looking forward to attending more meetings throughout my breastfeeding journey with Ruby.

Local LLL groups hold regular informal discussion meetings for interested women and their babies. Meetings cover a wide range of breastfeeding related topics including:

  • Why breastfeeding is good for mothers, babies and society.
  • Preparation and expectations.
  • Getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
  • Overcoming or avoiding challenges and difficulties.
  • Family life with a baby.
  • Nighttime parenting and infant sleep.
  • Returning to work.
  • Starting solids, nutrition and weaning.

(the above text is from the LLL website)

That’s enough boob talk for now! I hope it’s been helpful to someone reading this.

Have you experienced any fantastic breast feeding support that you would like to share? please feel free to share in the comments below.

Thanks for reading!

x

 

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Wonderful services for pregnancy and birth …

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Gem

 While everything is still fresh in my mind I thought I’d write a little bit about my experiences with pregnancy and birth, and a few of the useful things and services we discovered throughout this special time.

I loved most things about being pregnant, I loved how healthy and sparkly I felt, I loved my big belly, I loved feeling this little miracle growing inside of me, wriggling and hiccuping away, I loved wondering what my baby would look like, be like … So many things really!

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Both my pregnancy experiences have been super special times for me …. apart from the morning sickness which left me at 12 weeks. But you soon forget that part.

I’ve also been incredibly lucky to discover some fantastic services that helped immensely with our pregnancy and birth experiences, and I really want to share them… or even shout about them really, as I feel all pregnant people should know of these things.

‘Where will you give birth?’
When pregnant with Rosie I thought the above question had an obvious answer .. ‘hospital’ of course. The sheer thought of home birth terrified me. I had no knowledge about anything birth related and thought that giving birth was just a hospital procedure that you had to endure whilst shouting profanities and gripping on to the hubby’s hand. I thought it was the safest place to have a baby.

So you can imagine how surprised I was when I looked in to the birth options available  in more detail and discovered that home birth was actually the way I wanted to go. I wont go in to all the details, I’m no expert but I found home birth to be the safest and best option for us in the end. When I discovered that giving birth could actually be a good experience I was surprised and relieved. I actually started to look forward to the birth rather than dread it.

The most common thing people say to me when they find out I’ve had a home birth (if they haven’t looked in to the facts about hospital versus home birth etc) is ‘ooh you are so brave!’ ‘I wouldn’t risk anything going wrong’ etc … actually they are the kinds of things I would have said before I learnt more about it all!
All I know is I wanted do what was best for my children, I wanted the safest delivery for them and of course I would have gone in to hospital if it was medically necessary.
I know home birth isn’t for everyone but it worked for us.

Rosie and Ruby both had natural home water births and all went well with both.

Here is a list of some of the services and people I feel greatly contributed to us having such positive birth experiences.

Hypno birthing

I learnt early on in my first pregnancy about Hypno birthing. We had some home classes and I found it a great relaxing tool with my first pregnancy. I enjoyed listening to the Marie Mongan Rainbow relaxation – especially when struggling to sleep. The Marie Mongan book was great too.
But the best thing I learnt from it was the breathing techniques – I used these throughout both births and my husband actually uses some of the breathing techniques when competing in mountain bike races too! (Not sure he’d want me to share that .. But I have!)

Hiring a Doula

I think the best advice I had whilst pregnant was ‘hire a doula’. I must say a huge thank you to my good friend Lori for this, Lori has helped us with many things related to pregnancy and birth and I can’t really thank her enough.  Lori is also a councillor and psychotherapist who has helped many women with all sorts of birth and postnatal issues – lori’s website is http://lifeboost-uk.com please check it out and pass on to your pregnant friends.

I won’t go in to too much detail about what doulas are, as the list is long! – but to quote from the Doula UK website ‘ Doulas support women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. This support is practical and emotional but non-medical in nature.’  Check out the doula uk website for detailed information and to find doulas in your areas.

We chose the fabulous Lisa Sykes to be our doula for both pregnancies (www.lisasykes.com) Lisa is a wonderful doula, she helped us so much in so many ways. Her support and care was outstanding throughout both my pregnancies. She’s now a great friend too and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Reiki

Lisa is also a lady with many talents. Her Reiki skills are amazing! I had a reiki session whilst pregnant and it was bliss. I highly recommend it.

Lisa is kindly offering readers of my blog a £10 discount off her Reiki massage price! Making it just £25 instead of £35. (Please check you are within Lisa’s area as travel expenses my apply on longer distances) This is a bargain, and I’ll be booking her reiki magic again very soon too. (lisasykes.com/reiki)
Lisa also teaches Birth positively classes with another special lady to us Lindsay Gale. (Check out the Birth positive website … You can also receive a £10 discount for this service by mentioning this blog!) Thanks ladies xx

The lovely Lindsay became our standby doula for Ruby’s birth ( we went two weeks over the guess date, which meant Lisa handed over the role to Lindsay ).
She was amazing too. Such a fantastic support. Keeping us calm and reassured throughout the birth. She was awesome.

Reflexology

Lindsay is a reflexology goddess and has kindly offered to do a £5 discount off her £35 session fee for the readers of this blog (again distance restrictions apply)
Lindsay did some reflexology for me a few weeks before Ruby was born. It was just what I needed at the time (in fact I think I’d like it all the time!) I felt super relaxed and refreshed after the treatment and found it amazing how many of my little ailments were detected through the process.
I will be booking again!

Lindsay also teaches pregnancy Yoga. I haven’t tried this myself but I’ve heard it’s pretty great. You can have 6 classes for the price of 5 if you mention this blog too. Another fab deal to be had for any pregnant lady. (See mama-toto.co.uk For more information on all of Lindsay’s services)

One to one midwives

During my second pregnancy I discovered the fab, personal and free service offered by one to one midwives (onetoonemidwives.org)  They provided us with a fantastic midwife called Amanda who did all our pre-natal appointments at our home, attended the birth and is still in close contact with us now doing all the checks for us at our convenience at home.  She is always there for us by text or phone call if we need anything. Such a great supportive service. It’s been brilliant having Amanda working with us. She really goes out of her way to help, reassure and make people feel safe, informed and positive. I highly recommend this service and feel super lucky to have been able to have a one to one midwife.

I think that’s enough of my ramblings for now!  I’d love to hear what helped you throughout your pregnancies and birth journeys. Did you discover any fantastic services or people that you want to tell everyone about?  Please feel free to share in the comments below.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post xxx

 

 

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Sleep deprivation inspiration!

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Gem

Gemma leak photography

Two weeks ago I became a mummy to my second daughter Ruby, she is the perfect snuggly, scrumptious addition to our little family.

It’s amazing how your heart can love these little people so much so quickly.  I was unsure how there’d be room to feel the same for another as I do for my two year old daughter Rosie (and hubby of course) .. but I do! The heart is an amazing thing, although it feels it could burst sometimes – it’s a wonderful feeling.

Our little family is now complete (my two naughty cats are also nudging me to be included in this statement) and I am so excited for the future and all the experiences to come.
I love being a mummy and feel this is what I was always meant to be … I’m not saying I’m a perfect parent (I don’t think there is such a thing), I just feel I’ve found what makes me truly happy. It’s crazy how much I’m constantly learning from my children, they have taught me so much about myself and life. I’m not quite sure I can remember what I used to think about before I became a Mum!

Sleep deprivation inspiration …
As any new parent will know and probably agree one of the hardest parts of having a new baby is the sleep deprivation. Waking up every hour or two throughout the night is tough! I’m thankful for the gadgets I have to keep me company through night feeds – my iPhone, kindle & iPad are my night time friends. (Along with a secret stash of delicious chocolate & a little Rescue remedy!)
Something new and exciting came in to my mind during a night feed last week, through a sleepy haze my creative mind starting working overtime and I decided I would start a blog about all the things that my daughters and I love… Things that have been so useful to us on our family journey that I want to share with others.
It’s the perfect way to keep the creative side of me happy (and my camera clear of cobwebs!) oh yes! I forgot to mention the other job I love in my life is being a photographer. I’ve been running my own portrait photography business since 2005 (www.gemmaleak.co.uk) 

 My aim is to try and fill this blog with lovely images ( most will probably feature my girls!) and I can’t wait to get started!

I don’t claim to be any good at writing (I’m probably quite the opposite) but I enjoy it and I feel that’s all that counts! My writing style is honest and at times clumsy and a bit scattered about .. A bit like the rest of me really (I am a Gemini after all)

I will often be writing these posts with one hand whilst rocking my baby Ruby or cuddling Rosie on my knee … Or any number of different mummy tasks throughout the day.

Right now I’m writing this post with little Ruby gurgling and cooing away on my shoulder. Such beautiful noises that I’m treasuring as I know how soon these moments pass.

I look forward to sharing much more with you .. And I hope you will share your stories and experiences back with me too.

Thanks for reading the first post on ‘Rosie & Ruby love …’

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