What would you tell an antenatal group about breastfeeding?

[PurplePidjin]

I've been asked to talk to the latest batch of mum to be about breastfeeding. Ds has just weaned at 15 months, and according to the mw who runs our breastfeeding group I'm an expert

So far i reckon:

it's the same amount of work as Ffs but all the hard stuff is in the first 4-6 months

formula isn't poison so don't feel guilty if you need to give it, for your own physical or mental health as much as your baby's

breastfeeding is nature's way of telling you to sit and rest after birth. you have achieved something by keeping your baby fed, if you manage dressed with a hot meal on the table you're superman

anything else?

Mrscakespremonition

"Ideally, make yourself sound approachable and normal. "

That made me chuckle. I am sure the OP doesn't need to try too hard to sound just lovely and normal.

I know The op sounds lovely. When DC1 was very new I met a fab mum at a similar session, she was so excited to be sharing and wanting to convince us that BFing was a great thing that she was actually a bit overwhelming. Giving us time to ask her about her experiences and just chat would have been lovely. I now know her much better and know she was coming from exactly the right place but, oh my, she did come over a bit like supermum at the time.

The only thing I tell expectant mothers about breastfeeding is that it is a skill to be mastered and so to keep the phone number for NCT/LLL/ABM to hand and the website details for the list of local in person drop ins just in case. I suggest sticking them on the fridge, in their maternity bag or wherever they can find them if they have any questions or want to get any advice personal to them.

Anything else just doesn't get listened to really or it is not/will not be relevant to half the room.

I never talk about formula feeding because that's not why I'm there. If I am asked about my experiences of formula feeding I answer factually and emphasise it is personal to me/my baby. Same as with breastfeeding.