Breastfeeding Book/Podcast etc

[oliveandwell]

Hi everyone,

I hope someone can help me with some recommendations, or even just one recommendation would be amazing.

I am on the hunt for a book or some podcasts etc on breastfeeding - a kind of how-to and troubleshooting type thing.

I was not able to breastfeed my first child, he wouldn't latch and I was so overwhelmed and probably had a bit of PND that I just could not cope with the struggle. Needless to say I feel a bit traumatised by it.

So what I'm looking for is a book/podcast that's going to give me practical advice without the puritanical attitude because everything I've seen so far sends me on a spiral of guilt about my first baby.

I just need to practical notes!

Help!

It's not a book or podcast, but definitely check out the Instagram page Olivia Lactation Consultant (her name is Olivia Hinge if it's easier to search that way)

https://instagram.com/olivia_lactation_consultant?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I found her posts, stories and reels so unbelievably helpful! She's down to earth, practical, knowledgeable and has so much info on her page.

The food of love, one of the best most practical and helpful reads!

The Positive Breastfeeding Book by Amy Brown.

Absolute expert and researcher in breastfeeding and her research really centres women and their feelings and experiences. You certainly won't find any preaching.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding helped me a lot, it has advice for different stages as baby develops.

But the most helpful thing was going to La Leche League meetings where you can chat with other mums and the breastfeeding counsellor who leads them. If you can get to one before your baby arrives it’s actually really useful, because you know the journey and it’s less daunting than doing it for the first time with a newborn.

https://www.laleche.org.uk/find-lll-support-group/

If you can afford it, booking a lactation consultant to come to you after the birth (book her before the birth so it’s sorted), can also be beneficial.

Breastfeeding is much much easier when you have in-person support, so I would recommend sorting it while you are pregnant, which it sounds like you’re already doing. Good luck.

I agree with @AndSeventeenJellybeans that in person support will be more valuable than a book.
Could you find out where your local support group is and go whilst you’re still pregnant to have a bit of a debrief about your first experience and ask any questions you have before hand? I peer support at a group every week and we would 100% welcome someone coming to do this (plus then you know where you’re going etc when you’re carrying a baby around once you’re on the other side)

@oliveandwell you say that your first child wouldn't latch - did you find a cause? Did someone help you in person with the problem? Also.agree with the need for one to one support in the early days.

Hi all thanks for the advice so far, I am planning on using a lactation consultant this time. Just wanted something to get stuck in to before I give birth.

I didn't seek one to one help last time, I was not really in my right mind. So, I've no idea if there was a reason he didn't latch.