Breast Feeding 2

Breast Feeding

I’m delighted to introduce Clare Boyle to all you lovely ladies who want to learn more about breastfeeding. I presumed breastfeeding would happen naturally but unfortunately I encountered a lot of problems (more in my blog). I met Clare’s sister on a cookery course. I was very interested to hear that she gave breastfeeding preparation classes. Clare kindly let me sit in on one of her classes in Dublin. I came away with a mixture of emotions: I was absolutely thrilled that there is someone out there giving the correct information and more importantly simplifying certain areas and cutting through all the old wives tales. On the other hand I felt a little upset and angry that nothing like this was available to me when I was expecting (or at least I didn’t know about it). I can safely say that I would never have had the difficulties I had if I had sat in on one of Clares classes. I would have been able to make strong and informed decisions instead of listening to 10 different people giving me completely different advice. Clare teaches you how to latch the baby properly and gives you tips and tricks to help you overcome the most common brestfeeding issues that arise. She will also be on the other end of the phone once you give birth to give you the support you need when you are learning how to nurse your baby.

You can read more information on Skin to Skin for Mothers and Child as appeared in Oh Baby! Maternity & Infant Magazine in Autumn 2010.

Breastfeeding Preparation Class

Designed specifically to teach you about breastfeeding before your baby is born.

The Breastfeeding Preparation Class is for pregnant women who want to breastfeed their baby but feel that they need more information to help prepare them for this wonderful but sometimes challenging experience. In the Breastfeeding Preparation Class you will be taught about the important aspects of breastfeeding so you will feel much more knowledgeable and confident about breastfeeding before your baby arrives!!

Although breastfeeding is natural, it is a skill that needs to be learned, but often women don’t get many opportunities to learn about it before they have their own baby. Pregnancy is the ideal time to learn about breastfeeding as women are highly motivated and find it easier to absorb new information at this time than in the early days after the baby is born (basically, pregnancy brain is better than baby brain!!).

The Breastfeeding Preparation Class is a four hour course that will cover all the important information to enable you to get off to a great start with breastfeeding and is designed to teach you the main principles of breastfeeding in an engaging and enjoyable format. I use innovative teaching techniques as well as DVD’s, power point, hands on practice with dolls and breastfeeding cushions and lots of discussion. Partners are very welcome to attend the class at no extra cost; it is really helpful for both of you to understand how breastfeeding works.

The class covers the following:

• How to know your baby is latched on correctly
• How to know your baby is getting enough milk
• How to know when your baby wants to feed and how long to feed for.
• What are the special properties of breast milk
• How to latch your baby on – different feeding positions
• How to avoid problems.
• What to do if you are having problems
• Expressing milk
• Coping strategies for the early weeks
• Breastfeeding in public (not as scary as you might think!)
• Each participant receives a folder with all the necessary info

And much more…

I have designed the Breastfeeding Preparation Class to help women have a positive breastfeeding experience. As a Registered Midwife, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a Mother I know that education and support can have a profoundly positive effect on how a woman experiences new motherhood, and I am committed to supporting women during this extraordinary time in their lives.

Receipts are available for health insurance reimbursement for antenatal education. Check with your Health Insurance regarding the specific details of reimbursement.

www.anulife.ie | clare@anulife.ie | 087 4198764 | www.facebook.com/breastfeedingclass