World Breastfeeding Week 2015

That moment when you hold your newborn skin-to-skin, they nuzzle and breastfeed - bliss!

World Breastfeeding Week 2015

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world but it doesn't always come easily (or without pain) but it is absolutely worth it! There is lots of support out there when you know where to look.

Australian Breastfeeding Association is a fantastic volunteer group. Speak to a phone Councellor on 1800 MUM 2 MUM.

Speak to a Lactation Consultant - available privately or sometimes through your local Public Hospital.

Seek out other like-minded Parents - a Mum who has breastfed her children can be a wealth of information.

Go online to breastfeeding websites - Australian Breastfeeding Association  and BellyBelly are good starts. Beware the Google search. The advertised sites and ones up top are all sponsored by formula companies and are full of booby traps! 

Bear in mind most GP's, Obstetricians, Pharmacists and even some Child and Family Health Nurses have limited education and experience in breastfeeding. Some new Grandparents, Aunty's, Uncle's will have little knowledge or experience in breastfeeding.

Most importantly, relax and let your baby take the lead. If somethings not right ask for help (and keep asking until you get it).

You made this baby, you grew this baby, you got this!

~Bec

Mother's Day

Mother's Day ... a day to celebrate mother's but also a day to celebrate strong women. Imagine what we would achieve is we supported, trusted and believed in each other.

So today, I wish a very Happy Mother's Day to every Mum, Grandmother, Aunty, carer and friend that love's and supports unconditionally.

A Happy Mother's Day to all pregnant woman, or women who are wishing they are.

For those Mother's who couldn't hold their butterfly babies or who's children were taken far too soon - I hope this day reminds you what a special Mum you are, and the absence of their arms round your neck doesn't leave a hole in your heart.

Happy Mother's Day strong women - I hope you have an amazing day.

~Bec

Midwives Day

Today is International Midwives Day. I wanted to write something memorable. Something that struck a chord with someone who would understand exactly what this profession means to me. I realised, there are no words to describe Midwifery.

Midwifery is beautiful, messy, amazing and heart wrenching all at the same time. I can’t even begin to describe what this amazing profession means to me.

As a midwife, I read midwifery journals for fun, find myself in all sorts of social situations discussing all things birth or baby related, yell at birth scenes in movies and my Facebook NewsFeed resembles a birthing unit’s notice board – all babies, bellies and breasts.

As a woman I was privileged to have continuity of care from a very special Privately Practicing Midwife. Birth is a transformative process and she was there every step of the way. Experiencing things from ‘the other side’ has increased my passion (not that I thought that was possible) and has (hopefully) made me a better Midwife.

So today, I want every women I’ve cared for to know they are amazing and I am forever grateful to them for including me in their experience. I want my Midwife to know she made a difference. I want my colleagues to know that their sacrifices are valued. When they cry in the hallway, drag their tired bodies out of bed to attend a woman or miss family events – they are appreciated, treasured and we thankyou.

~Bec