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 Groups: Joined: 3/20/2008 Posts: 1,030
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Ladies, I'm doing a bit of research - partly curiosity and partly thinking about a future career... I would like to know if there is enough support out there (Cork area) for breastfeeding moms? How many of you found that it was not plain sailing? And would any of you have paid for a breast feeding counsellor or would you expect that kind of service to be free? If it was a private breastfeeding counsellor with no qualifications but a lot of experience and knowledge would that make any difference? I appreciate all views and opinions on this and thanks for taking the time to reply even if just to tell me this will not work and to think of another career avenue... [:D]
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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There is plenty support out there through la leche and cuidiu. the service is free and is given by BF mothers who give their time for free I think. I had support from my SIL but once I had a problem and I rang and the lady got back to me within an hour and had me sorted. You can phone them or there are meetings that you can attend. I would not pay for a councilor but I will gladly take advice from a BF mother. If the councilor has indeed BF then great but why pay when it's free from the other support groups. I believe in some hospitals there are support midwives who specialise in things like feeding and contraception etc and they can give you help before you leave too. Good luck in your career.
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Groups: Joined: 3/20/2008 Posts: 1,030
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Thanks katiedan, but not all moms (like myself) like La Leche or Cuidiu's approach and I was thinking sometimes its nice to have someone there, rather than a person on the phone... I had a chat with my midwife friends today and I teach pregnancy yoga, they said attaching it to that may be a good idea. I'd know the women and if she wanted to employ me well that would be her decision and she'd know me from the classes and I'd know her... I'll give it a go anyway and see what demand there is out there... I just know Ireland have one of the lowest breastfeedinig rates and I personally think its because of lack of support... Thanks for your opionion, its just the kind of feedback I need...
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Groups: Joined: 6/23/2008 Posts: 1,139
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I actually failed on my first because she was 8 weeks early and I expressed for 8 weeks and it was tube or bottle fed. I tried a few times to latch her on but that is where I fell down on support. Maybe in the hospital environment if you were available, I might have succeeded. I tried on my second who was full term and I fed him for 18 months. If women were made more aware in the ante natal classes maybe that there is someone like you available it would work. I did a 1 antenatal day course and I found the person negative towards it and not very encouraging. Women need to know before the event that that kind of help is available. When you get into problems it's verging on the too late side of things. I agree with your friends. If women know while they take the yoga that you can also do this, then it would be good.
The rates of BF is shocking in this country compared to some EU states where it's as high as 95% and recently Australia were giving out that only 50% of women were feeding after 6 months of age!
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 Groups: Joined: 12/4/2007 Posts: 596
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I know some girls (in Dublin) who had lessons before they had their babies and support and advice afterwards from a private breast feeding advisor. I think its a good idea, I never used La Leche but did have my mum for support
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