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Newborn & Breastfeeding class
"Breastfeeding is meant to be natural, so why is it so hard to do?"
We hear parents say this almost daily.
Why?
Breastfeeding is biologically normal, however, the act of breastfeeding is a learnt skill
Unfortunately very few people have seen others breastfeeding for extended periods of time, nor have they spent a lot of time with newborns. Read the story below about the gorilla mum raised in captivity to understand why this is an issue.
A lot of their 'education' comes from social media, TV, or friends/family who may not have had the best journey themselves, and the rest are just 'winging it'. Then throw in conflicting information from other health professionals, and you get very confused and stressed parents!
Topics we will discuss:
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What should be done immediately after birth to optimise breastfeeding and bonding
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Good breastfeeding positioning and attachment (the key to decreasing potential pain and increasing supply)
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What is normal, and what is not
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How to know baby is getting enough and how to make more if needed
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A plan for your first 6 weeks post birth
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Expressing for work or time away
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Common myths and issues, and what to do to fix them
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Why babies behave like they do - understanding their cues
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How to maximise opportunities to sleep
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Parents self care
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And much more!
Dates and costs
Classes are held Sunday mornings once a month* from 9.30am 11.30am
You may do the class at any point in your pregnancy but 32-36 weeks is ideal - so the information is still fresh when baby arrives.
Group - $70/couple
Private - $150/couple
Bookings are essential - please text or email me to book
If you need an appointment after baby is born to help with breastfeeding (or postnatal care) you will only pay the 'follow-up' fee of $100 (you can get Medicare rebates up to 6 weeks post birth, no referral needed)
*Extra classes may be put on if there is demand
Add on the Birthing Basics Class for $60 (group, normally $80) or $100 (private, normally $150)
I think this story really highlights why these classes are needed:
In 1987 a gorilla who had been raised in captivity had to have her first baby taken away from her, because she did not know how to look after it.
When she got pregnant a second time the zookeepers tried to give the her dolls to look after, to teacher her how to be a mother, but she wasn't interested
Along came a La Leche Legaue Leader (similar to the Australian Breastfeeding Association).
She volunteered to teach the gorilla how to breastfeed and look after her baby. How? By feeding her own baby in front of the gorilla.
At first the gorilla was not all that interested, but by the third session, she was watching the leader with interest. And by the time her baby was born she was proudly showing off how well she was looking after the new baby
The issue was that the mother gorilla had never seen another mother care for a baby, so she didn't know what to do.
We are like that gorilla being raised in captivity - we don't see breastfeeding happening on a daily basis, so we don't know what to do, we need others to teach us