Breastfeeding Matters by La Leche League GB

Thoughts and feelings when breastfeeding does not go to plan.

In this episode we are exploring the thoughts and feelingsthat can arise around breastfeeding when our journeys don’t go as planned.Research suggests that many parents find themselves stopping nursing earlier than they had hoped. And all too often, the grief that follows is overlooked orunsupported. If we are told that breastfeeding is natural, nothing prepares us for any challenges we may face. If we are told that breastfeeding is supposed to be painfulor that it does not work for many women, we may doubt our ability to do it. If we are supported at every step of the way, we can find thestrength to keep going if we choose to. This episodes dives deeper into why so many new parents areshocked by the challenges of breastfeeding and the complex feelings that can follow. We discuss how the intensity of our biological drive to breastfeed reaches our very core. Breastfeeding grief and trauma matters. Feeling dismissed bywell-meaning supporters who are trying to cheer us up can actually intensify our grief or sends us to a place where we can’t process it. Trust her if she tells you it matters and support her all theway. A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk [http://www.laleche.org.uk] https://laleche.org.uk/five-ways-help-breastfeeding-doesnt-go-expected/ [https://laleche.org.uk/five-ways-help-breastfeeding-doesnt-go-expected/] https://laleche.org.uk/getting-breastfeeding-on-track-after-a-difficult-start-the-3-keeps/ [https://laleche.org.uk/getting-breastfeeding-on-track-after-a-difficult-start-the-3-keeps/] https://laleche.org.uk/my-baby-needs-more-milk/ [https://laleche.org.uk/my-baby-needs-more-milk/] https://laleche.org.uk/weaning-from-supplements/ [https://laleche.org.uk/weaning-from-supplements/] https://laleche.org.uk/jaundice/ [https://laleche.org.uk/jaundice/] https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p224/WhyBFGriefTraumaMatter.html [https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p224/WhyBFGriefTraumaMatter.html] https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p76/BreastfeedingTakeTwo.html [https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p76/BreastfeedingTakeTwo.html] https://professoramybrown.co.uk/breastfeeding-grief [https://professoramybrown.co.uk/breastfeeding-grief]

Triple-feeding (and how ‘Three Keeps’ may help) – three mothers share their stories.

In this episode we are honoured to share three stories ofbreastfeeding mothers who for different reasons had to triple-feed their babies in the early weeks after birth. We hope that their stories  can help our listeners who are also facing the challenges of triple-feeding. While ‘triple-feeding’  is not an official medical term – it’s widely used in the breastfeeding world to indicate that the baby needs to receive nourishment in a number of different ways, e.g directly at the breast, via expressed milk,donor milk and formula. Today we are exploring how it may feel to have breastfeeding problems early on or to be faced with a triple-feeding plan. It may feel as if it’s ‘all gone wrong’ and the dreams youhad about feeding your baby are in ruins. With conflicting information and lack of support your confidence about breastfeeding your baby may seem compromised.Fortunately, babies are very adaptable and resilient, and so are their parents! With time, patience and, if necessary, skilled help, it is almost always possible to get feeding back on track after a difficult start. It is most certainly always possible to have a close, warm and happy feeding relationship with your baby – even if it might look different from what you had expected. ‘Three Keeps’ is the concept that has been widely shared inLa Leche League from our Charity’s inception. It focuses not only on expressing milk to feed baby, but also on the connection between mother and baby and howprotecting and encouraging skin to skin between baby and mother can help get breastfeeding back on track after a challenging start. A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and informationplease visit: www.laleche.org.uk [http://www.laleche.org.uk] https://laleche.org.uk/getting-breastfeeding-on-track-after-a-difficult-start-the-3-keeps/ [https://laleche.org.uk/getting-breastfeeding-on-track-after-a-difficult-start-the-3-keeps/] https://laleche.org.uk/five-ways-help-breastfeeding-doesnt-go-expected/ [https://laleche.org.uk/five-ways-help-breastfeeding-doesnt-go-expected/] https://laleche.org.uk/my-baby-needs-more-milk/ [https://laleche.org.uk/my-baby-needs-more-milk/] https://laleche.org.uk/weaning-from-supplements/ [https://laleche.org.uk/weaning-from-supplements/] https://laleche.org.uk/whats-big-deal-skin-skin/ [https://laleche.org.uk/whats-big-deal-skin-skin/] https://laleche.org.uk/jaundice/ [https://laleche.org.uk/jaundice/] https://laleche.org.uk/feeding-late-preterm-babies/ [https://laleche.org.uk/feeding-late-preterm-babies/]

When your breastfeeding baby turns one / Hector is one!

Sarah and Maria talk about how nursing may feel around this age and stage. This milestone is often deeply connected to breastfeeding goals, expectations and the context within which we are parenting. We reflect on our own inner voice and the way we speak to ourselves about what’s ‘right’, what’s ‘enough’, or what we ‘should’ be doing and how this inner voice shapes our behaviour and may conflict with the external expectations. When we are exhausted, touched out, or just need time to eat a meal in peace, the solution given to us is to stop breastfeeding. As if our needs can only be met if we are no longer breastfeeding. Our needs matter and we should not have to choose between meeting our children’s needs and our own. La Leche League philosophy values the unique relationship between mother and baby – that in the early years, a baby’s need to be with their mother is as basic as their need for food. What does it actually mean when we say we feel guilty and where do those feelings come from? How can we balance the needs of a breastfeeding toddler with our own wellbeing needs and other responsibilities? How do we approach weaning from breastfeeding if we are ready before the child is. A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parent to parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk [http://www.laleche.org.uk] https://laleche.org.uk/thinking-of-weaning/ [https://laleche.org.uk/thinking-of-weaning/] https://laleche.org.uk/after-weaning-what-next/ [https://laleche.org.uk/after-weaning-what-next/] https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-infancy/ [https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-infancy/] https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-a-year/ [https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-a-year/] https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-ends-suddenly/ [https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-ends-suddenly/] https://laleche.org.uk/still-nursing/ [https://laleche.org.uk/still-nursing/] https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EfJddj7oVOxW5kPqVVUTf?si=_w7oA4FgRFW8SBNCH3QzTA [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EfJddj7oVOxW5kPqVVUTf?si=_w7oA4FgRFW8SBNCH3QzTA] https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eI8gV23ahVcFXdmqXvdQu?si=McEgJhDRTU2XyT_px53GDA [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eI8gV23ahVcFXdmqXvdQu?si=McEgJhDRTU2XyT_px53GDA]

Mothers in Conversation for Black Breastfeeding Week 2025

Black Breastfeeding week is celebrated during the last weekof August. Its aim is to amplify Black women’s voices and lived experiences which have historically been underrepresented. In LLL, stories matter. Sharing our stories connects us withsomething bigger — the global community of mothers and peers, learning from and supporting each other. We invite you to access our free support and connect with others. Everyone’s experience is different, so today we’re really excited to welcome five families onto the podcast to share their perspectives.   The following questions are explored in this discussion: - Why breastfeeding matters to this group of women - What were the expectations of what motherhood would look like and what were the challenges when it came to receiving breastfeeding support - What information and resources they found helpful on theirnursing journeys  A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and information please visit: www.laleche.org.uk [www.laleche.org.uk]  https://laleche.org.uk/i-needed-a-likeminded-community/ [https://laleche.org.uk/i-needed-a-likeminded-community/] https://laleche.org.uk/natashas-journey-breastfeeding-mother-to-lll-leader/ [https://laleche.org.uk/natashas-journey-breastfeeding-mother-to-lll-leader/] https://laleche.org.uk/supporting-a-breastfeeding-mother/ [https://laleche.org.uk/supporting-a-breastfeeding-mother/]  https://laleche.org.uk/thinking-about-lll-leadership/ [ https://laleche.org.uk/thinking-about-lll-leadership/]  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dope-black-mums-podcast/id1570141425 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dope-black-mums-podcast/id1570141425]

Over to You Part 1 (four mothers and parents share their experience of having a new baby)

In this episode by LLLGB, volunteer breastfeedingcounsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova facilitate a discussion with Mothers and Parents from four families that received breastfeeding support from La Leche League GB. We continue with the question of Adjusting toMotherhood/Parenthood and dive deeper individual stories. We celebrate triumphs and honour challenges. We reflect on expectations and adjusting to reality. The following questions are explored in this honest andheart-warming discussion: -            What have we expected parenthood to feel like? -            How did adjustment to life with a small person look like? -            What has helped to feel more in control of or at peace with the new reality? -            Where has parenthood led you? A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and informationplease visit: www.laleche.org.uk [http://www.laleche.org.uk] https://llli.org/news/what-is-d-mer/ [https://llli.org/news/what-is-d-mer/] https://laleche.org.uk/dont-enjoy-breastfeeding/ [https://laleche.org.uk/dont-enjoy-breastfeeding/] https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/ [https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/] https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-in-community-needed-now-more-than-ever/ [https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-in-community-needed-now-more-than-ever/] What happens at LLL meeting? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf0HR4BLwTM]