Breastfeeding Matters by La Leche League GB

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]

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]

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]

In this episode by LLLGB, volunteer breastfeedingcounsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova catch up with one of LLLGB professional advisors – infant sleep researcher Professor Helen Ball. Helen is an Anthropologist and Director of the Infancy & Sleep Centre at Durham University. In her latest book How Babies Sleep she brings together science, anthropological insight and experience to help provide parents with information on what to expect during the first 365 nights with a new baby. The past century and a half has seen rapid change in thenature of adult lives in the West and we’ve needed babies’ sleep to comply. The mismatch we have created has caused our babies’ biology to be framed as ‘baby sleep problems’, and infants are often ‘treated’ using behavioural and clinicalinterventions. The following topics are explored in this insightful andreassuring episode: 1. What we can expect baby sleep to look like during the first year 2. What impact culture has on our understanding of babies’ sleep 3. What parents need to be able to support their child’s sleep needs. 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/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/ [https://laleche.org.uk/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/] https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-at-night/ [https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-at-night/] https://www.basisonline.org.uk/about-us/ [https://www.basisonline.org.uk/about-us/] Helen’s Book: https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p263/How-Babies-Sleep.html [https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p263/How-Babies-Sleep.html]

This episode is a tribute to Naomi Stadlen, who died on 06June 2025. We are releasing part of our discussion with Naomi which we recorded in February 2025. Naomi was a retired psychotherapist and LLL Leader. She saw a mother’s role as unique and one that needs to be better understood and their crucial contributions recognised. She felt we need more words to validate what mothersare doing, especially as they start to relate to their babies, and then as they continue relating to their growing children, for the rest of their lives. 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 knowledgethat is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research. Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and information please visit:www.laleche.org.uk Naomi Stadlen’s books: What Mothers Do [What%20Mothers%20Do] https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p183/HowMothersLove.html [https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p183/HowMothersLove.html] ⁠https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p235/WhatMothersLearn.html⁠ [https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p235/WhatMothersLearn.html] ⁠https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p253/WhyGrandmothersMatter.html⁠ [https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p253/WhyGrandmothersMatter.html] ⁠https://pinterandmartin.com/products/a-grand-quarrel⁠ [https://pinterandmartin.com/products/a-grand-quarrel]