Best position for breastfeeding? One where mum and baby feel comfortable and secure. A great video from @cuidadosdelreciennacido

Thanks for sharing this great video Sarah Ockwell-Smith https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=297&v=6bul1meciGE

Interesting little film. Anyone else just want to pick up and hold that virtual little baby?! It's a pity they didn't mention the importance of human contact and touch for baby's development.

'Your baby thinks you are the greatest rock star there is when you are singing to them...' https://www.kinderling.com.au/news/power-lullabies-why-you-should-sing-them #polyvagaltheory #thatssopolyvagal #humanconnection #neuroscience

This half-day, Breastfeeding Preparation workshop is uniquely offered in Galway by Amanda Glynn IBCLC, Lactation Consultant at Lactation.ie. Research has shown that mothers who spend an average total of three hours with a lactation consultant holding the IBCLC credential are almost three times more likely to start breastfeeding their newborns and to still be breastfeeding three months later (Bonuck et al, 2014). Participants have access to a private, client-only area of my website where a selection of videos from the class and additional resources can be viewed. For a flavour of what Galway mums and health professionals have been saying about the Lactation.ie Breastfeeding Preparation Workshop and other services, please see here: https://www.lactation.ie/testimonials/

This came up at the end of my last breastfeeding workshop. It would be lovely to be able to say that consuming your placenta will help boost your milk supply but we have ZERO evidence that this is the case. Worringly, there is some evidence that the practice may be harmful. Centre for Disease Control & Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6625a4.htm http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/why-you-shouldnt-eat-your-placenta-20171115-gzmc14.html https://www.happygoatproductions.com/blog/2017/9/6/a-lactation-consultants-perspective-on-placenta-encapsulation

More great research from Dr Amy Brown, Associate Professor in Child Public Health. 'This research from the Department of Public Health, Policy and Social Sciences adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests baby-led weaning does not pose a choking risk, as long as those foods known to be a choking risk to babies are avoided....regardless of their method of weaning a caregiver should always stay with their baby throughout a meal.' Check out the link for information on food shapes/size and a list of what to avoid. http://www.swansea.ac.uk/media-centre/latest-research/researchfindsbabiesthatfeedthemselveshavenoincreasedriskofchoking.php

"No one talks about the negative thoughts new mothers have after they have a baby. Not healthcare providers. Not mothers. Not family members. Even though there is increased attention to pregnancy and postpartum mental health, we remain stunned to hear that sometimes, a mother doesn’t feel so great about being a mother. There are times when it is just plain hard, exhausting and wearisome. Sometimes, it’s terrifying." ~ Karen Kleiman https://www.babble.com/parenting/speakthesecret-comic-series-postpartum-stress-center/?cmp=smc%7C1191962168

“in light of the male infant’s slower brain maturation, the secure mother’s attachment-regulating function as a sensitively responsive, interactive affect regulator of his immature right brain in the first year is essential to optimal male socioemotional development.” ~ Dr. Allan Schore, clinical psychologist Read Dr Schore's review of empirical research here: All Our Sons: The Developmental Neurobiology and Neuroendocrinology of Boys at Risk https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28042663/

How often you hold your baby can affect their molecular profile! - Fascinating research from University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. 'The study showed that children who had been more distressed as infants and had received less physical contact had a molecular profile in their cells that was underdeveloped for their age. Scientists found consistent methylation differences between high-contact and low-contact children at five specific DNA sites. Two of these sites fall within genes: one plays a role in the immune system, and the other is involved in metabolism. However, the downstream effects of these epigenetic changes on child development and health aren’t known yet. The children who experienced higher distress and received relatively little contact had an “epigenetic age” that was lower than would be expected, given their actual age. A discrepancy between epigenetic age and chronological age has been linked to poor health in some recent studies' http://www.med.ubc.ca/holding-infants-or-not-can-leave-traces-on-their-genes/

Olwen from Born to be Carried is offering a fantastic ring sling workshop on 15th December in Galway. 'At the workshop you will learn how to carry your baby safely and in comfort using a ring sling. Weighted demonstration dolls will be provided for learning and practice. Suitable for new and expectant parents and for parents of older babies. ' ~ Born to be Carried