maternity
weight after birth. This alone is not a
medical indication for supplementation,
however, many women loose
confidence when they see this weight
loss and start supplementing too soon.
Studies have shown that immediate
skin-to-skin and rooming in with the
mother improve breastfeeding outcomes.
Unfortunately neither of these options are
widely practised in Hong Kong.
Another mistake is not getting help
quickly enough to remedy latching
issues, low supply or engorgement.
How can breastfeeding mums
prevent sore nipples?
A good latch can mostly prevent sore
nipples. Concentrate on the latch
throughout the feed while learning to
breastfeed as the latch may start off
well but then slip back, which means
the feed is not effective and the nipple
can be damaged.
The baby’s chin should always
touch the breast and its neck should
be extended. Ideally a finger should be
able to pass between the baby’s nose
and the breast.
Other causes of damaged nipples
may be due to tongue or lip tie.
If the nipples are damaged seek help
from a qualified Lactation Consultant
(you can check if a person is a board
certified Lactation on the IBCLC site).
How do you know if your baby is
getting enough milk?
Look for swallows when feeding, not
just sucks. Depending on the age of the
baby you should see an increase in the
amount of wet and dirty nappies. Urine
should be clear and stools become
yellow and grainy in the early days then
quite liquid, yellow or dark green.
An average weight gain of between
20-40 grams and the baby should be
back to birthweight by around 10 days.
When is it ok to start expressing?
There are many reasons why you may
need to express in the first few weeks
but, if all is going well, you may start to
express once the baby is back to birth
weight or around two to three weeks so
that a bottle of expressed breast milk
may be introduced if required. Many
women never express, which is fine, but
remember, if you plan to give a baby a
bottle eventually, it is usually easier to
do so in the first six weeks. You should
maintain the use of the bottle regularly. health visitor, lactation consultant and
community nurse with more than 35
years experience, Yvonne Heavyside is
highly regarded throughout Hong Kong
for her advice on breastfeeding
https://thefamilyzone.hk/about-us/
about-us/
Does breastfeeding help mums
to loose weight or is this a myth? Annerley Midwives
Annerley Midwives offers one hour
postnatal/breastfeeding home visits as
well as drop in breastfeeding clinics.
www.annerley.com.hk
Some women actually retain a little
weight when breastfeeding but loose
it quickly when they stop. I have not
read of any evidence-based studies
that support breastfeeding and weight
loss. However it is well documented
that breastfeeding helps the uterus to
contract more quickly.
What’s your advice to mums
who would like to enjoy a night
out with a few glasses of wine?
It is fine to breastfeed and have a glass
of wine. Always breastfeed first and
enjoy a drink immediately afterwards
as less alcohol will end up in the milk.
Be careful not to get drunk as you may
end up falling asleep whilst holding the
baby, which could have catastrophic
consequences. If you have low supply
avoid alcohol as this can dehydrate and
impact supply.
What food should mums avoid
while breastfeeding?
There are no foods or drinks a mother
should avoid. But if the baby is gassy
or it has gastric reflux then she may
wish to consider avoiding dairy food,
citrus and highly acidic food and strong
spices. Coffee may cause the baby to
be jittery, particularly in the early days.
Everdawn Midwives
English and Cantonese advice for
breastfeeding mums. Mrs Chee has
quite a following. Tel: 9417 6366
A Mother’s Touch
A visit in hospital by the Mother’s Touch
breastfeeding support practitioner
can help alleviate problems with
sore nipples and establish good
feeding habits right from the start,
benefitting you and your baby.
www.amotherstouch.com.hk/
breastfeeding-baby-care-support
Mum’s the Word
Run by Melanie Clough, a UK and HK
registered midwife with over 20 years
experience, Mum’s the Word offers
breastfeeding support – be it a single
visit for reassurance or multiple visits.
www.mumstheword.expert
La Leche League Hong Kong
A non-profit organisation dedicated to
providing support , encouragement
and information to women who want to
breastfeed. www.lll-hk.org
Tips for transitioning to formula? Maternal & Child Health Centres
The government provides maternal
and Child health centres across
Hong Kong. Prior appointments can
be made online. www.fhs.gov.hk/
english/centre_det/maternal/
maternal.html
Lactation Advice in Hong Kong Family Health Service
Breastfeeding Hotline
Tel: 3618 7450
Introduce formula slowly. Watch for
allergies such as a rash around the
mouth, hives and swelling of the
face. It is better to introduce formula
slowly to a breastfed baby as sudden
introduction may cause constipation.
The Family Zone
Established in 2005 by British trained
Spring 2019
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