Welcome to the Baby-Thrive

Blog

Stopping breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Stopping breastfeeding

If you decide to stop breastfeeding altogether: 

How to stop;
Phasing out breastfeeding gently will give you both time to get used to the idea.
Stopping gradually will also help protect against common problems like mastitis and low mood.
You'll probably find it easiest to drop 1 feed at a time. It does not matter which feed you drop first, so it will usually be a case of how it fits in with your life. If your baby is under 1yr you replace that feed with a bottle of formula or freezer stash or donor milk.

If your baby is over a year you can try offering water in a sippy cup and providing lots of nutrient-dense foods like avocado, sweet potato, egg yolk, salmon (& fluid rich foods such as watermelon, tomato, cucumber if they are not keen on water).

If you are wanting to stop swiftly the NHS suggest dropping a feed each 3+ days while watching for any signs of engorgement & checking your baby’s mood and nappies.

Of course you can also stop breastfeeding slowly…just gradually offer less breastfeeding or pump for shorter periods and over time your breastmilk supply will likely slow down.

Quotes;

You are everything your baby needs

Every drop of milk you gave to your baby is valued

Read More
Mastitis treatment
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Mastitis treatment

Learn the latest 2022 guidelines for treating mastitis without antibiotics. Discover effective home treatments like ice, ibuprofen, massage, and ultrasound therapy. Find out how sunflower lecithin can help prevent recurrence and support healthy breastfeeding.

Read More
Sleepy babies
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Sleepy babies

Are you concerned that your baby is sleeping so much they are not feeding enough? You are here: Home / Breastfeeding information / Sleepy Baby – Why And What To Do

Nobody likes to disturb a sleeping baby, but sometimes a baby can be too sleepy for their own good. At times like this they may need you to take action.

Your newborn baby needs to nurse actively for one or both breast at each feed. Offer the second breast after they seem to have finished at the first, although they may not want both sides at every feed. 

Read More
6 tips for improved baby sleep
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

6 tips for improved baby sleep

Before I was at Lactation Consultant, and before I was a mother, I was a nanny for 20 years working in London, Sussex, Australia and America. I looked after lots of babies from newborn and especially during their first year or two.

It's really common that new parents ask me about baby sleep, and baby sleep & feeding seem to be intertwined.

Read More
Shallow latch can cause painful breastfeeding and shaped nipples-how do you fix it?
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Shallow latch can cause painful breastfeeding and shaped nipples-how do you fix it?

Sometimes breaking the seal and taking baby off is necessary (if there is a lot of pain you might be damaging your nipples and your breastfeeding relationship).

But taking babies off and trying to re-latch can sometimes just get everyone stressed and babies struggle to latch well when they are feeling agitated.

There are several things you can check and small alterations and adjustments you can make while your baby is still latched.

Read More
Is it Worth Getting a Lactation Consultant?
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Is it Worth Getting a Lactation Consultant?

Have you been breastfeeding for a while but not confident your baby is feeding effectively?

Are you struggling to produce enough breastmilk? Or worried abut your baby’s weight gain?

If so, you may want to consider getting a lactation consultant.

A lactation consultant has the highest qualification in breastfeeding, globally. More than a midwife or paediatric dietitian.

A lot of my work includes supporting with common problems such as low milk supply, positioning and attachment or pumping plan for returning to employment.

However Lactation consultants are qualified to support mothers with some very specialist situations such as inducing lactation (for instance in cases of surrogacy or adoption some mothers induce breast milk supply without a pregnancy) or with using supplementary nursing systems when supply is low.

Read More
My journey to becoming a lactation consultant.
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

My journey to becoming a lactation consultant.

It’s been quite a journey to become a private IBCLC (international board certified lactation consultant).

IBCLC is the gold-standard professional qualification in breastfeeding, globally recognised.

I first became a breastfeeding counsellor, completed more than 130 hours advanced training in breastfeeding and lactation, logged 1,000 hours working with breastfeeding mothers & babies and completed a 4 hour exam.

Read More
Tummy Time.
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Tummy Time.

Babies tend to spend a lot of time on their backs they go from the car seat in the bassinet to the play mat, may be a “babygym” but still they're on their back.

Tummy time helps to prevent flat head syndrome builds strengthens muscles in the neck back and tummy as well as shoulder stability for head control and motor skills.

Tummy time aids digestion reducing symptoms of colic reflux and wind.

Read More
Skin to skin
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Skin to skin

Your newborn is so neurologically immature that they cannot actually regulate their body temperature, heart-rate or breathing without being in your presence*.

Many parents are familiar with “the golden hour” immediately after birth and understand the importance of skin-to-skin at that stage.

But really skin to skin in the early days should be as much as possible day and night (see my blog on sleep re bed-sharing)

Read More
Where babies sleep
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

Where babies sleep

Many parents find their baby won't sleep alone, the baby will not settle in a crib, cot or bassinet despite safe sleep advice. Parents are often concerned about SIDS and cot-death if they share the bed with their baby. Here you will find information and research about how breastfeeding reduces risk of sudden infant death syndrome by approximately 50% at all ages throughout infancy.

Read More
Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding in public
Sally Rickard Sally Rickard

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding in public

Parents frequently tell me after they have been to my breastfeeding support group that it was their first experience of breastfeeding in public. If you feel a little unsure about breastfeeding in public then a baby group or family friendly local cafe can be a really good opportunity to practice. Top tips if you’re feeling little trepidatious. What are your rights? What to wear? How to do it

Read More