Issue No. 18

At the Active Birth Centre new parents are especially interested in the topics I've included in this issue. Immunisation is a big dilemma as there are probably more questions than answers on this important topic - so I've tried to give you some basic information to help with your decisions.

Learning to express milk is a very useful skill if someone else needs to feed your breastfed baby. Experience has shown us that once breastfeeding has settled this can be a good time for you and your baby to learn about it. I've also included the latest information about bottle feeding for those who choose to mixed feed or formula fee

Baby massage is one of the most valuable skills a parent can have. The benefits to your baby and to your relationship with your baby are immense. So I'm very delighted to pass on some of the techniques parents learn in our classes.
The article on sleep is a must. Most new parents find night time parenting a challenge and understanding natural sleep physiology can make all the difference.

I once heard a saying that the mother shapes the baby and the baby shapes the mother!
This will happen day by day throughout the first year provided you are eating good nourishing food.

* Breastfeeding makes weight loss happen naturally and faster. Every time your baby feeds your body produces the hormone oxytocin which makes the uterus contract back to it's pre pregnant state.

* Breastfeeding will, in the long term, help your breasts to stay shapely. Most breast changes happen in pregnancy. Make sure you wear a well fitted feeding bra and watch your posture when you feed and when you carry your baby.

* Breastfeeding contributes to your health, lowering the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers. It also protects against osteoporosis, a loss of bone density which is common in women around the time of menopause.

* Breastfeeding is also a natural way to help prevent another pregnancy. The mothering hormone 'prolactin' tends to suppress ovulation in a fully breastfeeding mother. However I'm afraid you can't rely on it for contraception, as you cannot know when the first ovulation will occur. It can be as late as 18 months after birth but can also occur at any time.

Continuing to breastfeed has many well known benefits for you and your baby. The hormones your body releases while breastfeeding are naturally calming for you both. The mellow times as your baby feeds and drifts off to sleep are 'rest and recovery' times for you, amongst the hard work of mothering. So luxuriate in feeding times as your chance to relax. Then while your baby sleeps peacefully after feeding, have a rest yourself. Looking at it this way, you get plenty of time to unwind and rest though the day and at night, even if your baby wakes several times to feed!