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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.

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What might a routine look like at 6 months old?
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

What might a routine look like at 6 months old?

Before I was at Lactation Consultant, and before I was a mother, I was a nanny for 20 years. I looked after lots of babies from newborn and especially during their first year or two. In my experience, after babies are six months old, I feel it is easier to gently manipulate them into a routine. Maybe it's developmental, babies, this age do seem to start having more predictable habits.

It's really common that new parents ask me what kind of sleep routine babies should have. Much time and energy can be spent trying to enforce a routine on babies before six months and I don't personally find it helpful. It can even be a source of stress and feel rather counter-productive.

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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.

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How to Prepare for an Appointment with a Lactation Consultant?
Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard Breastfeeding Support Sally Rickard

How to Prepare for an Appointment with a Lactation Consultant?

1, Please don’t tidy up, or even offer me a cuppa!

2, I ask families to show me their child’s Red book where I can look at centiles & weights.

3, I’ll take off my shoes and wash my hands when I arrive, please have paper towels or a new, clean towel for me. I also ask for a clean blanket or muslin to lie across my lap when I examine my baby.

4, Have any breastfeeding equipment handy. If you are using a pump, nursing pillow or even a herbal supplement, have them available so we can look at them together.

5, Information- I will be asking you how often your baby feeds for how long and how many poos and wet nappies each 24 hours your baby produces. .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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