This is my final post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt. After this, I promise not to talk about breastfeeding for at least a week. Today’s topic is Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths.
I’ve heard a few people say that breastfeeding is painful, and that’s why they didn’t carry on, so I wanted to address this. I’m not going to start preaching, and saying that breastfeeding isn’t painful, because it can be. I know it can be. I had teardrops landing on my newborn’s face as she fed at 3am. I know it can fucking hurt.
But, and this is what I want to get across in the post, it doesn’t have to. If you are finding breastfeeding painful, there’s something wrong. Maybe your newborn has a lazy latch, maybe you have a blocked duct, maybe it’s just inexperience - but whatever it is, it’s fixable.
When I was pregnant, my lovely friend Felicity bought me a Breastfeeding Support Kit from Earth Mama Angel Baby. The kit really came in useful, and I used the contents a lot during the first few months. The best product (probably ever in the history of products) was the Natural Nipple Butter. When Ebony was still teeny tiny, and neither of us quite yet knew how to breastfeed, I would finish a feed and reach straight for the nipple butter.
One of the best things about the product was that it’s edible, so I didn’t have to worry about Ebony’s next feed. The other great thing about this product is that it’s vegan. Most similar products contain lanolin which is taken from wool, so it’s not vegan friendly. It’s estimated that up to a third of wool actually comes from the slaughterhouse. I avoid animal products, and so I was really happy that this product was vegan certified. The product is made with natural, mostly organic, ingredients. It is nice to apply, and works unbelievably well.
I found it instantly soothing, and it definitely helped to speed up healing or discomfort. I truly can’t recommend it enough. I still have my tub lying around, just in case.
The myth I’d like to dispel is that breastfeeding is painful, well, that it has to be. It doesn’t. And if it is, get help. Contact your midwife/health visitor/local peer supporter/breastfeeding warrior friend, and tell them you’re in pain. And, while you’re at it, get some Natural Nipple Butter to help soothe your poor, poor nipples.
When I decided to write this post, I contacted Earth Mama Angel Baby and asked if they would like to offer a prize, and because they are super nice people, they said yes. So, one lucky reader will win one tub of Natural Nipple Butter, and another lucky reader will win one box of Milkmaid Tea. All you need to do to enter, is fill in the Rafflecopter below. Good luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
To find out more about the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt, click here.
There are loads of bloggers taking part in this event, so please check out some of the posts. Mum 2 Baby Insomniac, Petit Mom, Little Scribbles, Simply Hayley and sorry about the mess are all taking part in the event, so feel free to pay them a visit!
a Rafflecopter giveaway ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions
