Boobdudes, Saltford Support Website and Groups

What a fantastic name for a breastfeeding support site - www.boobdudes.info has lots of  articles and other mum’s breastfeeding experiences. The site is run by a mum of 3 with over 48months (and counting!) of personal breastfeeding experience.  She has been providing mother to mother breastfeeding support for over 7 years through Salford support groups, as well as over the phone and on line.

Here are Boobdudes Boobdudes  10 Top Tips for happy toddlers during breastfeeding, the full article and more great stuff is on the website www.boobdudes.info
BE PREPARED. Before you start to feed get everything you think you might need to hand. Keep the door or stair gate closed so no one wonders away out of sight.
HAVE A SNACK READY. You can guarantee that as soon as you start to feed a little person will decide they are thirsty or hungry so grab a drink and snack for them before you start to feed. Grapes or raisins are great because they take time for little fingers to eat. If its near lunchtime try settling them down with their lunch next to you whilst you feed.
STORYTIME. Keep a few favourite books ready to read together at feed time. Toddlers love snuggling in next to mum so its an ideal time to look at a book. Ask them to hold the book or help turn the pages. Or keep a favourite episode of Peppa Pig or or The Night Garden in the DVD player ready to switch on. If they only get to watch it at feed times it becomes a treat.
SPECIAL TOYS. Keep a small basket of different toys or puzzles that you can get out at feed time. You could even let your big one choose a special toy or teddy themselves that they get to play with whilst you are feeding. Little girls love to sit with mum and breastfeed their dolls.
PRAISE AND ATTENTION: When baby is asleep or content to be put down lavish attention on your toddler. If they are getting quality mum time between feeds they may be happier to play independently whilst you are feeding. Praise them for playing nicely whilst you are feeding and talk to them about what they are doing as you feed baby.
A SPECIAL JOB. Making your big girl or boy feel a part of caring for the baby really helps. Involve them in baby’s care by giving them little jobs such as getting a clean nappy from the bag, or choosing baby’s clothes for the day. Praise them for being kind to baby, and tell them how much baby loves to watch them play.
ACCEPT HELP. It’s hard to accept help sometimes, we have this built in guilt mechanism that says if we ask for help we aren’t coping, or we should be able to cope with baby because we’ve done it all before. But looking after 2 little ones is hard work and if you have visitors make the most of them being there. If they ask if you need anything doing don’t hide the mountain of washing up, get them to do it! It will give you more time, and energy, for both your little ones. In the early days when people come to meet the new baby ask them to play with your toddler first. Then they can have a cuddle with baby later on. If they bring presents let your toddler open them and make sure they get a few treats too.
GO OUT. It may sound ridiculous when you’re totally exhausted, and it can be a major operation getting 2 little ones out the door some days, but going out makes a big difference. Go to toddlers, storytime, an any other groups you can find. There are always plenty of mums eager to cuddle baby whilst you play with your toddler, and willing hands to care for them whilst you feed baby. Plus it tires them both out so hopefully they will sleep and let you get some rest later in the day!
TALK. Even very young children can understand a baby’s need for food. Explain to your child simply what baby is doing and why, let them see how the baby feeds. If you breastfeed them tell them about what they did when they were a baby and how you enjoyed feeding them. For slightly older children you can explain how good mummy milk is for babies, that it keeps them healthy and helps them grow.
ENJOY. Time flies so fast so enjoy the special relationship you have with your little ones. Before you know it the sleepless nights will have ended and you’ll be waving your little ones off to school. Having 2 little ones is exhausting and probably the hardest stage but the rewards of a close age gap will be reaped as they learn to play together and become friends. It’s amazing seeing how siblings grow and develop together.