There are a number of organisations in the Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti Coast who provide support with breastfeeding. These include:
There are breastfeeding antenatal (pregnancy) classes available at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospital. These are also offered in Chinese Mandarin at Johnsonville Plunket Family Centre.
Please feel free to bring along a support person if you can.
The classes are free.
These classes are always well attended, and women are often turned away because they are full. If you find you are unable to attend, cancel your online booking so your place can be given to someone else.
There is also postnatal (after birth of baby) classes called Little Latch On if you stay at Wellington Hospital: Monday to Friday, 10.00-11.00am tell your visitors not to come at that time.
Links to resources and information discussed in classes
Hand expressing https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/video-hand-expressing-breastmilk
Using a pump and your hands at the same time to make more milk http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html
Remember, if you have a risk factor for low milk supply ( induction of labour, caesarean section, polycystic ovaries, diabetes, baby in NICU, IVF, obesity and some others) it is very valuable to have some colostrum for your baby, especially on the 2nd night.
Check with your LMC midwife or consultant if they are happy for you to start expressing and collecting your milk whilst you’re pregnant. If you experience uterine tightenings whilst expressing, or any bleeding, then stop and consult your LMC.
Breastfeeding DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shhSsbEcqkI
YouTube clip showing how to latch your baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l5BpqllTLg
http://www.skintoskincontact.com/ssc-based-mother.aspx why skin to skin is important
http://www.llli.org/resources.html La Leche League - for great information about breastfeeding
The Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative provides advice about breastfeeding, links to youtube, and if you want to know more about proven health benefits of breastfeeding
http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/good-latch-key-successful-breastfeedingThis site has graphics of latching baby at the breast, and hand expressing
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/breastfeeding-questions-support The NZ Ministry of Health’s breastfeeding website
These videos provide advice on how to breastfeed and solutions to problems you may encounter.