Cradles Breastfeeding Group, Ilkeston

Been there... apologies to the postman again!

Did your newborn baby smile at you?

Breastfeeding is good for your health too!

Sometimes we worry that breastfeeding (particularly to sleep, or at night) will harm our children's teeth. Luckily, milk goes to the back of the throat and is swallowed, so doesn't pool around or touch any teeth.

One very awesome lactation consultant talking alcohol and breastfeeding on BBC Breakfast!

We are entering the holiday season! Talk with us if you've got any concerns about breastfeeding.

What an amazing photo! I remember finding this out when I was trying to hand-express into a narrow container 🙈 -Francesca

"It is cruel to teach mothers that “breast is best” and then fail to support them. Mothers are heeding. Mothers are listening. The government is not. They are not providing mothers with the help and the support they need."
At Cradles, we offer support at our Thursday drop-in sessions, our monthly toddler meets, in our facebook chat group, and through our facebook messages. We also work with the National Breastfeeding Helpline (0300 100 0212), which is staffed by volunteers 9:30am - 9:30pm every day of the year. Please reach out - no question is too silly!

https://www.unicef.org.uk/…/breastfeedi ng-peer-support-wha…/
Cradles groups are run by Peer Supporters who have had training around common breastfeeding issues and have all breastfed their own babies. Peer support is recommended by UNICEF to help mothers establish and continue to breastfeed. However, lots of peer support - that is, helping other people like you - is done informally, between friends and family, too. Have you ever had to help a friend out with a breastfeeding question?

Have you ever felt you might explode if one more person asks "Is he sleeping through yet?"?!
The ISIS (Infant Sleep Information Source) is a great website full of research and facts about biologically normal sleep behaviours for babyhood and beyond.
https://www.isisonline.org.uk/

What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the very first milk your body produces and is just what your baby needs in the first few days. It is very concentrated in sugars, antibodies and protein and is usually a yellow or golden colour. Your baby only needs about a teaspoonful at each feed.
https://www.laleche.org.uk/beginning-brea stfeeding/

Babies, particularly in the first few weeks and months, often cluster feed in the evenings. My top tip would be to have pizza for tea (as you can eat it one handed!) What helped you to survive cluster feeding?
https://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting- faq/fussy-evening/

What a lovely relaxed group I would recommend it to those considering breastfeeding and for those already breastfeeding to speak to women that can support each other.

Such a wonderful little group that I'm proud to be a part of. There's no such thing as a daft question or a worry that they won't help you with. These ladies play a massive part in my support system. You're made to feel at ease from the moment you walk in . I just LOVE this group. �

I never used a 'support group' before, but I would highly recommend cradles anyone considering to breastfeed. They are an amazing group of women, so supportive and all really down to earth. Its great place to openly chat about sore/ cracked nipples, breast pads, pumps, leaky boobs and choo over all the cute babies. X

I don't know what I would have done without Cradles this week. I've had to have surgery and they have been there to answer all of my questions re: feeding and general anesthetic and pain relief and totally put my mind at rest saving a lot of stress and worry �

Fantastic support, thanks so much for all of your help x

Cradles were my support network with my nightmare of getting to grips with feeding my first child almost 4 years ago. Even though I no longer live in an area covered by them they have been an incredible support to me with my second! Their knowledge is amazing and their support is invaluable! A priceless service! Thank you all so much xx

Basically I would not have done it without cradles support workers visiting our home after my first baby arrived home. I was clueless! I knew no one who had breastfed. I was bottle fed formula, so were my siblings and so were their children. But I was stubborn. I wanted to breastfeed her, not try to.. I wanted to because I knew it was best from everything I had read. I got the baby holds wrong, I got the latch wrong, I had engorgement & extremely sore cracked nips but I kept going (with exaggerated latch technique and lansinoh). I had flu and hubby had to bring her to me to feed.. and I kept going. Baby got oral thrush and kindly shared to my boobs, we had medication and kept going. It was sooo worth it because I continued to have an amazing 16m breastfeeding journey and another 22m journey with my second child. Something I will always cherish... I did that. THANK YOU CRADLES!

After cup feeding formula for 4 days and on the brink of giving up the idea of breast feeding, the cradles girls sorted us out! Without their determination and incredible support I wouldn't have been able to fulfill my hopes of breast feeding. Can't recommend or thank them enough :)