Breastfeeding, it’s not always easy: More than Milk
Breastfeeding is a natural part of life but often doesn’t come naturally at all.
Most women struggle at some point in their breastfeeding journey, and few mums manage to achieve the recommended six months of exclusive breastfeeding.
With new mums inundated with the public health message ‘breast is best’, the pressure and feelings of failure are very real. That’s a sentiment that was all too familiar for Julia Daly – a certified lactation consultant, mother of three and paediatric nurse. Her business, More than Milk, was born out of a desire to help mums on their breastfeeding journey.
After 17 years of working with children and becoming a mother herself, Julia is passionate about the support she can offer other mums in what can be a stressful and confusing time.
More than Milk’s first offering – BelleMa breast pumps – were launched while Julia was still working at the hospital as a lactation consultant. This work gave her crucial insight into what Kiwi mums needed, which led to her distributing the “perfect breast pump”.
“I wanted to provide a pump that helped mums increase their supply, saved them from the hassle of hiring and trialling different pumps and ultimately offered them a pain-free experience,” says Julia.
Their newest pump, the BelleMa Euphoria Plus, is portable with two motors for easy double-pumping – mums can essentially halve their expressing time. And if there’s one thing new mums need, it’s more time!
Getting the right advice when it counts Julia also offers in-person and online breastfeeding consultations to provide one-on-one support and tailored plans.
Midnight Googling when you’re anxious, sleep-deprived and recovering from labour rarely provides the answers you need, which is why Julia developed this service.
“A big part of it is helping mums feel confident and at ease while navigating the different challenges. Breastfeeding can be much harder than first expected, and every journey is different,” says Julia.
Julia’s top five tips for breastfeeding success
1. “Feed your baby within the first hour of birth – before they enter post-birth recovery snooze mode.”
2. “Go skin-to-skin. It regulates your new babe’s temperature and helps stimulate your milk-producing hormones. You’ll also notice their feeding cues far more easily in this position.”
3. “Be prepared for an exhausting night or two. Go with the flow as your babe feeds what may seem like constantly. This brings in
your milk.”
4. “Master your latch – if you are unsure, ask for help! Nipple tenderness is common for the first 7-10 days, but if it extends beyond this, seek help.”
5. “Get the support you need – If it’s not going well, don’t suffer through it. Breastfeeding isn’t always easy, so get support as soon as you need it.”
Struggling with breastfeeding or simply want to be prepared for your journey ahead? Visit More than Milk for free advice and amazing products to support breastfeeding, or book a consultation with Julia.
www.morethanmilk.co.nz
@morethanmilknz
