Can hypnosis really help breastfeeding?

The answer is an emphatic yes! It's national breastfeeding week and the focus has turned to the imnportance of breastfeeding for your baby. I fed one of my boys for a year and the other for 7 months and I loved it. I can't say it was easy at first, while we prepare for the birth, we are just told that breastfeeding is best and that we need to let baby suckle straight away - but there is no real guidence or advice antenatally.

I was all geared up with visions of me lovingly feeding my baby from the word go, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. When I was in hospital I stuggled to get my son to latch on, I became anxious and stressed - I remember vividly the challenge of finding a comfortable position - my breasts blew up like balloons on the third day and a midwife ripped up a sheet and bound my breasts after cold compresses wouldn't work while telling me I was a big cry baby. This was because baby blues had well and truly set in and by this time I was bawling like my baby. I was confused, disorientated and felt imposed upon by the staff.

At the same time I read an atricle by a journalist in the Times saying she reached a point of enlightenment when she was lying in a cold bath having her breasts massaged by a stranger and said "enough"!

However I persevered, I was so determined to feed, but it wasn't until I relaxed and really began to trust in my body and my baby's innate ability to feed that it really settled down. I learnt that when I was relaxed my milk flowed better, when I drank more that I had more milk and that when I ate better and was calm my baby was more willing to feed.

After about 6 weeks we really got to grips with it and the tears were all worth it. I could feed anywhere, at anytime knowing my baby was getting the best food. One of my happiest memories is that wonderful last feed of the evening when you snuggle up and have real quality time with your baby. I get all misty eyed thinking about it now, and still miss that closeness.

I find it frustrating that there is so much pressure on mums to feed without proper preparation and knowledge. Most mums do need guidence at first and the added pressure and stress of having to feed only exacerbates the problems and leads to statements like "I couldn't produce milk" or "I had a really big hungry baby and I couldn't satisfy it". Stress is known to compromise milk supply so it is crucial mum remains comfortable, confident and relaxed.

If you are relaxed and trust in your body then your milk flow will respond. Your baby is working in harmony with you and if you are supported, prepared and able to trust in your body then you can feed you baby. I always say to my mums, if you can't do it get help from someone you trust. There are some fabulous lactation consultants and the cost of them far outweighs the cost of formula over a 1 year and is unparalled in the value to your baby's emotional and physical well being.

Hypnosis can help by teaching you to relax, to trust in your body, and to visualise your milk flow, unobstructed and free flowing. I encourage mums to listen to one of my cds when they are feeding and to learn self-hypnosis techniques which encourage milk flow.

Most importantly be happy, a happy mum means a happy baby whatever you choose.

To celebrate breastfeeding week I have a free 10 minute mp3 to help you relax during breastfeeding and encourage milk flow. Click here if you want a copy and most of all enjoy the gift that feeding your baby can be.

Happy breastfeeding week....