How Grandparents can help
Becoming new parents can be stressful!
All that responsibility… Exhaustion… Anxiety… New parents need all the support and help they can get and grandmothers can play a major role in that, – especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Encouraging your daughter or daughter-in-law to keep her little one close, and to follow his cues for feeding, will help her make plenty of milk, that will ensure the healthy development and growth of your grandchild. We know now that it is normal for babies to cry when they are put down – this helps make sure they are held, cuddled and fed, making them strong, secure, happy & intelligent. The help in house-chores, the special foods you offer, along with caring for older children, may help in giving dad, mum & baby time together to bond. |
Being a grandparent is such a joy, but also a big responsibility! Grandparents have at heart the well-being of their grandchildren. Sometimes because they worry that baby is not getting enough milk, they may suggest giving bottles of formula to top-up.
BUT – unless there is a medical reason, bottles are almost never the answer.
BUT – unless there is a medical reason, bottles are almost never the answer.
- Giving a bottle fills baby up with less nutritious, lower quality, food
- Giving a bottle means less breast milk is made for the next feed
- Giving bottles can make a new mum doubt herself and her ability as a good mother
- Giving a bottle can give baby colic, tummy bugs, reflux and more…
- Unnecessary bottles can cause long-term health problem
If you are worried about your grandchild’s feeding, encourage his mum or dad to seek support and advice
Mammas Breastfeeding Peer supporter
A midwife
A health visitor