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Breastfeeding supporters are welcome to use the ideas given here and to download one image or document for personal use. Please respect copyright by not photocopying documents, and by acknowledging the source and author. Multiple copies of these resources are available from me for purchase.
See the Fit to Bust page for a book of breastfeeding songs and other resources to get the message across in an amusing way, and raise funds for Baby Milk Action at the same time. Some of my songs are now on YouTube. I joined protesters on 18 July 2008, singing a campaign song on Parliament Square. Click here. My song celebrating La Leche League is here. And a rather chaotic rendition of my song ‘Big Feeder’ is here.
Breast models
Using a breast model can be very helpful to show mothers how and where the baby attaches, and how to hand express milk. It also makes them laugh!
A knitted breast pattern is available at http://www.lcgb.org/shop.html, along with other resources I have created.
Here’s my sock breast and baby’s mouth:
I made this during a month-long International Breastfeeding Practice and Policy Course at the Institute of Child Health, London, in 1998. At the time, I was based at Kingston Hospital in Surrey. Dr Felicity Savage-King, who has years of experience in helping mothers with breastfeeding in developing countries, showed us how to make a sock breast and a doll out of two towels. She offered prizes for the best breast and doll. My breast, accompanied by a baby’s mouth made from a juice-bottle top and balloon, won a video of Breastfeeding Promotion in Kingston Hospital – Jamaica.
An article I wrote for The Practising Midwife in 2001, entitled ‘Sock it to me – using a breast model to enable women to establish lactation’, was included in Midwifery: Best Practice 2 in 2004 (ed: Sarah Wickham).
Download the instructions for making the Sockbreast here
Knappies
I have also designed Knitted Knappies with coloured circles to show how baby’s poo changes in the first 5 days, when feeding is going well. It can help alert parents and health workers to early signs of inadequate intake.
Download a pattern for the Knitted Knappy here
Fit to Bust hat modelled by my godson Thomas Strong, exclusively fitted to bust at four months of age
Download a pattern for the Fit to Bust hat here
Latch Key
L lean back comfortably
A allow baby to rest on your body
T take off outer clothing
C check breast is soft for baby to grasp
H help baby very gently
K keep asking for help if it hurts
E express milk if necessary
Y your nipples should look the same after feeding
Use this to explain the importance of a good attachment, without prescriptive rules. The inspiration came from Suzanne Colson’s Biological Nurturing research which showed that empowerment is more important than instruction.
Click here to download the Latchkey document with the text and image.