Breastfeeding Matters by La Leche League GB

• How Babies Sleep: A Science-Based Guide to the First 365 Days and Nights – debunking sleep-related myths and understanding the Science behind Infant Sleep with Helen Ball

  In this episode by LLLGB, volunteer breastfeedingcounsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova catch up with one of LLLGB professional advisors – infant sleep researcher Professor Helen Ball. Helen is an Anthropologist and Director of the Infancy & Sleep Centre at Durham University. In her latest book How Babies Sleep she brings together science, anthropological insight and experience to help provide parents with information on what to expect during the first 365 nights with a new baby.The past century and a half has seen rapid change in thenature of adult lives in the West and we’ve needed babies’ sleep to comply. The mismatch we have created has caused our babies’ biology to be framed as ‘baby sleep problems’, and infants are often ‘treated’ using behavioural and clinicalinterventions.The following topics are explored in this insightful andreassuring episode: What we can expect baby sleep to look like during the first yearWhat impact culture has on our understanding of babies’ sleepWhat parents need to be able to support their child’s sleep needs.A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and informationplease visit: www.laleche.org.ukhttps://laleche.org.uk/safe-sleep-the-breastfed-baby/https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-at-night/https://www.basisonline.org.uk/about-us/Helen’s Book:https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p263/How-Babies-Sleep.html

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• In Memory of Naomi Stadlen (1942-2025)

  This episode is a tribute to Naomi Stadlen, who died on 06June 2025. We are releasing part of our discussion with Naomi which we recorded in February 2025. Naomi was a retired psychotherapist and LLL Leader. She saw a mother’s role as unique and one that needs to be better understood and their crucial contributions recognised. She felt we need more words to validate what mothersare doing, especially as they start to relate to their babies, and then as they continue relating to their growing children, for the rest of their lives.LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledgethat is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.Episode Notes:For breastfeeding support and information please visit:www.laleche.org.uk Naomi Stadlen’s books:What Mothers Dohttps://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p183/HowMothersLove.html⁠https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p235/WhatMothersLearn.html⁠⁠https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p253/WhyGrandmothersMatter.html⁠⁠https://pinterandmartin.com/products/a-grand-quarrel⁠

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• Adjusting to Motherhood and becoming a Parent

  In this episode by LLLGB, volunteer breastfeedingcounsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova invite fellow LLLGB Leaders, Sophia Berman and Justine Fieth, to reflect on their personal early parenting journeys.Before our baby arrives we may have a vision of what that time will be like.When the reality of this transition differs from our expectations we may find ourselves on an emotional rollercoaster - it can be helpful to know that adjustingto having a baby can take time and is an ongoing process. That having challenges, even feeling overwhelmed, is a normal experience. Pain, tiredness, your birth experience, and how much support you have will all affect how youfeel.We are discussing the following:- What we may expect motherhood to feel like- What adjusting to life with a small person may look like- What has helped us to find our feet in becoming parentsand the importance of support all round in those early stages of Parenthood.Everyone’s experience is different, we hope you may hearsomething that resonates with you.Watch this space for future episodes exploring other perspectives, experiences and journeys. Please get in touch with us on [email protected] toshare yours! A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed and the listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and informationplease visit: www.laleche.org.uk https://laleche.org.uk/adjusting-to-motherhood/Beginning BreastfeedingSupporting a Breastfeeding MotherOut & About With Your Breastfed BabySafe Sleep & The Breastfed BabyWhen A Mother Is UnwellWhy Come To LLL MeetingsSo what do you do? a mother’s storyBreastfeeding & Postnatal Depressionhttps://laleche.org.uk/recreating-the-lying-in-monthhttps://laleche.org.uk/five-ways-help-breastfeeding-doesnt-go-expected/ LLLI Articles & storiesWhy breastfeeding is good for mothers’ mental health, anarticle by Katheen Kendall-TackettOther websiteswww.biologicalnurturing.comwww.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/Depression.htmlwww.nhs.uk/Conditions/PostnataldepressionBreastfeeding Network – anxiety and breastfeeding‘Motherhood’ poem is written and recorded by Jessica Starr  

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• Breastfeeding Relationship with our Older Baby (from 8 months to pre-walking)

  In this episode by LLLGB, volunteer breastfeedingcounsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova discuss the shift in the nursing relationship with our growing baby and the need for mothers to be able to voice their needs.Breastfeeding is a foundation of human relationships and when we are communicating our needs to our growing baby and meeting their needs responsively, we are modelling respect for the needs of others.This gradual evolution of the unconditional response to our newborn to being able to set some boundaries may not always feel comfortable. Baby biting, feeling ‘touched out’, nursing aversion during ovulation as well as needing orwanting to be away from our baby can provoke feelings of guilt and confusion.The following topics are explored in this informal andopen-hearted episode:-   A baby’s intense need to be with his mother whichis as basic as the need for food-   How to take our own feelings into account whenbuilding a relationship at the breast-  How breastfeeding may look and feel around 8months and up to walking stage.A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was foundedby seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledgethat is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and informationplease visit: www.laleche.org.uk https://laleche.org.uk/help-baby-bit/https://laleche.org.uk/nursing-strikes/https://laleche.org.uk/dont-enjoy-breastfeeding/https://laleche.org.uk/dealing-with-criticism/https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-infancy/https://laleche.org.uk/after-weaning-what-next/https://laleche.org.uk/still-nursing/https://laleche.org.uk/thinking-of-weaning/

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• Discussing Allergies and Breastfeeding with Dr Robert Boyle, a Paediatric Allergy Specialist and one of the members of the LLLGB Panel of Professional Advisors

  In this episode by LLLGB, volunteer breastfeeding counsellors Sarah Fletcher and Maria Yasnova discuss the complex and sensitive subject for many families, Breastfeeding and Allergies, with Dr Robert Boyle, one of LLLGB’s professional advisors.Dr Boyle’s research focuses on the development of new waysof preventing, diagnosing and treating allergic disease which affects young people. The episode shines the light on whether food and environmental allergies have become more common, what support parents need when they suspect their infant is impacted by allergies or are living with allergies and discussed current research and medical guidelines. The discussion aims to empower and support breastfeeding families dealing with the symptoms. A holistic model of support offered by LLL is discussed andthe listeners are encouraged to reach out to LLLGB if breastfeeding support and information is needed. LLLGB is a charity that offers mother to mother and parentto parent support for breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The charity was founded by seven mothers in 1956 and since then has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that is now supported by the latest scientific evidence and research.Episode Notes: For breastfeeding support and informationplease visit: www.laleche.org.uk For more information on the common symptoms, what may be normal and what needs attention please see the articles below: https://laleche.org.uk/allergies/https://laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-and-a-mothers-diet-myths-and-facts/https://laleche.org.uk/i-think-my-babys-got-colic/ https://laleche.org.uk/unhappy-baby/https://laleche.org.uk/fussy-evenings-with-a-newborn/ 

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