Breastfeeding is an amazing achievement. Not just for babies who benefit from the nutrients contained in real baby milk, but also for their mums, partners and families.

THE CAMPAIGN

The Be a Star campaign is dedicated to increasing the number of young mums who choose to breastfeed. We hope to do this by showcasing the beauty, confidence and pride that comes with breastfeeding, as well as providing breastfeeding information and support and highlighting the unique health benefits that it brings to both baby and mum.

We have created this blog to provide breastfeeding advice and information and to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved in our growing community of breastfeeding mums - to take part in topical discussions, share tips and support other mums with your advice and experience.

If there are any topics you would like to see covered on the blog, or if you require information that you can’t find here, please click here to email us your thoughts/ suggestions.

You can also access information in the main section of the blog and locate your nearest children’s centre local support section.

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We are keen to hear from you, not just your experiences of breastfeeding (click here to post your experience), but your comments on the campaign and blog, so please do log in and get posting.

If you know any other mums or expectant mums who need breastfeeding advice and support, forward on our details and let’s work together to help more mums choose to breastfeed. Equally, if you know any mum whose family or partner are struggling with the idea of them breastfeeding, ask them to log on for breastfeeding advice and support that is relevant to them.

“I’ll turn you into a star!” Michaela and baby Jaden.

A bit about me!

My name is Michaela and this is my son, Jaden, who’s now nearly one-year old. We live in Doncaster.

I was really happy to have breastfed Jaden when he was a young baby, and mostly I found breastfeeding was just as I had been told – quite easy, with Jaden mostly knowing just what to do when he was fed. There were a few surprises along the way, though – Jaden was jaundiced so got tired quickly when he was feeding, so I really had to take each day as it came.

I found that breastfeeding itself wasn’t really painful, it was more the after pains as my womb shrunk that was uncomfortable. Thankfully I just reminded myself that this meant I’d get my figure back more quickly!

Don’t forget the midwife is there to help you, reassure you and support you. Try to keep going, taking each day at a time and quite quickly you will start to feel more confident. If you really want to breastfeed you can do it – just remember there is a lot of support for you if you need it.

Sadly I stopped breastfeeding Jaden much sooner than I ever imagined that I would because my fiancé was killed in Afghanistan when Jaden was just a few weeks old, and for this reason I had to stop.

My advice is definitely above all is to give it a go, get help when you need it and enjoy every minute as you just don’t know what’s around the corner.

I’ve put together some top-tips for you to read. I hope that you find them useful! Feel free to leave comments below to share tips of your own.

Good luck!!
Michaela x

Things I found helpful

• Don’t expect to see a huge change in the size of your breasts! People often assume your boobs get massive when pregnant, sadly that isn’t always the case. But it doesn’t mean your not able to breastfeed, the right amount is there and you may not notice a change till your milk arrives after birth
• Shop for some nursing bras at around 36 weeks pregnant, I just got measured and bought a pack with 2 night time nursing bras (similar to sports bra, but with drop down cups) then at least you have something for hospital and the few days after, and when your milk arrives go and get measured again as you will be bigger. They’re not cheap so don’t buy loads till your confident that you’ll carry on breastfeeding
• Breast pads are a lifesaver throughout pregnancy, some people don’t leak but I first noticed some creamy/yellowy coloured stains in my bra when I was around 16 weeks, and I leaked ever since. Some people leak earlier than that, I was reassured it was all normal
• Don’t give up if things are tiring and painful; persevere because it will get better. Ask a midwife or health visitor for help and get the support you need. If could be something as little as positioning or not latching on properly
• Don’t think you just put your baby to your boob and it all happens from there. It is definitely a skill and you both have to practise till you learn. I thought you just stuck your baby on your nipple and he/she sucked it until I read about it. If you really want to breastfeed, get lots of info on it, and ask lots of questions. And don’t use the attitude ‘I’ll see if it works’, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t. But you’ll notice when people ask how you’re choosing to feed and you say ‘breastfeeding’, they’re quick to jump and say ‘if it works for you’ or ‘if you can’. Just take it in your stride, but ignore these comments. I found it really annoying but just agreed to avoid the debate!

Breastfeeding is great for mum and baby, but it can make dad feel relegated to the subs bench.

With everyone focusing on the baby and the partner doing all the feeding, it’s normal for most blokes to feel a little pushed out.

SPARE PART
Because new mums probably won’t feel very sexy for a while, dads can end up feeling like a complete spare part. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—it’s perfectly normal. It doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby and it doesn’t mean you’re not bonding. “For a while I felt like all I could do was cheer from the touchline” explained Peter Purcell, 35 from Swinton. “But I just made sure that I got involved in other ways.”

DON’T BE A BABY
The most important thing is to make sure you don’t let these feelings get in the way of supporting your partner at this important stage in your baby’s life. Check out the “It Takes Two” post for a run down of all the other stuff your baby and partner need—stuff that you and only you can do.

The longer a mum breastfeeds her baby, the healthier she will be in later life, according to new research.

Doctors around the world agree that breast is best for baby. But new research now shows that the women who carry on breastfeeding for more than a year are 20% less likely to suffer from high cholesterol.The chances of developing diabetes also drop by 13% and high blood pressure by 12%. “Breastfeeding is an important part of the way women’s bodies recover from pregnancy,” said Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz.

And when this process is stopped early, women are more likely to have a number of health problems, including heart attacks and strokes. “The longer a mother breastfeeds her baby, the better for both of them.”

KNOW YOUR STUFF IF THE GOING GETS TOUGH.

Whilst it’s the most natural thing in the world, it’s not always a complete breeze. As a bloke you need to be ready to step in if things start to get difficult.

MYTH
It’s a myth that breastfeeding hurts. There may be a little discomfort during the first few days, but it’s not normal for this to continue.

COURAGE
Kylie, 20 from Little Hulton really went through the mill, but was determined to give baby Kyran the benefit of her own milk. Partner, Paul Wegener explains, “Pretty much anything that could go wrong, did go wrong for Kylie. But she fought through it and continued to feed. I’m so proud of her. I did what I could to support her and it meant a lot to her to know she wasn’t on her own.”

SEEK HELP
If your partner is experiencing pain when breastfeeding, take charge and seek help as soon as possible. Your Health Visitor or Midwife will be able to advise you on what to do, but if you aren’t due a visit use the YOUR local support page to get help straight away.

COMMON ISSUES

CRACKED NIPPLES
This happens when the baby doesn’t attach properly. Your partner could get a breast infection or reduced milk supply and it might put her off continuing to breastfeed. She shouldn’t have to suffer—seek help.

MASTITIS
This is caused when bacteria gets into a blocked milk duct. It can infect the breast (often through a cracked nipple) and requires treat- ment with antibiotics. Continuing to feed can actually help clear it up —so encourage her not to give up.

THRUSH
Some babies get thrush in their mouth. This can be passed to mum when feeding and can be painful for them both. It usually requires treatment with drops, gel or cream.

FEEDING PROBLEMS
It’s possible that your partner won’t be able to produce enough milk or it might not flow freely. But this is almost always down to fine-tuning technique. Getting her position right is vital to make sure the baby is attached and feeding properly. It’s also an idea to get to know how ‘latching on’ works and what it looks like when done properly so you can help in a more hands on way.

BABY BONDING FOR BLOKES.

CUDDLES
Give your partner and baby plenty of kisses and hugs whilst they feed.

PLAY, PLAY, PLAY
Every bloke is good at messing around. And now you have the perfect excuse!

CHANGE NAPPIES
It’s not just about cleaning bums. Nappy changes involve talking to your baby, being gentle and taking care of their needs.

BATH TIME IS YOUR TIME
If possible, make bathing a dad-thing in the same way that feeding is a mum-thing.

DO THE BURPING
Not you, the baby! Some babies need to get it off their chest.

EXPRESSING
Your partner might be able to express milk so you can feed your baby from a bottle without using formula.

If you think breastfeeding is a job just for mum—think again! There’s loads of other stuff that needs to go on behind the scenes to make it happen.

So many women give up breastfeeding because they don’t get the support they need in the early stages.

It’s up to you to make breastfeeding a double act and do whatever you can to give your baby the best possible start. Here’s a few pointers…

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1. FIX IT
Make sure the house runs smoothly: DIY, cooking, cleaning, shopping etc. Not only will she be exhausted, but she might be worried that these things aren’t being taken care of.

2. GUARD
Make sure your partner isn’t getting too many visitors. Let others know when your family needs to be alone. Turn off the phone or put a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the front door.

3. TAKE CHARGE
If you have other children, make sure they give mum and baby some space. Distract them with fun activities and exercise, but see that they still get enough attention (and sleep!).

4. PROTECT
Stop people from making negative comments about breastfeeding. Even if it comes from your own mum!

5. SEEK OUT
Find skilled help if any problems crop up. Know what to look for, what to do and who to contact. See your local support page for more information on what’s happening in your area.

6. SEARCH
Find details of local mums’ breastfeeding groups. Chances are, there’s loads of help available in your area. See your local support page or contact your local PCT for more info.

7. BE PROUD
What your partner’s doing is amazing. Make sure she knows you think so.

8. BE A MAN
Blokes meet their baby’s needs in different ways to mums. Your baby needs an involved dad not a substitute mum. Make time, stay close, get to know your baby and understand their needs.

Whilst there are two very good  reasons why dads don’t breastfeed, there’s no reason at all why they shouldn’t bond with their baby.

You might not have the boobs, but you do have the heart, the brain and a knack of finding ways around things. Are you really going to let the fact that you were born without boobs get in the way of being best mates with your brand new bundle of joy?

STRONGER BOND
Paul Wegener, 22 from Little Hulton certainly didn’t. “I think I have a stronger bond with my baby than if he’d been bottle fed. It made me find other things to do with him rather than just relying on bonding by feeding. I go to Dad and Baby groups with him, but it’s as simple as playing, cuddling and spending time together.”

MYTHS
Bonding isn’t some magical thing that only happens between mums and babies. A bond is what connects people together—it grows out of the time you spend together and the way you care for each other. You bond with your family, you bond with your partner. You even bond with your mates!

Now, we’re not suggesting that you take your newborn down the Feathers for a couple of pints. But the fact is there’s loads of ways you can carve out a special place in their hearts without stuffing balloons up your jumper or saving up for implants. Some dads like to turn the tables and claim part of the baby’s routine for themselves. “I took charge of the bathing,” explained Peter Purcell, 35 from Swinton. “It was something that I looked forward to all day—a special time that me and my daughter shared every day. It brought us really close together .”

The main thing is not to feel like you’re missing out on something because your partner’s doing all the feeding. It’s down to you! These are very special times in a dad’s life: get busy, get pro-active and enjoy getting to know each other.

29 year-old Salford rapper, Tim Cooke, is partner to Star Charissa and proud dad to 17 month-old Malachi. From beats to teats, we get the lowdown on daddy-hood from a man who’s done it.

How did you feel when you found out your partner was pregnant?
Fantastic, really excited. Then as it started to sink in I was like ‘Oh no, what have we done? I haven’t a clue what I’m doing!’ But the apprehension didn’t last long and now I’ve another on the way.

Did you talk about breastfeeding when she was pregnant?
I went to all the ante-natal classes and stuff. We talked about it a lot and it was obvious that it was the best thing for the baby. Charissa said that she really wanted to try her hardest to feed him, no matter how hard it was going to be. I just wanted to do everything I could to support her without pressuring her. I think some women feel they have to breastfeed no matter what.

What did you know about breastfeeding before Charissa got pregnant?
I knew it was better for the baby, but to be honest, as a bloke, I did think it was a bit weird at first. The thought of something sexual being for the baby. But I soon got used to it.

What’s it like being a dad?
Absolutely loving it! Sometimes I’ll be absolutely knackered and just need to sleep. But then just one look and one smile and it’s all worth it. The tiredness and sick and nappies are nothing compared with the joy of
having another human being that’s part of you. It’s a privilege and a blessing.

When did you decide to breastfeed?
About 6 months into the pregnancy.

Did it bother you that you couldn’t feed the baby?
A bit at first. But when he was about a couple of months old Charissa started to express milk into a bottle so I could feed him as well. It was nice to feel involved, a brilliant feeling to feed him and know it’s got all the right nutrients and isn’t just powder from a tin.

What advice would you give to other blokes who want to support their partners to breastfeed?
Learn to understand what she’s going through. Sacrifice your own sleep to make her a drink when she’s feeding in the middle of the night. As a bloke the main thing is to give the right encouragement. It’s no use saying it’s alright to give up when she’s in the middle of a really hard time. You’ve got to learn what to say, what not to say and when to say it.

KAT BARBER, 20, FROM YORK WITH 9-MONTH-OLD BABY THEO

Kat lives in York with her son, Theo. Before she became a mum, Kat was working part-time and training to become a hairstylist at college. Kat finished her course before her maternity leave and is now back at college, realising her ambitions by training in beauty therapy and media make-up.

Please explain why you’ve chosen to breastfeed?
From the day that I found out that I was pregnant, I knew that I was always going to breastfeed. My mum was a big influence, as she breastfed. It was useful for me to be able to talk to her about it all. I think that parents have a strong effect on you when you’re making decisions like that.

What did the people around you think of your decision to breastfeed - eg partner, parents, friends, family?
They thought that it was great, and that whatever I thought right for me and my baby was for the best.

What general advice would you give to expectant mums considering breastfeeding?
Find out as much information about it as you can. There’s more to breastfeeding than you might think, such as ways to ‘hook’ your baby on. There’s also lots of support available for you, so its a good idea to find out what’s available in your area.

What advice would you give to mums whose partner/friends/parents disapprove of breastfeeding?
Listen to the positive side of breastfeeding and evaluate the negative on your own account. Don’t be influenced by others.

Do you think that there are any drawbacks to breastfeeding? If so, what are they?
Some people worry how breastfeeding will affect their figure, especially their breasts, but what you have to understand is that at the end of the day, you have a beautiful, healthy baby and you’re doing what’s right for your child.

Did you speak to anyone for advice or do any research about feeding,? If so, who did you speak to/where did you look for information?
My mother! I also gained a lot of info from the ‘Mums-to-be’ project (now called YorBabe), which gave lots of help. Also, the books that the doctors gave me, and the internet were great sources too.