Mummies, you are not alone, help is here. There are professionals whose job is to support you in your breastfeeding journey, so feel free to contact them without hesitation.

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Who To Seek for Professional Advice on Breastfeeding

  • Doctors or nurses – speak to them if you have any concerns regarding breastfeeding.
  • Postnatal care – you can request this service if you feel you need support.
  • After your baby is born and you have been discharged from the hospital (government/private), inform your nearest Klinik Kesihatan.
  • They will send a government-registered nurse to visit you at home to check on you and your baby.
  • The nurse will help with guidance and support for breastfeeding, bathing and caring for your newborn.
  • Lactation Expert/Consultant
  • This is someone who can teach you proper breastfeeding techniques and talk about breastfeeding issues and concerns
  • Breastfeeding NGOs
  • Check out organisations such as World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global community for breastfeeding information and action. It also offers advice and support to breastfeeding mums.
  • Mother’s support group/counsellor groups
  • Look out for breastfeeding support groups. You can enquire about it from hospitals and health care professionals. These support groups will be able to provide encouragement, information and support to breastfeeding mothers.

How Family and Friends Can Support Breastfeeding

New mums need a lot of support in early days and weeks of breastfeeding. It has been shown that women with friends who have breastfed successfully are more likely to choose to breastfeed. On the other hand, negative attitudes of family and friends can pose a barrier to breastfeeding.

 

The role of dad

Research shows that fathers have a strong influence on mother’s decision to initiate and continue breastfeeding.

Mothers report feeling less anxious and isolated due to fathers acknowledging and supporting their emotional needs, and sometimes by just “being there” when needed.

 

What dads can do:-

  • Attend antenatal or breastfeeding sessions with mum.
  • Give emotional and practical support.
  • Arrange paternity leave.
  • Help with household chores.
  • Ensure meals are ready and healthy for mum
  • Get involved in baby’s care, eg bathing baby, lulling baby to sleep after each feed.

 

The role of family

  • Help with household chores.
  • Look after baby so mum can nap, or have some “me” time.
  • Play and cuddle baby to promote verbal, physical and emotional interaction.

 

The role of friends

  • Be supportive of breastfeeding efforts.
  • Offer to help, for example by picking up groceries for mum or getting her lunch.
  • Be considerate when going out – is your destination breastfeeding friendly?

 

For further information on infant and child nutrition, please refer to

  1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA (2013) Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents. Putrajaya: Technical Working Group on Nutritional Guidelines (for National Coordinating Committee on Food and Nutrition).
  2. NUTRITION SOCIETY OF MALAYSIA (2011) Breastfeed with Confidence. Petaling Jaya: Mother’s Smart Choice.