 BREASTFEEDING:
COPING WITH THE FIRST WEEK
Review by Sharron Cole
This video, as you would expect with technical advisors Chloe Fisher and Sally Inch, is technically very good. But it is more than just technically good. Caroline Flint is the front person and is her typically warm, bubbly self with her enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of, breastfeeding being somewhat contagious. The video is more of a 'complete' breastfeeding video in that as well as demonstrating positioning and latching on, it gives much essential information on the physiology and biology of lactation.
The opening is of babies being put to the breast and then Caroline talks to a group of mothers on why they wish to or already do breastfeed. The message very much is that breastfeeding is natural but is a learned skill and the first week is difficult as both the mother and baby learn this new skill. In a very unhurried way, the elements of correct positioning are demonstrated and reiterated, with a checklist for mothers to run through. Attachment is also shown very clearly and there are many demonstrations of how to successfully get the baby onto the breast.
The video covers the first week of breastfeeding and includes topics such as the importance of colostrum, expressing, feeding discreetly, mobility, how long a feed should last and feeding from one breast fully before switching to the second. Because of this additional information, it makes the video an ideal one to show as the video to an antenatal class. It may be a little long but it would be possible to fast forward some segments, especially those which go over particular aspects a number of times. It would also be of great value to women in the immediate postpartum period.
Sharron Cole
National advisor on childbirth education
Parents Centres New Zealand
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