Janie Pengilly

By Janie Pengilly janiepengilly

Breastfeeding is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world. Yet for some mums, it doesn’t come as naturally as it should, and for others they make the decision that it just isn’t for them!

Personally I breastfed both of my children – my first born until 18 weeks and my second until 20 weeks. I gave up due to thinking I couldn’t produce enough for what they wanted. I think in reality I could have and should have breastfed for longer, but the accessibility of formula and bottles, as well as bottle feeding seen as being the ‘norm’ made my decision to give up easy. If I was to have another baby I would definitely try and breast feed for as long as possible.

So is breast really best? You can find a long list of the benefits of breast milk. Here are some of them:

• Bonding with your baby
• Breast milk is the only natural food designed specifically for your baby
• Breastfeeding protects your baby from infections and disease
• It’s free
• Convenient
• No sterilising, warming or preparing
• Help to lose that baby weight

Even though there are all these benefits plus more, there are still some mums that make the decision that breast feeding isn’t for them.

Some new mums try breastfeeding and can find it painful — no very, very, very painful! Chapped nipples and even some bleeding as well as engorgement that can even lead to infection (mastitis). Most pain can be caused by baby not latching on properly and proper positioning, however some people just find this too much and so give up.

For those mums that have problems there is more help than ever. Here in Lincoln, we have breast start groups. One is at Birchwood Sure Start Centre: this is a drop-in clinic that runs on a Thursday between 11.30am through to 2.30pm. You can also find breast feeding councillors through the Lincoln branch of NCT. There is also a Lincoln based breast start Facebook page. The group is very interactive and there are more than enough mums with experience and professionals there to answer any questions you may have.

If you are having troubles breastfeeding don’t suffer in silence, get in contact and get some help and advice. If you make the decision to give up breast feeding as things have got too much and you can’t cope, don’t beat yourself up about it, you have made the decision that is best for you and your baby.

I personally think formula milk is a great substitute to breast milk and I completely understand that some mums make the choice not to breastfeed, I believe it is a personal choice and one that no-one should influence.

Janie Pengilly is a Lincoln mum of two, both under the age of 4, that keep her busy. As well as being a stay-at-home mum, she is also the editor of the new online magazine, Lincoln Mums.

By Janie Pengilly janiepengilly

As a stay-at-home mum, it’s hard to make a decision on what to do with your children on a day to day basis. However, we are lucky that we have an abundance of classes, groups and play centres all over Lincoln for mums to take their babies or toddlers to. So the question that every mum asks herself is which one do you choose?

Here are a few of the classes that me and my little ones loved, based in and around Lincoln, that we would recommend.

Music bugs a preschool music class held in and around the Lincoln area. During a typical class you can expect lots of songs, knee bouncers, nursery rhymes, actions and sharing songs with plenty of props to play with, including musical instruments, puppets, hobby horses and many more.

Tumble Tots is an energetic class, where fun is had through a physical play programme. They hold different classes for children of different age ranges, from crawlers right the way through to school age. Depending on the age range as to what the class will involve — the older the children, the more structured the class. You will find hoops, balls, blocks to climb, beams to balance, things to bounce on and much more. Classes are held at Fernwood Village Hall in Newark on Tuesdays, Winthorpe Community Centre on Wednesdays and at Rustons Sport & Social Club in North Hykeham on Saturdays.

Tiny Talk is a baby signing class. Parents and babies sign and sing to songs and nursery rhymes using toys, puppets, instruments, props and much more. The second half of the class is a chance to chat with the other mums and let the babies have a crawl and a play. The classes are at Our lady of Lincoln Church on Monday, Scout Hut on Love Lane in Gainsborough on Tuesday, and Burton Road Methodist Church on Wednesdays.

Puddle Ducks is a class that will teach your child to swim. They can take babies from 6 weeks old right the way through to 4 years old. The classes will develop your child’s confidence in the water in a natural way. Puddle Ducks holds classes in South Park and on the outskirts of Lincoln.

I think the most important thing for both you and your baby is to find your local toddler group, as most toddler groups are full of like-minded mums. It is great to meet people that live in your area that may have children the same age as yours.

Janie Pengilly is a Lincoln mum of two, both under the age of 4, that keep her busy. As well as being a stay-at-home mum, she is also the editor of the new online magazine, Lincoln Mums.