By Aneeka Simonis
MUMS who are having difficulty breastfeeding their newborn can now access a free infant feeding clinic in Kooweerup.
Operated out of Kooweerup Regional Health Service, the clinic has already helped several new mums and bubs including Erin Bell and her eight-week-old girl Denali.
“It’s quite distressing when she won’t take me,” said the new mum from Bunyip.
She said her daughter has experienced latching issues, but she’s now developing a “stronger suck” following consultation with the clinic’s maternal child and health nurse and accredited lactation consultant Wendy Daley.
Ms Daley said the once-a-week service had been very sought after since its launch in mid-September.
“We are booked up a week or two in advance,” she said.
Ms Daley said common breastfeeding issues including attachment difficulties, damaged nipples and low weight gain.
She counsels mums with tailored advice on how they could improve their feeding regime, focussing on early intervention to make sure mums get the chance to continue bonding with their newborn through breastfeeding.
“Often when women experience these issues, it doesn’t take long for them to stop breastfeeding and this can ruin their close bond with their baby,” Ms Daley said.
The service was made possible through support by the hospital’s ladies auxiliary group, which funded equipment including a breastfeeding chair.
Auxiliary members Joyce Mills, 77, and May Ridgway, 84, were at the official launch of the service on Monday 17 October.
Joyce had her third child at Kooweerup Regional Health Service the same time May gave birth to her second in 1965.
They shared stories of their own breastfeeding difficulty.
“It was a bit like trial-and-error back then,” Joyce said.
May added: “Getting a little help can make all the difference to a young mum”.
The clinic is open 9.30am until 3.30pm each Monday. To book, call 5997 9679.
