Title: Breastfeeding and the Fourth Trimester
Author: Lucy Webber
Review by Ebonee Montgomery, Doula
Why is it so good?
Not only did I find this book really helpful for someone who wants to learn more about breastfeeding to help educate and support women in future, but it is also a great book that I will be able to recommend to future clients. The book is set out in a way where women who are reading it wouldn’t feel forced or frowned upon if their breastfeeding journey doesn’t work out. The book is so informative and broken down into many sections which makes it a much easier read, whilst also making it so much easier to go back and find information quickly. It includes both stories from both mum and dads’ perspectives which I think is very helpful to parents reading the book who are either in the trenches or parents who are educating themselves before their baby arrives. Lucy has a part in the book that explains what support people can do to help women who are struggling, but also, she gives women ideas on HOW to ask for help in the hard moments. She explains what is normal and what is not, she explains how to ‘fix’ latches and positioning whilst also saying that if this doesn’t work, then it would be best for the women to go and see a professional in who can help work through things with the breastfeeding women.
The book covers so many factors that affect breastfeeding and does so in a way that isn’t bombarding with information.
The topics covered are –
- The fourth trimester, breastfeeding and this book
- The first few days with a new baby
- How to feed baby
- How to know they are getting enough milk
- Nipple pain and problems
- Weight gain and milk supply
- Breast pain and problems
- Expressing
- Reflux
- Colic, wind and difficult evenings
- Allergies and the breastfed baby
- Tongue tie
- Myths
- Mental health, birth trauma and when things don’t work out as planned
- For partners, friends and family
- Coming out of the fourth trimester
And whilst covering all of these topics, Lucy also includes personal stories after each topic which I think really helps new or struggling parents to take a deep breath and help them know that they are not alone in these struggles and that there are ways that can help them and their families.
It’s obvious that most people are aware that breastfeeding and breastmilk are the ‘optimal’ choice for health for both the mother and baby, Lucy points out that she isn’t going to bang on too much about that, as she recognises that it can be incredibly unhelpful to keep hearing messages about how important both breastfeeding and breastmilk are. However, what she does say is helpful, is knowledge, empowerment and support to allow you to breastfeed until you choose to stop, whenever that may be – after one day, one month, on year, or beyond. Every feed is beneficial and should be celebrated.
I loved this paragraph as it’s something I have always thought! We shouldn’t be persuading or even forcing a woman to breastfeed or give her baby breastmilk, we shouldn’t even be making her feel like that is the elite choice. Yes, it is of optimal nutrition but not everyone wants to do it, and I want to be someone who will hold that mother’s hand and have her know that she has my complete support in WHATEVER she chooses.
What did you get out of it the most?
This book really exemplified the fact that it is always best to ask for help and to not suffer in silence thinking that your breastfeeding problems will go away on their own. A lot of the time, a breastfeeding issue can be ‘fixed’ by making changes to how baby comes to the breast, how they are on the breast, and how their body is positioned whilst feeding. Lucy says time and time again, ‘go back to basics with positioning and latch, and do lots of skin-to-skin to help. And this is something all women can do with their babies, whether it fixes what issues they are facing in the breastfeeding journey or not, it will most certainly bring both mum and baby back to a somewhat grounded state.
Lucy has something she calls the four T’s – Turn, Tug, Tuck and Tilt.
- Turn – Turn your baby in toward you.
- Tug – Tug them down in the direction of their feet.
- Tuck – Tuck their bottom in
- Tilt – Tilted- back head.
Which explains the best way to latch baby, step by step, so that people reading the book will have a stronger chance at latching baby correctly and hopefully also allowing baby to keep that successful latch for the duration of the feed.
How will this book be of benefit to women?
This book will benefit women who are not only on or starting their breastfeeding journeys, but for people who want to learn more about breastfeeding so that they themselves can help support the new or struggling mum. Towards the end of her book Lucy explains that if breastfeeding gets that overstimulating and hard, women can take a break, and this doesn’t mean stopping all together forever. She explains women can do some expressing for a while, in a manageable way, as to keep the door open for breastfeeding further down the line. For mothers who stopped breastfeeding before they were ready as they didn’t have the right support, Lucy mentions relactation is possible, though a lot of hard work will go into it is still possible if that is something you are interested in. Formula is also there if needed and women shouldn’t be ashamed to use it if that is something they are at peace with or want to do. This book is written in such a way, that even from a far, you can tell Lucy has no judgment to the way women feed, she says at the start of her book “What I hope to achieve above all by writing this book, is to ensure you feel able to reach out for support. To know that you’re not alone. And to deeply ingrain a message that you are wonderful, your feelings are valid, and you’re doing a fantastic job”.
Why are you recommending this book to women?
The reason I would want to recommend this book is that a lot of material that is out there for any topic, not just the four-trimester world, can feel a little judgmental. People seem to provide material that is their way, or the highway and you can be left feeling torn and confused as Article A says one thing while Article B says something completely different.
The book BREASTFEEDING and the FOURTH TRIMESTER is delivered in a way that says whatever your journey looks like, as long as you are at peace with it, then that is the right journey for you. Lucy gives the facts in a clear but gentle way, and with the personal stories included throughout, the book becomes a very comforting read whilst still being very educational. I am very glad I chose this book to review as what Lucy has said throughout, resonates with the way I was to educate and support women in the future.
Hello everyone, my name is Ebonee, the face behind EboneeJaide-Doula and mum to one gorgeous girl!
I have always felt drawn helping new mamas, newborns are cute, and they warm the soul, but I have always taken great steps into helping the new mum in any way I could. I’ve pretty much been a doula for 10 years if you ask my friends, haha!
I have recently completed my studies through the Doula Training Academy and am now so excited to offer my services to the FNQ region whilst I reside in Weipa and online for anyone who needs me!
Whether this be your first baby or you’re already a seasoned mama, looking for someone to shower you in love and support, I am the one for you. You mamas deserve the upmost respect, love and support and I am someone who can give that to you.
I hold a safe and judgement free zone for everyone who comes to me. Your journey is yours, I am just here to walk through it with you, to ensure you have every opportunity to take full control and feel empowered and at peace at the end.
My name is Ebonee Montgomery, and I am a qualified doula who has completed formal training through the Doula Training Academy, and I am based in Weipa, Queensland. Please get in touch if you feel I am the one for you.
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