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Successful Breastfeeding Preparation

Breastfeeding is designed for babies, but understanding how it works can help you to have a satisfying feeding journey and avoid running into difficulties from the start.

Most women would agree that breastfeeding isn't as straightforward as imagined, and this can be compounded by the degree of conflicting advice individual health professionals give, often based on their own experience.

We now know through the findings of research that there are simple interventions that can be made to the way a baby is positioned at the breast that allow the nipple and a larger volume of breast tissue to be drawn up into a baby's mouth, closer to the junction where the hard palate meets the soft palate.
Why is this important?
Because it prevents nipple pain and supports milk transfer.

From this research we also now appreciate more definitively that opposing intra-oral forces can be set up between where the nipple lies in the mouth and where the breast and baby are positioned.
Why is this important?
Because eliminating conflicting forces and breast tissue drag can prevent nipple damage and support milk transfer.

What is Possums Breastfeeding?

Women have been breastfeeding forever and doing so very naturally. However, at some point in the western world we started to create various "holds", "techniques" and "latching routines" which have taken the focus off the natural biology of breastfeeding, driven by a baby's hunger and feeding reflexes.

The Possums approach is an evidence-based approach to breastfeeding. It has been developed over many years from research undertaken by a QLD medical practitioner, Dr Pam Douglas, who has powerfully re-framed breastfeeding using her scientific background in peri-natal medicine, General Practice and her experience as a lactation consultant for three decades.

Her findings open the door for better breastfeeding, better infant development and more joy in early life.

It is time for change from the traditions of old. To think differently, as we now offer women more choice by introducing them to groundbreaking breastfeeding evidence.

Possums Breastfeeding - How To

Here you will find a written guide to using the Possums approach, which is also called Gestalt Breastfeeding - reflecting there are greater benefits beyond the feed alone to be gained. Becoming familiar with the steps will support you to handle your baby with confidence from the very start to achieve what we refer to as "good fit and hold".

Further down this page you will also find a pictorial visual guide.

At Newborn Home Care we join a team of health practitioners across many parts of the world who have embraced Gestalt breastfeeding principles. Its practice has transformed the lactation and breastfeeding support we offer in ways that only serve to inspire us more.

The two things we hear women say over and over is - "this is so comfortable" and "this makes so much sense". The third is - "how can I thank you enough?" It is incredibly humbling to have at our disposal such useful evidence-based tools with which to empower breastfeeding women.

We invite other health care professionals to explore the value of the Possums principles. You can find a wealth of resources and how to become an NDC practitioner at ndcinstitute.com.au and at possumsndc.com.