Search Results

O ka no nyaka go tšwela pele go nyantšha o ntše o šoma goba o boela sekolong ka mabaka a mantši: ke dijo tše di kaone kudu tša lesea la gago, go šireletša lesea kgahlanong le, alwetše gape ke tsela ya go kgomana gape ge o etla gae. GO BOELA MOŠOMONG GOBA SEKOLONG O ka no nyaka go tšwela pele go nyantšha o ntše o šoma goba o boela sekolong ka mabaka a mantši: ke dijo tše di kaone kudu tša lesea la gago, go šireletša lesea kgahlanong le, alwetše gape ke tsela ya go kgomana gape ge o etla gae. Khoutu ya Afrika Borwa ya boitshwaro bjo bobotse go Tšhireletšo ya Bašumi nakong ya boimana le morago ga pelego ya ngwana [1] e go fa khutšo ya go nyantšha ye e tiišitšwego ya metsotso ye 30 ga bedi ka letšatši go oka goba go hlagiša maswi letšatši le lengwe le le lengwe la mošomo, dikgweding tše tshela tša mathomo bophelong bja ngwana. Bomma bag o nyantšha bao ba šomago ba tšea nako ye nnyane ya go khutša mošomong go hlokomela bana bago lwala. LEFELO MOŠOMONG GOBA SEKOLONG GO HLAGIŠA Aa naa go na le lefelo la sephira la go ba le lebati leo le ka notlelwago? Ge go se bjalo o ka tla le sekirini sebakeng sa sephira goba go apara seširo sa go nyantšha ge o hlagiša. Aa naa go na le setšidifatši go boloka maswi a gago? Ge go se byalo, o tla hloka go tla le setswalelo sa go laola phišo le lekwata la go kgahla. Bomma ba bangwe ba šomiša seripa sa matena a bona goba maikhutšo a tee gape le maikhutšo a go nyantšha ao ba a filwego ke Khoutu ya Afrika Borwa ya Boitshwaro Bjo Bobotse. [1] BOKAALO BJA MASWI Tlogela bonnyane bja 30-40 ml bja maswi go iri ye nngwe le ye nngwe yeo o lego kgole le lesea. Ka nako ye nngwe lesea le ka hloka go gontšinyana ge lesea lele lebakeng la kgolo ya ka pela. GO BOLOKA MASWI A GAGO Bomma ba bantši ba hlagiša maswi mošomong lehono go a tlogela le lesea letšatši leo le latelago. Ditšhelo tša galase di lokile gomme di ke šomišwa gape. Go hlapa ka meetse a go fiša a sesepe ke fela seo se hlokegago go lesea la go hlaga ka nako leo le phedilego. Dira gore maswi a gago a dule a tonya ge o sa tle go a šomiša diiring tše mmalwa tše di latelago. Ge ele gore o bokola maswi go tlo a šomiša ka morago nyana, o ka a hlakanya mmogo ge a seno ba themphereitšheng ya go swana. Boloka maswi ka dihlophana tša 60-100 ml go efoga go a senya. MATŠATŠI A MATHOMO GE O SENO BOELA MOŠOMONG O tla hlolosela lesea la gago gomme le lesea la gago le tla go hlolosela. Dira nako mesong go nyantšha pele o sepela. Bolela le mohlokomedi wa lesea mabapi le go tlogela maswi a gago le ka moo lesea la gago le tlogo fepiwa (mohlala, lebotlelo goba komiki ya polastiki). Etla le seswantšho sa lesea la gago go se lebale goba seripa se sennyane sa lesea go dupa ge o hlagiša maswi a gago. Apara gempe ya go hlepha goba ya go ba le dikunupi ka pele go dira gore go hlagiša maswi go be bonolo. Lesea la gago le ka nyanya kudu bošego go lefetša nako yeo le bego le le kgole le wena. Bomma ba bantši ba swarela bana ba bona kgauswi bošego go hwetše go ikhutša go gontši. Ge lesea le ka nyanya kudu ge le le mmogo, mmele wa gago o tla dira maswi a mantši. GO ŠOMIŠO MASWI A GAGO Masea a mangwe a thaba ge a enwa maswi a go tonya, goba o ka tutetša setšhelo ka sebjaneng sa meetse a go fiša. O seke wa tutetša maswi thwii setofong goba ka gare ga maekrowaivi. Maswi a go šala a ka fiwa phepong ye e latelago. Ge maswi a kgahlile, o seke wa a kgahliša gape ge a seno tološwa, gomme o a šomiše diiring tše 24. Maswi a go beiwa ka gare ga setswalelo sa go laola phišo ka diphuthelwana tša go kgahla a ka šomišwa diiring tše 24. Maswi a go bewa morago ka setšidifatšing a ka šomišwa matšatšing a 3-8. Maswi a go bewa ka gare ga lepokisi la go kgahla la setšidifatši a ka šomišwa dibekeng tše pedí. REFERENCES [1] The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) of South Africa - https://www.gov.za/documents/basic-conditions-employment-act and The “Code of Good Practice on the Protection of Employees during Pregnancy and after the Birth of a Child” COGP) - http://www.labour.gov.za/DocumentCenter/Pages/Home.aspx

Were you planning on continuing breastfeeding, but your baby has other ideas? Do you worry baby is trying to wean? UNEXPECTED WEANING Were you planning on continuing breastfeeding, but your baby has other ideas? Do you worry baby is trying to wean? First, make sure it isn’t just a nursing strike . COMMON REASONS FOR AN EARLY WEANING Bottles, pacifiers or increased solids. Try cutting down on any of these activities. If your baby is getting bottles at daycare while you are at work, and is over six months old (approximately), it’s probably time to go to the cup for the child’s feeds while away from you. With dummies, reduce use to your baby won’t be meeting his sucking needs, and will be more eager to nurse, when you are together. If you started solids early (before six months), you can always cut back on the size of these meals, gradually, of course. If baby is under 12 months of age, make sure you are offering breast before solids. Your milk supply will build back up, as the baby spends more time at the breast. Remember, your milk is by far the most nutritious food for your baby, for the first year, not to mention the immunological benefits. Distraction. Baby who is too distracted by everything around him, and won’t take time to breastfeed. This usually occurs between ages six to nine months. Try going into a quiet, dark room to breastfeed. Your baby may start waking more at night to feed, when nothing interesting is going on. Being tired can be overwhelming, but your baby is getting the perfect nourishment his body requires, and it should be a temporary issue. This is less of a problem if your baby co-sleeps . Self soothing. Perhaps you have a very busy baby who sucks his thumb, has always preferred sleeping alone, has adopted a blanket or stuffed animal. We call these baby’s self-soothers. It’s less common among breastfeeding babies, but they do exist. Pregnancy. Baby may react to the change in the taste or quantity of your milk. In these cases, it can be difficult, or impossible, to turn back the clock to those blissful breastfeeding days. When a child weans before the mother has planned, it can lead to feelings of rejection and grief in the mother, even when the baby seems fine with it. Allow those feeling to occur, they are normal and reach out if you need support. You’ve experienced one of the most pleasurable, even spiritual, times of your life, cuddling with your soft, warm, fragrant baby. It’s natural to miss it! Friends who haven’t been there won’t understand. They’ll think you’d be glad to tuck your shirt back in, and move on to the next stage. But your feelings are valid! Call your local La Leche League Leader . They will listen, and sympathise. *Parts of the contents of this page was generously supplied by La Leche League International

Breastfeeding and returning to work? Join the online Working Mothers Conference on 6 February 2021 and prepare for your return. From expressing your milk to SA law, we've got you covered to make the transition as smooth as possible. HeartFM Radio 00:00 / 00:34 Working Mothers' Breastfeeding Conference Saturday, 6 February 2021 | 09h00 - 13h00 Returning to work? Not sure how you can continue to breastfeed while working? Not sure how to express, or how much milk to leave for baby? Worried about your milk supply? THIS ONLINE CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU! Join La Leche League South Africa at the Working Mothers’ Breastfeeding Conference for information shared by real-life working mothers. Our online session will cover the following topics: SESSION TOPICS INCLUDE The importance of breastfeeding for babies, mothers and their employers South African law and your rights Working Full-time, Part-time, From or Away from Home What to look for in a caregiver Preparing for your first day back at work Different types of pumps and how to use them Hand expressing Encouraging baby to take a bottle Different ways of feeding your baby How to store and handle breastmilk What to do if your supply drops Practical ideas to make working-and-breastfeeding "work" Sessions are presented by La Leche League Leaders who are working mothers Information is evidence-based and supported by science Working-Mother eDownload information pack WORKING MOTHERS CONFERENCE PACKAGE | R180 BOOK YOUR TICKET NOW THROUGH QUICKET Meet our speakers RAHMAT BAGUS Rahmat is a La Leche League Leader from Cape Town. She is a medical doctor and has been a working breastfeeding mother with all 4 of her children. With her first child, she used formula milk as well as expressed breast milk when she returned to work. With the latter three children, she exclusively breastfed until her children started solids. All of her children have breastfed for extended periods of time. LEANI KHAN Leani changed her mind about returning to work after her first child was born. She now has three children and over the years has experienced different work options. She has at times been a stay-at-home mom; at other times she has worked part-time, and full-time. She has been able to negotiate creative solutions with her employers in order to be more available to her family. GWYNNETH JACOBS Gwynneth is a biological scientist working full time in a government laboratory. She credits her parenting success to the support and information she received from La Leche League South Africa, which helped her exclusively breastfeed and express after maternity leave. As a result she became a Leader and has supported other working mothers in her workplace and beyond. She is currently expecting her second child and is still nursing her firstborn. She plans to express again upon returning to work. AMOR HERBST Amor is mother to three school-aged girls which includes a set of fraternal twins. Having struggled with breastfeeding her firstborn, Amor joined La Leche League South Africa after the birth of her twins for support and evidence-based information. Amor managed to combine working full-time in the I.T. industry (and expressing her milk at work) with caring for her family and reaching her breastfeeding goals. GWEN BRITTEN Gwen is a medical doctor who suprised herself by staying home with her first born child. She now has two boys and does locum work to try and find a balance between being available to her small children and earning a living. Both her children have breastfed for a lengthy time, and La Leche League has been an important part of her support network in managing to do this. LEANA HABECK Leana became a La Leche League Leader shortly after the birth of her third baby. She resigned from her job to be a stay-at-home mom during her first two children's younger years. By the time her third baby was born she was working flexi hours. Among her many other commitments she is still running a busy clinic as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It was only with amazing support from family, friends and La Leche League that she could overcome many of the obstacles working and breastfeeding mother-baby pairs face. All three her children were exclusively breastfed. TERCIA MOSES Tercia is a stay at home mum to 3 busy children. She has spent several years as an Educarer in a childcare environment and 3 years as a Unit Administrative Assistant. Tercia decided to resign from her job after the birth of her second baby to meet the needs of her growing family. She is still breastfeeding her children. Don't miss this fantastic online conference Tickets for the La Leche League South Africa Working Mothers Conference are available on Quicket . For more information contact info@lllsa.org

July 2025 Like many mothers, I was incredibly excited to begin my breastfeeding journey after my baby was born. Breastfeeding felt like such a natural and beautiful experience—I never imagined that anything could go wrong. However, within the first 2–3 weeks, I began experiencing intense pain. My baby had a textbook-perfect latch, confirmed by lactation consultants, the paediatrician, and nurses. So why was I crying from the pain every single time I breastfed? The pain was accompanied by overwhelming anxiety, turning every feeding session into a dreadful experience—sometimes just for the first few minutes, but often for the entire duration. I was even uncomfortable in regular clothing, especially bras. Thankfully, it was summer, so I could wear loose clothes without a bra, but even the softest fabrics still caused discomfort. My husband and I spent hours researching on YouTube and every platform we could find, desperately trying to understand the cause of my pain. Everything pointed to thrush, but I had none of the typical signs or symptoms. I tried various ointments and medications for thrush, but nothing helped. We asked friends, family, and anyone we could think of, but no one had experienced pain like mine. The worst part for me was that I couldn’t—and honestly didn’t want to—feed my baby on demand or for longer than a few minutes. Cluster feeding became my worst nightmare, leading to many tears and even arguments at home. The idea of having to nurse every few minutes, with that level of pain each time, felt unbearable. Eventually, I reached out to a lactation consultant. She was wonderful—supportive and informative. We tried several solutions: nipple shields, different breastfeeding positions, and silver nipple cups. For a few days, things improved—but then the pain came back, just as severe as before. Desperate for answers, I turned to a Facebook group, where someone recommended I see a La Leche League Leader (who also happens to be a medical doctor). I made an appointment for the very next day. She was incredibly thorough. After a few minutes of evaluation, she diagnosed me with Mammary Constriction Syndrome —a condition I had only heard mentioned once before. Despite weeks of research and asking countless people, no one had ever suggested this. The session included a physical exam, an assessment of how I was holding my baby during feeds, and how I was positioned myself. To my surprise, everything I had learned—through videos, articles, and even prior consultations—was wrong for me . The way I had been latching, holding, and sitting was all contributing to my pain. With a few small (but significant) changes, I breastfed without pain for the very first time. I couldn’t believe it. I even put on a bra for the first time in months—without discomfort. I felt like myself again. I cried all the way home, overwhelmed with relief, and shared my story with anyone who would listen. A week later, some pain returned, so I went back to the Leader/doctor. She introduced new techniques and exercises and prescribed medications and ointments for the nerve pain. Within a week, the pain was gone—along with the constant tears and anxiety. Breastfeeding became easy and enjoyable. I could feed on demand, anytime, anywhere. The joy and relief I now feel every time I breastfeed is indescribable, especially when I think about how far I’ve come. Breastfeeding truly is a beautiful and special journey. It’s my heartfelt wish and prayer that every new mother who wants to breastfeed will get to experience the same peace, joy, and fulfilment that I now feel with every feed. As a physiotherapist, here is a brief explanation of mammary constriction syndrome: What Is Mammary Constriction Syndrome? Mammary Constriction Syndrome occurs when tight clothing (such as bras), poor posture, or muscle imbalances put pressure on nerves and blood vessels in the chest and shoulder area. This can lead to symptoms like numbness , tingling , pain , or poor circulation , especially in the arms and hands. How Muscles and Posture Affect Your Symptoms 1. Poor Posture = Pressure Slouching or rounded shoulders tighten the chest muscles and weaken the upper back. This compresses nerves and blood vessels passing through the shoulder and upper chest area. 2. Tight Muscles = Nerve Irritation Shortened chest muscles (like the pectoralis minor) can press on important nerves (brachial plexus) and blood vessels. This may cause pain, tingling, or weakness down the arm. 3. Circulation Can Suffer Constriction from bras or tight clothing can reduce blood flow. This may lead to cold hands , swelling , or a "heavy" arm sensation. What You Can Do ✅ Postural Training  Learn to sit and stand with better postural alignment to relieve pressure. ✅ Stretching & Strengthening  Loosen tight chest muscles and strengthen the back and shoulder stabilizer muscles ✅ Manual Therapy  Your physiotherapist can use hands-on techniques to relieve tension and improve nerve mobility. ✅ Smart Bra Choices  Avoid overly tight bras and opt for comfortable, supportive designs that don’t dig into your shoulders or chest. Final Note These symptoms are common and treatable. With the right exercises, posture, and awareness, you can reduce pain, improve circulation, and feel better in your body.   LLLSA comment: please consult a Leader in person if you are struggling with persistent breast or nipple pain. Pain is never normal. Often small adjustments to your or your baby’s positioning can improve pain. Please note that silver nipple cups don’t solve underlying issues and in many instances make nipple pain worse. A few easy chest/neck/shoulder muscle stretches can be found: https://youtu.be/hS7K2V1RZXM?si=RMUyF3XioTJm8RXl https://youtu.be/EQQRC5Seo0I?si=W5pXG_DNGHjxj5lC https://youtu.be/IgrBjvr8C0I?si=z9QUTsijdDyST4U0

After a lot of negativity from doctors, our miracle baby girl arrived after 7 years of waiting. She was also the first grandchild and everybody was so excited. My mom wanted to visit me. She was waiting for a bus in Bloemfontein so she could go to town to buy a plane ticket to be with us in Kempton Park when a lady at the bus stopped and asked her where she was going (My mom never saw that lady before and never again). That lady told my mom about her own daughter breastfeeding for years and that she attends meetings in Kempton Park and gave my mom Avrille's number. Avrille was a La Leche League Lea der. My baby girl cried a lot and I phoned Avrille every day for support. I attended her LLL meetings from the next month (May 1982) and never missed a meeting for years. LLLSA became our family's lifeline. Eventually, I also trained to become a LLL volunteer group Leader two years later. We were blessed with 3 more little miracle girls. All 4 my breastfed girls breastfed their babies. I now have 11 grandchildren between 24 and 6 years old (2026). I have been helping breastfeeding moms since 1984 and continue to love it.

-March 2026 I just wanted to share my experience in case it helps another mom. In the first week after bringing my baby home, she developed jaundice. Besides the blue light therapy, we were told the main way to clear it was for her to feed a lot so that she could pass the bilirubin out through her stools. At the time I didn’t actually know what “enough” breast milk looked like. A lactation professional mentioned that the amount of breast milk she was getting didn’t seem sufficient to make her poop enough to clear the jaundice, so we introduced formula milk to help push things along. Fortunately the jaundice cleared. But once the formula milk was introduced, my own milk production slowly started decreasing because she was coming to the breast a little less. With visitors, events, and the general anxiety of being a new mom, the formula feeds slowly increased while breastfeeding decreased. Those first few weeks were difficult — she was always gassy, unsettled, screaming, waking at night, and going on and off the breast. Even when we asked professionals later, most of the advice centered around formula solutions — changing formulas, adjusting feeding methods, or focusing mainly on latch or oral dysfunction. No one really explained things like supply and demand or how to actively rebuild breast milk production. And trusting that breastfeeding would work or how to wean a baby off formula. I was about to collect the lowest dose of psychiatric medication that two different professionals recommended for struggling mothers. My gynaecologist had suggested and prescribed it. Mothers are often anxious, and by lowering anxiety with these medications, prolactin — the hormone that aids milk production — can increase. That’s why I was going on the lowest dose, because the intention was to support milk production, not for psychiatric treatment. Being on the LLLSA (Parow) breastfeeding WhatsApp group helped me realize something important when the LLL Leader explained that breastfeeding works on a supply and demand system. She also mentioned that babies only need around 30ml of breastmilk per hour, which surprised me because I had been comparing breast milk to formula quantities and assumed my baby needed much more. One day I happened to be less stressed- stress affects supply - and my baby slept more during that day. [ LLLSA comment: Stress over short periods does not affect milk production; however severe stress may impact and slow down milk flow ]. She ended up going to the breast more often that day and had less formula. Even though it might have only been a few (3) extra breastfeeds, it seemed to switch something. Just as I was about to surrender to the idea of filling the script for those psychiatric medicines — determined to get my baby to breastfeed — my production increased, without needing that intervention. The next day my breasts already felt fuller. I was actually afraid to keep giving formula because I felt it was contributing to the gas and crying, so I decided to trust the process and keep putting her on the breast. Happily, since then we haven’t used formula again. Today she is two months old and it’s been about a week of exclusive breastfeeding and she’s doing really well. I’m sharing this because we doubt ourselves, especially as new moms. But understanding how breastfeeding actually works and being amongst advocates— having the right support — can make a huge difference. P.S.: I did the jungle juice, almonds, teas, moringa, ginger beer and that didn't help much.  P.S.S.: Sometimes my breasts felt empty/flat and too soft for there to possibly be anything in, but with some squeezing I would still find two hairline streams of milk coming out as much as I continued to squeeze. So flat/soft doesn't mean empty. “Let go and let God.” I still sometimes doubt whether she is getting enough, but the fact that she isn’t complaining reassures me that everything is okay, despite the possible oral dysfunction.