Breastfeeding guide
There are many outdated perceptions and myths around Down syndrome, one being that ‘babies with Down syndrome can’t breastfeed’.
We share this guide to give you and your baby the best chance possible to breastfeed successfully. We want to not only educate and empower new and expectant mums, but also the medical professionals who are supporting within the community.
We hope this guide will provide you with all the information you need to enjoy a successful breastfeeding relationship with your baby.
Breastfeeding Peer Support
PADS has a Breastfeeding Supporter – Sarah Ojar – who has extensive experience and knowledge around breastfeeding. Sarah has been a breastfeeding peer supporter with the Breastfeeding network since 2016 and has been volunteering on the National Breastfeeding Helpline since 2021.
We are proud to collaborate with the Breastfeeding network to train their volunteers around breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome. Sarah also delivers training to any infant feeding specialists and other interested medical professionals.
Breastfeeding Research
At DSUK we are passionate about ensuring women wishing to breastfeed their baby has access to accurate realistic information and support.
Through our pregnancy, new parents and breastfeeding online community, we were aware that there is a lack of accurate information and support around breastfeeding a baby with Down syndrome, and so in 2021 conducted research and published the findings in our Breastfeeding Report.
Our research shows that babies with Down syndrome can be breastfeed and we have many mothers who do so for many months and years. The health benefits of breastfeeding are well known, we are of the view that the impact on a mother’s mental health and well-being should also be considered by medical professionals when considering feeding recommendations.
For those mothers in the UK looking for information and support around breastfeeding their baby with Down syndrome.
