Where the heart is...

Effath Yasmin is India's leading IBCLC, a biodynamic craniosacral therapist from Mumbai, India and founder of Nourish & Nurture. Her special interests lie in infant oral and sucking dysfunction, tongue-tie assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, biomechanics of breastfeeding and treatment of birth trauma, anxiety and depression. Yasmin serves on the national board of Birth India and international advisory board of ICAP (International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals) and GOLD Conferences. She is also the producer and director of an award-winning international documentary film Untying Breastfeeding screened across many countries.

- Effath Yasmin

The process of breastfeeding is beautiful. However, breastfeeding in an environment of love and support strengthens and supports a mum. Early in the postpartum period, most mums feel nervous and exhausted recovering from the birthing experience or from a C-section birth, coupled with caring for a newborn.

The home—including the family—and the environment are critical in making this process fulfilling for both the mother and baby. Research suggests that a majority of young mothers experience fatigue and physical exhaustion along with sleep deprivation, during the postpartum period. This is in addition to general body pain, after-effects of medical intervention during birth, piles, haemorrhoids, constipation, and breastfeeding problems. These hurdles can be eased with small yet wholesome changes in the environment and home. Unfortunately, currently, the pandemic is cause for the outside environment to be tense, fearful, and anxious. Yet, on the flip side, it can been as a extended nesting time for the new mother and baby. Here are a few ways to enhance your breastfeeding experience, and make the best of it while you can:

CREATE A SAFE AND LOVING SPACE