Category: MoMa Breastfeeding

MoMa is a mother-led, not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to providing mother-to-mother support for breastfeeding. We are neither sectarian nor political. Our purpose is to support mothers in the normal course of breastfeeding, from pregnancy through to weaning. 

We do this through in-person and online meetings and, where needed, by giving one-to-one support. We are committed to supporting all mothers and their children, regardless of cultural or economic background, race, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics. Our regular in-person and online meetings are single sex as the best means of delivering support to the mothers and children who we serve.

We recognise that breastfeeding is enhanced by the loving support of the baby’s father, or a co-parent, partner or close family member who values the breastfeeding relationship, and so we sometimes hold additional meetings where those people are welcome. 

Being clear which services are female only and which are open to male family members or professionals is part of our commitment to inclusivity, legal compliance and treating everyone with respect.

In MoMa Breastfeeding we use simple, clear, sex-based language to communicate about breastfeeding. This ensures that we can provide accurate evidence-based information. It also ensures that anyone with English as an additional language or who has learning challenges can access our information. 

We understand that some mothers may identify differently and may reject the term “mother” altogether. MoMa Breastfeeding Counsellors will endeavour to use language for an individual that makes them comfortable. At times MoMa may make reasonable adjustments to the way in which we provide support to mothers who identify differently, in order to account for any special circumstances that may apply and to ensure that the needs of all our service users are met. In some cases mothers who identify as men, or have in the past, may require help and information which is outside the remit of our Breastfeeding Counsellors. In those cases we will support the mother and child concerned by signposting to more specialist services. 

As the Directors of MoMa Breastfeeding, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure that our policies are compliant with the law and with the guidance of the EHRC and we are confident that our approach to providing support to mothers and their children meets these requirements.

Mother-to-mother support

Mothers have always turned to each other for reassurance, encouragement and ideas. Mother-to-mother is the most natural and effective way of providing support for breastfeeding.

Our regular meetings are for mothers and pregnant women only, which enables free discussion and ensures privacy and dignity at what can be a vulnerable time. We believe that mothers are the experts on their own babies. We encourage the sharing of wisdom and experience. Just being among other breastfeeding mothers can be reassuring and empowering.

The mother-baby dyad

The dyad describes the unity of the baby and mother. It is created through pregnancy and by birth has become a finely tuned symbiotic relationship.

We recognise the dyad as the single most important concept in identifying and meeting the needs of the baby. In advocating for the dyad we advocate for the baby and recognise the mother as the centre of her newborn’s world.

The normal course of breastfeeding

Babies are born already knowing their mothers and expecting to breastfeed. It is also what the mother’s body has been preparing for through pregnancy and birth. Disrupting the normal course of breastfeeding has a detrimental impact on the health of both mother and baby. In the UK most mothers give up breastfeeding earlier than they want to.

We support mothers at every stage of the normal course of breastfeeding from pregnancy through weaning, and help guard against unintentional or unnecessary disruptions. We encourage mothers to recognise and trust their instincts and empower them to make their own decisions.

Birth and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding will follow more naturally for a mother who has been able to participate actively in her birth and who has experienced agency in that process. Complications during birth can sometimes have an impact on the readiness of the mother and baby to breastfeed or on their ability to do so comfortably but these challenges can nearly always be overcome with the right information and support.

Advocating for the child

We recognise that a baby’s need to be with his mother is as intense and instinctive as his need for food. Breastfeeding is a complete answer to the newborn’s demand for comfort and nourishment. When a newborn is with his mother early and often he helps to establish breastfeeding and ensure a reliable milk supply.

Breastmilk will naturally adapt to meet a baby’s changing needs. It is the only nutrition a healthy full-term baby requires until he shows a readiness for complementary foods around the middle of the first year. Ideally, breastfeeding will continue until the child outgrows the need.

Mothering through breastfeeding

When a mother meets her baby’s primal need for comfort and nourishment through breastfeeding, she strengthens her bond with her baby and enables her sensitivity to his changing needs to develop naturally. The breastfeeding relationship evolves as the child grows and establishes a firm foundation for attuned mothering throughout childhood.

Recognising the whole family

We provide information and guidance to fathers, co-parents, partners and family members who wish to understand the normal course of breastfeeding and support the breastfeeding mother and baby. We recognise that breastfeeding is more likely to be successful and sustained when mother and baby can rely on loving and positive support from those around them.