Yes you CAN breastfeed your baby with Down Syndrome: Here's everything you need to know

Read Time | 3 minutes

Getting the news that you're expecting a baby who has Down syndrome may send you into a whirlwind of emotion. It's normal to feel scared, worried, disappointed, or angry, both immediately and as the weeks pass bringing you closer to your due date.

For some, you may not get the news until after you've delivered your baby, which provides even less time to digest the diagnosis and make a plan for how to navigate things in the future. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the amount of suggested testing and the number of referrals to various care providers.

And oft not talked about is the number of parents out there who have down syndrome themselves and desire to breastfeed but can't find resources that may make their journey a bit easier.

I've decided to create a blog series to share all the information I have regarding breastfeeding and Downs syndrome. Additionally, I want to provide a platform for parents who have navigated the journey of breastfeeding their babies with Downs syndrome to share their stories.

It's easy to feel that others view your baby as nothing more than a diagnosis being that it's the only thing on which people seem to focus.

Though there may be feeding challenges for DS babies, it's important to note that there's nothing different in the investigation or management of breastfeeding compared to other babies: it's just a situation we work with.

My goal is to help provide clarity as to why some babies may struggle or need more support during their breastfeeding journey. I also want to ensure you have information regarding the resources that are available to you should challenges arise.

Part 1 is going to focus on the anatomical variations that may be present in babies with DS. The impact these variations will have on the breastfeeding relationship will depend on the severity, but nearly all DS babies will have one or more of these variations.

Part 2 will introduce you to specific breastfeeding tips and techniques that will support your babies natural abilities to breastfeed and provide extra guidance if your baby needs a little extra help.

In part 3, I will discuss the different therapies, treatments, and activities you can pursue and help you make sense of all of the resources that are available to you.

Part 4 is going to cover the experience of breastfeeding as a parent with down syndrome. Though it's not often discussed, DS adults do start families and desire to breastfeed, and my goal is to provide informational support to help them on their journeys.

And finally, part 5 will be a compilation of stories written by parents on their experiences navigating their breastfeeding relationship. I will continue to add to that post as more parents share their truth.

Part one: Anatomy

Part two: Strategies

Part five: Debra & Xander’s Story

Part three and 4: Coming soon!

If you want to share your experience with other readers, please contact me or send your story to shondramattos@gmail.com.