This 4-hour breastfeeding preparation workshop (held monthly throughout the year) is aimed at first-time parents who are thinking of breastfeeding their baby and also those who have already had a baby but did not have the best breastfeeding experience. It provides a specialised deep dive into what to expect in the early days, how to get breastfeeding off to the best possible start and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls. We discuss breastfeeding mechanics, evolution of milk supply and troubleshoot different potential issues. We practice different breastfeeding positions and watch videos on latching and hand expression. We also look at the pros and cons of different types of pumps and discuss how to plan for breastfeeding if going back to work.

Often described as ‘natural’, breastfeeding can be challenging in the early days and weeks and is something that both mother and baby need to learn. This hands-on and practical course, led by certified breastfeeding counsellor and La Leche League Leader, Jane Piot, provides parents-to-be with a head start in building confidence in the body's ability to feed the baby and provides useful tools, knowledge, practical tips and resources to help them through the crucial early days, weeks and months of their breastfeeding journey.

Participants will gain a thorough understanding of:

• the mechanics of milk production, how breastfeeding works and the evolution of supply over the first few months
• the benefits of breastfeeding
• how to get breastfeeding off to a good start and build your milk supply (hand expression, breast compressions, colostrum harvesting)
• what to expect in the early days
• how to know your baby is getting enough milk
• different positions for breastfeeding, using dolls for practice
• how to prevent some of the common breastfeeding issues and how to troubleshoot any problems
• how to look after your breasts and the benefits of breast massage
• different types of pumps, how to navigate pumping and going back to work
• where to seek help if required

About Jane

Jane Piot is an experienced birth doula, certified breastfeeding specialist and La Leche League leader (she established La Leche League Vientiane whilst living in Laos). She and her family moved to Brussels in July 2024 and since then she has supported births in Brussels and Leuven and has provided personalised breastfeeding support to many BCT and non-BCT families.
She volunteers most Tuesday mornings at the Bumps & Babies playgroup and also runs the Breastfeeding Café once per month, both at the BCT’s Clubhouse in Ixelles.

“I feel honoured and privileged to accompany expectant parents as they transition towards parenthood and am grateful for the trust that they put in me to accompany them during often the most vulnerable times in their lives. I would love for all women who wish to breastfeed to have the best start possible and to breastfeed for as long as they and their baby wish to. By offering breastfeeding support, I hope to make a significant difference to both the quality and the length of their breastfeeding journey.”

If you have any questions, you can contact us at pregnancy@bctbelgium.org. Please note that there is no central office for course bookings. Our booking coordinators are volunteers working from home, so thank you for being patient and allowing a few days for a response.