Rebecca Scott-Pillai, IBCLC and Sleep Coach

Rebecca Scott-Pillai, IBCLC and Sleep Coach IBCLC, holistic sleep coach, and newborn specialist. I offer breastfeeding consultations, help with your child's sleep, and support with newborn babies.

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and sleep coach working out of Lisburn. I am available to visit you at home to help with breastfeeding issues, or we can do an online consultation too. I've worked with families around the world! I love finding responsive and gentle solutions to parenting issues. You can book a free consultation with me here: www.rebeccascottpillai.co.uk/booking

23/09/2025

In light of recent news, we would like to highlight that the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has confirmed that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence that it causes autism in children.

www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-confirms-taking-paracetamol-during-pregnancy-remains-safe-and-there-is-no-evidence-it-causes-autism-in-children

You can also take the usual recommended doses of paracetamol if you are breastfeeding. Find more information in our Pain Relief (Analgesics) factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/analgesics/

If you need information on taking any medication while breastfeeding, please contact our The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Service team on Facebook or via email: druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

If you are unsure about taking any medication when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can also talk to your GP, health visitor, or midwife.

[ID: MHRA confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children. You can also take paracetamol at the normal adult dose if you are breastfeeding. Source: Pain Relief (Analgesics) and Breastfeeding Factsheet.]

I often see parents spending ages after night feeds winding or holding their babies upright for 20-30 minutes. The most ...
07/07/2025

I often see parents spending ages after night feeds winding or holding their babies upright for 20-30 minutes.

The most common explanation parents give me for this is that their baby grunts and squirms just before they wake up and usually passes gas. When this happens parents assume the reason for this is because they didn't get enough wind up and this caused their baby to wake.

Maybe.

But what if there is another explanation?

A normal pattern is for babies to feed to sleep. As they fall asleep, their digestion slows. We call this the "rest and digest" phase. They move from light sleep into deep sleep, then back into light sleep again. As they move back into light sleep, their digestion starts becoming more active too. As a result their gut becomes more active. It's normal for digestion to cause a build up of gas in the gut. This isn't caused by a baby swallowing wind, it's a different process.

So... what if... it's not trapped wind that's making them wake up, but they are passing gas because they are waking up? What if there is very little you can do to stop this natural process of them waking and passing gas?

It's exhausting and disruptive for everyone to wind a baby after night feeds. Why don't you experiment with feeding and putting your baby straight back down? Remember, as they feed to sleep, they drift off into a lovely sleep cycle where their digestion is slow. Sometimes winding them or putting them down mid-sleep cycle actually disrupts that lovely pattern of sleep. Then they stir, you end up feeding them to get them back to sleep, then their tummies are uncomfortable and full, then they they don't sleep well...

This way, you get back to sleep quickly too!

Experiment and let me know how you get on.

I had my first baby over 12 years ago. I thought I knew what I was doing. After all, I'd been a midwife for 10 years. Bu...
16/06/2025

I had my first baby over 12 years ago. I thought I knew what I was doing. After all, I'd been a midwife for 10 years. But breastfeeding didn't work out the way I'd hoped. I had postnatal anxiety, but didn't realize it. I just thought I was going crazy. So of course I didn't tell anybody. We struggled with sleep. A lot.

My breastfeeding problems led me to discover a wealth of breastfeeding knowledge that I didn't have as a midwife. So I trained to become a lactation consultant, to help other women avoid the problems I had.

And then I had baby number 2! Breastfeeding worked out second time around, I was a lot less anxious and put less pressure on myself. I wouldn't say I slept like a log, but sleep was manageable, and usually not too frustrating.

And then my breastfeeding clients started to ask about sleep issues. I had nothing, apart from saying "That sounds normal, it'll get better." And to be honest, I knew that some of these mums couldn't wait it out, they needed a better solution and the solution wasn't cry it out. So I got some fabulous training around sleep (Holistic Sleep Coaching and the NDC/ Possums programme).

The more newborns I worked with (and it's been over 20 years now!) the more I learned. If I'm being honest, young babies and their parents are my favourite group to work with. That transition to parenthood which is such a shock to the system, the unsettled behaviour, the intensity of it all. Pulling from my breastfeeding experience, my understanding of sleep, hundreds of hours working with babies, and hundreds of hours of extra study along the way!

If you need help with breastfeeding, sleep, a fussy baby, or even just some reassurance, check out my website: www.rebeccascottpillai.co.uk.

It's a real shame that in our society we need to be told it's ok to hold our babies, but the truth is we aren't spoiling...
09/06/2025

It's a real shame that in our society we need to be told it's ok to hold our babies, but the truth is we aren't spoiling them, babies thrive when being held. That position where they are all curled up on your chest is their default position. Here, they are able to calmly observe the world while being comforted by your warmth, smell, voice and heartbeat. Their heart rate and breathing become regulated and they produce less cortisol (a stress hormone) and more oxytocin, that hormone of love and bonding that also makes you feel good.

I often tell parents to "fake it till they make it". It's not uncommon for parents to not have a strong bond with their baby straight away. Going through the motions by holding your baby a lot helps you produce oxytocin too, so with time all those feelings grow and parenting actions become more natural.

A study published a couple of years ago found that when babies were held in kangaroo care (that curled up position on a parent's chest) for only 1 hour a day, they had lower cortisol levels, higher oxytocin levels (and so did their parents) and there was more cortical activity in the area of the baby's brain that promotes regulation. This just adds to the growing body of knowledge that we have that tells us babies need to be held. They thrive when they're held.

So sit back, relax, hold your baby and help them grow into a calm, happy human.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.101416

One b**b or two?Should you feed from both breasts per feed?When you have a newborn, it's is almost always a good idea to...
02/06/2025

One b**b or two?

Should you feed from both breasts per feed?

When you have a newborn, it's is almost always a good idea to offer both breasts at each feed. It would be pretty normal with very young babies for them to have one breast, have a short snooze, and then go for seconds on the second breast, and then potentially a third or a fourth helping! Switching regularly between breasts can really help to increase your milk supply, and the volume of milk that your baby gets.

So, for the most part, it's ok to let them finish on one breast and then offer the second breast, as long as you are seeing good sucks and swallows when they feed. Just bear in mind that you won't see swallows the whole way through the feed. Usually, you see them at the start, then your baby will switch to faster shallow sucks for a while, before going back to sucks and swallows again.

As they get older, they may decide that one breast is enough. And that's ok, providing weight gain is fine. Occasionally, babies get a really big volume of milk, even as newborns, and then it may also be appropriate to feed from one breast. This is usually the case if babies are gaining above average volumes of weight, and perhaps are a bit spewy or unsettled after feeds. These babies are the exception though! It's almost always a good idea to offer both breasts when you have a newborn baby.

We often have this image of "perfect" breastfeeding. Sometimes breastfeeding isn't perfect, but is still perfectly adequ...
17/05/2025

We often have this image of "perfect" breastfeeding. Sometimes breastfeeding isn't perfect, but is still perfectly adequate and functional. Here are some instances:

🤱You make just enough milk for your baby, you don't have a stash in the freezer.
➡️ If your baby is gaining weight well and following their centile line, you're making enough!

🤱Your baby has a preference for one breast and may feed more frequently from that side.
➡️There can be a number of reasons for this, often just because one side has more milk!

🤱In the early days, your baby occasionally splutters and chokes.
➡️Your milk supply increases rapidly in the first four weeks and the suck-swallow-breathe pattern is a complex one. It's normal for babies to occasionally struggle a little with the flow.

🤱Your baby spits up after a feed.
➡️Around half of all babies spit up a little milk after a feed.

🤱Your baby poops every time they feed.
➡️Breastmilk is a laxative! Feed and squit is a sign that your baby is getting loads of milk.

🤱Your baby latches on just to fart.
➡️This one is just so weird. But true.

🤱Your baby wants to feed constantly in the evening.
➡️Cluster feeding is really normal and it can feel like your b**bs are completely empty. They're not though!

🤱Feeds get shorter as your baby gets older, sometimes only lasting a few minutes. ➡️Some babies get really efficient as they get older!

🤱Your b**bs suddenly feel soft all the time at around 6 weeks.
➡️Your supply hasn't suddenly dried up, it's just your supply regulating itself.

🤱Your baby gets fussy and refuses to feed at around 8 weeks.
➡️Sucking stops being a reflex at this age and becomes a choice! Your baby may choose not to feed. Just offer a short time later and don't put pressure on them to feed.

🤱Your baby gets very distractible at around 3 months and may not feed in a noisy room.
➡️The FOMO is real at this age!

🤱Your baby starts waking up more at night time to feed (usually around 4 months). ➡️Really normal developmental leap with sleep - they aren't waking up more because you don't have enough milk.

That's just the stuff I could think about under six months! What would you add?

What is the most important thing you need to know to breastfeed successfully?Most people would say: Positioning at the b...
14/05/2025

What is the most important thing you need to know to breastfeed successfully?

Most people would say: Positioning at the breast.

And yes, I agree that IS important. It helps you get a deep, comfortable latch and baby will feed effectively.

But arguably, understanding normal newborn behaviour is as important, if not more so. If you understand what behaviour is normal (and what is not), it helps you see when breastfeeding is going well. It can reassure you. Or it can spur you into action to get support.

Let me give you an example: If you expect your baby to sleep in a cot, wake every three hours for a quick feed, and then go back to sleep again... well... you'll probably start to worry that breastfeeding isn't going well when your baby wakes every hour to feed and only settles on your chest!

But it's really normal for newborns to feed every hour, or want to hang out at the breast for ages, and only settle in arms! It's super intense, and it doesn't last for ever. And it doesn't mean that breastfeeding isn't going well. It is really normal.

That is why all the clients who book a long breastfeeding consultation with me also get free access to my Confident Calm Parent programme, which covers the first 14 weeks of your baby's life. You'll find out what is normal, what isn't, and how your baby's behaviour changes in those first 14 weeks.

It's also why I don't have a stand alone breastfeeding masterclass on my website. I DO have breastfeeding preparation but it's bundled with my Confident Calm Parent programme and my Simplicity Sleep for Newborns course. Successful breastfeeding happens when you parent in a way that supports breastfeeding, and you know what's normal and what is not. Only then do you know to get the help that you need.

https://rebeccascottpillai.co.uk/breastfeeding-consultations-lisburn/

Do you need to set some boundaries around breastfeeding your toddler? Perhaps nightwean, or stop breastfeeding completel...
10/05/2025

Do you need to set some boundaries around breastfeeding your toddler?

Perhaps nightwean, or stop breastfeeding completely?

Workshop: Stopping breastfeeding - toddlers

17th May at 10:30 am GMT
via Zoom

This workshop will give you all the tools you need to set some boundaries around breastfeeding. Whether you are ready to stop, or just make feeding a bit more sustainable for you.

https://clientportal.rebeccascottpillai.co.uk/public/form/view/6411bc6a103c39132b90fd74

You'll get:
-access to the Zoom recording for 4 weeks,
-a comprehensive weaning guide, and
-personalized advice for your individual situation.

Early bird pricing ends TODAY!

Book your spot for only £25

It can be tricky helping your toddler fall asleep easily (or stay asleep in their bed) when you have a newborn baby as w...
30/04/2025

It can be tricky helping your toddler fall asleep easily (or stay asleep in their bed) when you have a newborn baby as well. Newborn babies are often fussiest in the evenings when you're trying to get your toddler settled down for the night. Plus your newborn is probably waking up frequently over night and potentially disturbing your toddler too! Your toddler might be acting up more than usual, or needing more support at bedtime or overnight.

So, here are some tips!

Try to see it from your toddler's perspective. There's been a huge disruptive event in your child's life and they no longer have your full attention. But they still need the same amount of support and contact with you as they did before. Maybe even more. Do not try to make changes to how or where your toddler sleeps AFTER the baby arrives!

Don't use the baby as an excuse for why you can't do something with your toddler. Instead of saying "I can't read you a story right now because I'm feeding the baby", say "I'll read it to you very soon." Then when the baby is asleep, make a point of "telling" your newborn "OK, you sleep now, I'm going to read Sophie a story."
If possible, try to spend some time every day with your toddler on their own. Look up "Special Time" on the Aha Parenting website. It's a game changer!

If you, your partner and the newborn baby are all in the same room together and your toddler is in their own room, they are going to feel left out and alone. Get your partner to sleep in your toddler's room for a few weeks. Or offer your toddler a makeshift floorbed in your room.

If you have to do bedtime on your own, invest in a sling or carrier. You will probably not be able to put your newborn down for a second in the evening. But you can help a toddler with a bath, read stories to them, sit next to them, all while snuggling your newborn. You can even breastfeed in a sling, although it isn't hands free.

Don't try to get your newborn "down for the night" before your toddler. Newborn babies have a short night in bed, and usually it makes more sense to do the toddler's bedtime first and then go to bed when your newborn has finally finished cluster feeding for the night.

Why does my child prefer one parent and refuses the other? This is really common! It often starts when they are babies a...
28/04/2025

Why does my child prefer one parent and refuses the other?

This is really common! It often starts when they are babies and can continue up until school age. There really isn't anything wrong if you child does this, and it doesn't mean that they hate the parent they reject either. It all comes down to focus.

Children under the age of around 6 can really only focus on one thing at a time. It's hard to multitask: they often find it hard to shift their attention from one activity to another. They can't feel more than one emotion at a time: they either love you or hate you. They can't be angry about something you've said no to AND love you at the same time. They can only focus on one attachment figure at a time. It's all the same process in the brain.

They can have multiple attachments (to parents, grandparents, carers), but in the moment they can only focus on one attachment figure at a time. That is why your child rejects their other parent when you are around, but if you are out for a few hours, they are completely happy with the other parent. Their attachment shifts to that parent!

I have seen parents go to extreme lengths to get their child to accept the non-preferred parent at bedtime. Even going through a charade of waving goodbye to a parent (who then sneaked back into the house, but hid from the child) so that the non-preferred parent can do bedtime. Bottom line: do what you gotta do.

Sometimes the focus will change. You may find yourself completely rejected for a few weeks, while the other parent becomes the preferred one. If that happens, make the most of it! Remember: your child still loves you, they just can only prioritize or focus on one attachment figure at a time. And they will grow out of it eventually.

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