World Breastfeeding Week

It’s World Breastfeeding Week, organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide.  This year’s theme is around breastfeeding and employment.  To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week three of our wonderful members are sharing their breastfeeding stories.  Thank you Sat, Carys, and Linda!

Sat’s Story

“My breastfeeding journey started with me thinking, “I can’t do this,” and “this is too hard” and then, “Oh my gosh, it works! I love this!” As a first-time mum, I did a lot of reading on feeding and decided that I really wanted to breastfeed, as I could provide my child with all the antibodies and nutrients that he would need.

After experiencing a very traumatic birth with my first child, we were then separated on our first night and that really set me back on my breastfeeding journey, as I wasn’t able to feed straight away.  Dealing with the transition into motherhood and the trauma of the birth was hard enough, but to add breastfeeding was even tougher.  I remember breaking down in the hospital when they told me I had to combination feed due to not being able to produce enough milk for him. It was so overwhelming.

I received so much support from the hospital breastfeeding team, who came to visit me several times to work on latching positions, to talk me through the journey and to help me to understand how it all worked. The support really helped, as I learnt the more that I fed the more I would produce.  The first month or so was vital in establishing that supply so I fed on demand, which was exhausting.  I invested in breast pumps, which I had to use after each feed in order to try and encourage the supply to meet the demand. Each feed lasted an hour and a half then then it started again an hour and a half later. It felt as though feeding was all I did. It was a difficult process to get used to.

4 years later, my second came along and I was just as determined, if not more, to breastfeed and told myself that this time would be different.  At the same time, I wasn’t going to allow myself to become as unhappy as I had become, the first time round.  My daughter was born via a planned C section, so the birthing experience was much calmer. I took all my learns from the first time and took a much more relaxed approach and it worked!  I trusted my baby to drink as much as she wanted or needed and didn’t worry about it.  I also had more confidence in myself feeding in public which really helped. I bought myself a cover and some breastfeeding bras which made it so much easier, and I really enjoyed the bonding time with my baby.  I think mentally, I was in a very different place with my second as I knew what to expect, I cared much less about what people thought and I prioritized feeding my baby over anything else!

Having said that, it has still not been without its challenges; from suffering from migraines and dehydration, not been able to enjoy a meal without having to feed, and sometimes just wanting a break, as my daughter was very attached to me and used the feeding for comfort, boredom, and just something to do!

Her weight gain slowed down when we introduced her to solids, due to still heavily breastfeeding, so I knew it was time to reduce the feeds. I decided that I would stop feeding in the daytime and stick with a feed before bed.  This was quite a challenge and, as I didn’t want to upset her too much by just saying no, I used plasters to cover myself up when it was time to feed. Luckily, she was quite accepting of this and we replaced the comfort feed with a hug!

My daughter is now a year and a half and I’m still feeding. If I could go back and give myself advice, it would be not to put pressure on myself. You can only do what your body will allow, and with two different breastfeeding journeys, both of my children are healthy, happy and thriving! ”

Carys’ Story

“Having breastfed my eldest son Louis, I was determined to do the same for Alfie when he arrived last August. I have to say I didn’t expect to still be breastfeeding 11 months later! I combi fed Louis from about 4 months and had planned to do the same for Alfie – but his complete refusal to take a bottle soon put an end to that idea! I have felt very fortunate to have been able to breastfeed Alfie for so long – it’s been brilliant when he’s been poorly and always been a comfort to him. We have definitely had our challenges – he got his first tooth at 3 months and now at 11 months almost has a full set! I was lucky that I had support of the local breastfeeding teams and the national breastfeeding helpline, both which have been invaluable in suggesting tips and different positions for making things more comfortable. Another huge factor in being able to have a successful breastfeeding journey is my employer – I have been able to take 13 months off work and they have been incredibly supportive throughout, offering a very generous maternity package. If I had wanted to return to work earlier they also provide a room specifically for breastfeeding mothers, which again is a huge support should I have needed to pump while at work. I know I am very lucky in this regard and would encourage employers to support their employees – the support my employer has given me makes me feel really positive about returning to work, and very committed to the company.

Breastfeeding is such a personal thing and I completely understand it is not for everyone! For me, it has been a special part of raising both of my boys and I am so lucky I have been able to do so. My breastfeeding journey will likely come to an end soon now that Alfie is turning one, and there will definitely be a little bit of sadness around that! For anyone choosing to breastfeed their baby, my advice would be always ask for help, because it is out there should you need it!”

Linda’s Story

“My name is Linda, and I am Mommy to 2 very lively boys; Mally who is 6 and Joey who is 2. Before my eldest was born, I suppose I had this idea of what motherhood looked like, and from the get-go breastfeeding featured heavily in this idealised imagine I had in my head. From even before I conceived, I knew I wanted to breastfeed, I had seen my sister feed her 3 children throughout the years and watching their bond and those special moments was magical. I was aware that not all breastfeeding journeys were straightforward, so I did what I did best and researched it thoroughly. I watched so many YouTube videos and the book “the womanly art of breastfeeding” became my bible – but let’s be honest, nothing can truly prepare you for when you have this tiny, beautiful baby in your arms and your main job is to keep this baby alive and thriving – how terrifying and what a responsibility! So then came the birth of my eldest, to say it didn’t go to plan is a slight understatement, after an ambulance, a 30-hour labour, episiotomy, forceps and then sepsis, Mally was finally here! My birthing journey was traumatic, and that trauma stayed with me for a very long time, but I can honestly say in the early days breastfeeding played a massive part of my recovery both mentally and physically – it was my sole focus, it didn’t matter how poorly or rough I felt I just needed to make sure this little bundle of gorgeousness was fed. Those first few days were stressful and confusing, I thought it would feel more natural than it did, and I expected the hospital staff to be more promoting of breastfeeding – its not that they weren’t, but I was surprised at how fast formula was encouraged. I remember sitting on the hospital bed feeling like a failure as a nursery nurse cup fed my 1-day old formula – I’m still not even sure why – but when you’re so new to it, tired and have a newfound anxiety of being a mother anything goes! Our breastfeeding journey became more comfortable when we got home, and I was surrounded with all my home comforts and had everything to hand. My sister was around to support me and whilst the notion of what you read in the books of nose to nipple was lovely – the technique of a full handful and shoving it in was much more helpful and successful for me, our journey had begun and Mally was feeding like a little trooper! I never really thought about how long I may breastfeed for, I never put a timescale on it, I also never realised how addictive breastfeeding would feel. I remember getting through those first gruelling 6 weeks, it felt like a milestone had been reached, I needed to get further, 6 months were reached and weaning began but still the journey continued. We reached 9 months and our pretty seamless journey hit a bump – Mally was teething, and my nipples were paying the price! For several weeks i remember the pain, the tears, the frustration as he fed and would then bite, all the tricks I read just didn’t work, people said to stop breastfeeding, but I couldn’t have our journey end in such a sad way, plus he just didn’t seem ready, and I certainly was not! We rode the wave and eventually that phase passed too, and beside a few very painful blips we kept going, albeit at a reduced rate, until Mally was 3! I was super lucky and was able to have a full year off work, so by the time I was back at work Mally could go for a substantial period of time without, but at every pickup my body would be ready to feed, bursting to feed quite literally – and Mally wouldn’t make it out of nursery before wanting a feed. Being back at work I relished even more the nighttime feeds, it was our chance to have time together and reconnect after a busy day, it was utterly exhausting, addictive and wonderful all at the same time. Just before Mally was 3 the feeding had naturally lessened and I knew our breastfeeding journey was over, I must admit for me personally by that point I was more than ready! I loved breastfeeding and the closeness I felt, but I also had that touched out feeling – I was ready for a bit of space and to embrace the cuddles!

A year and a half later and Joey came along via a planned C section! I was super worried about being able to breastfeed after a section – however this journey was even more seamless. I suppose second time around you know what works for you and your body. After breastfeeding for 5 years of my life my biggest piece of advice is “Trust your gut”, breastfeeding doesn’t always feel like the most natural thing in the world and that’s okay, do what works for you and within your own mental health limits.”