As a breastfeeding enthusiast I thought I’d take the opportunity of World Breastfeeding Week to share my journey highlights and struggles, and add in some breastfeeding facts.
I fully support ALL women and mums, we all do our best with what we can, and we make choices based on what we feel is best at the time. Nobody should feel guilty for the way we raise our children. That said, 73% of women in the UK start breastfeeding, but 56% of them stop within the first 3 months. If it’s “the most natural thing in the world” then why is this the case?
Unfortunately, though the image gives a number of reasons, I cannot answer my own question. What I can do however, is raise awareness; share some facts, talk about my experiences AND I can cheer you on because even if we’ve never met, if you want some support, I am 100% willing to give it.
Breastfeeding is HARD. Actually, being a mum in general is hard – but your baby still thinks you’re the best, so keep going. You’ve got this!
5 Breastfeeding Facts:
Fact 1.
Women all over the world breastfeed, regardless of their diet. 99% of women can physically produce enough milk for their babies provided the relationship between mother and child is not interrupted (I.e. child is demand fed to establish good supply).
Fact 2.
After birth colostrum is produced (yellowish coloured milk) which lines the intestines of a newborn baby. Colostrum is highly concentrated with immune factors to help the baby mature.
Fact 3.
Breastfeeding is environmentally and economically friendly. No bottles mean no waste, and also no expense. Breastfeeding is free, and it means you can go out and not worry about taking “food” for baby because it’s already with you.
Fact 4.
Mum’s are healthier. Breastfeeding increases the speed of which the uterus shrinks back down; it lowers risks of breast cancer and ovarian cancer and protects against osteoporosis. It also delays periods returning!
Fact 5.
Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. Support is needed, sometimes positions need changing, sometimes baby has tongue tie. There are always hard days but support from partners and friends goes a long way.
There are many more, I’ll list some sources below, but talking about facts doesn’t always make things relatable. Talking about experiences does. My journey has been interesting, and it’s got better with time. Here are 5 of the many different moments that have stood out for me:
1. When my baby boy was born I had this perfect image of him still connected to his cord, placed on my chest and latching instantly. Instead, he was too tired to latch, I was exhausted, disoriented and losing blood, and I felt like I had already failed because I wasn’t mentally present for the first moments (and hours) of his life.
I know now that: Not all babies latch straight away… Labour is hard on them too so sometimes they just want to sleep.
2. Cluster feeding in week 3 almost killed me. I would be up all night, feeding and rocking him, standing up because if I lay down I’d fall asleep (and sitting was uncomfortable). I distinctly remember 1 night where I thought about giving up – maybe I wasn’t producing enough milk? Maybe he was just hungry? Maybe with formula he’d be happier? I understood in that moment why so many women, especially those who do not have enough support or information, pack it in and switch.
I know now that: Cluster feeding is when babies feed frequently, often it feels like they never want to come off the boob, because they are growing. It can also happen if they are teething or unwell and want comfort.
I also know that a week later my baby’s feeding had improved so drastically that I felt like a new (free) woman. Sticking through the first month was a challenge but it did get easier.
3. I had fountains of milk! I would go out (or stay home) and he’d latch, start the flow and then come up for air… and milk would spurt out of my nipple and everywhere! It’s funny to think about but I do remember feeling frustrated and embarrassed at points.
I know now: Supply sorts itself out after a few months and then this stuff doesn’t happen so much. Baby doesn’t care and most of the time nobody’s paying attention so it’s not as big of a deal as it may feel. Have a muslin square around just in case though!
4. Biting was a huge fear! It happened (and sometimes still does) but rarely. Once teeth started to cut, if he bit me I would put him down and he soon realised biting meant boob would be taken away.
There’s not really much I learned here, just that it’s normal but cutting teeth doesn’t mean they can’t be gentle, it just requires a new learning for them.
5. Boob smiles! Every mum knows this one and it still melts my heart. The cute smile while they feed or the giggles afterwards – makes it feel like there’s some magic in the milk!
Again not really a learning, but definitely a highlight (for me anyway)!
There is no question that breast milk is the prime source of food for a tiny human, but whether you breastfed for 1 day, 1 month, 1 year or until your child weaned naturally, there should be no guilt or shame involved. We all do our best.
Thank you for reading. If you are a mama in need of a little encouragement or if you just want to say hi, drop me a message. I’ll cheer you on!
Xoxo
R
Resources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/your-breastfeeding-questions/
Supporting you from pregnancy to parenting 
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