This week we are marking World Breastfeeding Week and some women who have birthed at Lancashire Teching Hospitals have kindly shared their stories of how breastfeeding looked to them and how they overcame challenges. You can take a read of them below.
Lauren and Xander
"As a midwife myself, I was aware of all the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding, but I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself with feeding as a first-time mum.
Due to previous surgery on one side, I had been advised by a consultant I would not be able to breastfeed from that side and that feeding at all could cause issues. This definitely made me doubt whether I would successfully breastfeed.
From 36 weeks, I was determined to hand express to offer colostrum from birth even if breastfeeding was not going to be possible. I had hoped even if I could offer just a few feeds, I would be happy.
My little man arrived at 38/40 and breastfed amazingly from birth!
After lots of support and advice from our breastfeeding specialist midwife, and discussing all of my feeding options, I decided to continue exclusively breastfeeding on just one breast and would do this for as long as Xander and I were both happy.
It has not always been easy, but with the right support and encouragement, we’ve made it to 10 months of breastfeeding and counting!
Xander has absolutely thrived and I have loved our feeding journey more than I ever knew I would and I am so proud of what we have both achieved."
Hazel and Oliver
"My third, Oliver, was 6 weeks old when we went into lockdown. He was breastfed with supplements due to weight loss and jaundice.
We had our challenges with latch and aversion. At one point, Oliver was on more formula than breast milk. When we went into lockdown, there was a formula shortage, and I found it very stressful and became anxious my lactation was reducing.
So, I had a big talk with myself and said I can do this – in regards to exclusively breastfeeding. I had already breastfed my daughter Isabelle for 2 years, so I could do it with Oliver.
We ditched the formula and had a really tough 48 hours of breastfeeding, and it paid off.
Patience and perseverance really were the key to breastfeeding for me. It was so hard looking after two children during a time of lockdown and the unknown, but I am proud of myself and Oliver for getting to three years old before he self-weaned. One day he told me ‘Milky all gone’ and that was it, he had self-weaned."
Nicole and Oisín
"I breastfed my first baby until he was 3 years old. A relatively straightforward journey, and so when I fell pregnant, I was pretty set on breastfeeding again – this time with more knowledge and experience.
Oisín was born and latched perfectly. Our breastfeeding journey was off to a good start! However, 21 hours postnatally, I was rushed to hospital due to a heart complication. From the paramedics onwards, I clearly stated I was breastfeeding, and they, plus the ED staff, all ensured Oisín was kept with me at all times to support this. The doctors again supported this by selecting medication balanced with making me well alongside breastfeeding compatibility. When faced with a potential medication that was not compatible, I was offered all the information so I could make an informed choice alongside support and consideration for my supply if my own milk could not be provided.
I had to be admitted to a specialist ward where my worries about being separated were dissipated by the cardiac ward manager securing me a side room, so Oisín could stay as a ‘healthy lodger’ with my husband caring for him. At every stage of my care, the importance of my breastfeeding was considered in all plans, including placements of observational equipment and maintaining my own dignity. I received maternity support from the midwifery team whilst on the cardiac ward and Oisín never left my side.
Once home, Oisín was feeding well but his weight was faltering. Following advice from my health visitor, we thought it could be cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). I was able to continue breastfeeding even though I have had to cut out milk (which is in everything) from my diet, then soya, and then we found out he had reflux too. He is finally back at his birth weight centile.
Oisín is now feeding well and is a happy and healthy baby. We have achieved 6 months of exclusively breastfeeding! In spite of challenges, I am pleased we persevered, and we were supported to continue breastfeeding."
Julie and Conor
"I had a straightforward time breastfeeding my two sons and plenty of milk, so when my second child came along, I decided to donate some of my milk to Chester Milk Bank.
I found it easy enough to contact the Milk Bank, answer the screening questions, and have some screening bloods taken. Following acceptance, I had to pump at least 2 litres every 3 months, which luckily I did not find difficult.
The only downsides are:
- You have to check your freezer temperature every day, so you cannot express and donate if you go on holiday or similar. I sadly lost about 2 litres once because the freezer door popped open!
- You have to be aware of restrictions for donating – caffeine, alcohol and certain medications. You cannot have certain ones like ibuprofen.
The process and pumping I found easy even if it did mean getting up early to sterilise and express which was quite gruelling!
I have just stopped donating after returning to work. Conor is now 14 months old and we remain breastfeeding."
Laura and Tilly
"My breastfeeding story started with my second baby. I unfortunately stopped feeding my first at 3 weeks old due to pain and damaged nipples.
I knew when I was pregnant I wanted to get it right this time and ‘work through the pain’ and not give up like last time.
However, this time I did not need to.
I found the breastfeeding support groups where I gained confidence in feeding in public, but mostly it was a place where the ladies understood how I was feeling. The tiredness, the no space or time out, how hard breastfeeding is at times. But they were also the group of ladies you shared your success stories with.
I was worried about feeding in front of anyone who was not my family or close friends. Due to the amount of feeding she needed, we had to get past that quickly. We have fed in queues, on walks, on aeroplanes, at the side of swimming pools, and just about everywhere else we have been. I am so happy I have managed to continue breastfeeding, and I would not change it for the world. The bond I have with my baby is amazing, and I am incredibly lucky to share this journey with her.
So here is to the power to be able to feed her, comfort her, and protect her."
Gemma and Maggie
"I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my daughter. After not being able to breastfeed my son, it was my dream to give my daughter my own milk and exclusively breastfeed.
My beautiful Maggie was born in May, and we had the most beautiful water birth, skin to skin, and she latched instantly. The midwives commented on what a natural she was, but I felt something was not right. Fast forward to me asking for support for unbearable pain leading into cracked and bleeding nipples. I was advised everything looked good and it might be the initial breastfeeding pain. Once home, the pain was too much, and I decided to use formula. A couple of days later, I tried at the breast again to have the same issues. For my own mental health, I could not do it.
Fast forward again, at this point Maggie has been formula-fed for 7 weeks, constipated, and I decided I was going to attempt to get my milk back and give breastfeeding one last shot. I did not realise health visitors could support with this, so all by myself, armed with the information from the internet, I started expressing 8-12 times a day. Following being disheartened by nothing happening, I then discovered Domperidone which, with the help of the GP, was prescribed. Two days later, I was able to provide enough milk for a whole bottle feed. Following a health care assistant coming to the house, I contacted the Health Visitor for further support and I attended a baby clinic. They spotted a Lingual Frenulum (otherwise known as a Tongue Tie) and referred us for assessment to see if this was impacting and causing the pain. Now, 3 weeks into the journey, I am producing between 16-18 ounces a day and trying Maggie at the breast in between these feeds. Now I know it was not because I was not able to ‘hack the pain’ and it spurs me on until her appointment.
Now, Maggie is feeding off me for all feeds in 24 hours aside from 2 bottles. These past days have been so beautiful for me and Maggie, and I am so unbelievably proud of her. I still do not know how it will pan out, but for now, I will take every precious moment with my baby girl. This has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but that feeling of feeding my own daughter, nothing has ever felt so worth it."
