When I fell pregnant with Ava last year I knew I wanted to give breastfeeding another go as unfortunately it didn't work out the first time around with my son Noah. I didn't want to put any pressure on myself but I knew that I wanted to start fresh and give it another try. With this in mind I teamed up with Medela just before Ava was born and wrote all about my breastfeeding hopes and fears which you can read here.
I've now been breastfeeding exclusively for two months and can happily say that it's going really well and I couldn't be happier with our journey so far. That being said the early days and weeks can be tough so I thought I'd write all about my own personal experience so far.
Before I get into all that I want to start by offering encouragement to any expectant mothers out there who are wanting to breastfeed or thinking about trying to. Whether it be their first child, second or tenth, if you've not been able to previously or are unsure about it. If you want the encouragement then please do take it and just give it a go, what's there to lose? Don't let previous experiences put you off as I could have easily done. I'm so glad that I tried again as it's been a whole different experience this time around.
I've now been breastfeeding exclusively for two months and can happily say that it's going really well and I couldn't be happier with our journey so far. That being said the early days and weeks can be tough so I thought I'd write all about my own personal experience so far.
Before I get into all that I want to start by offering encouragement to any expectant mothers out there who are wanting to breastfeed or thinking about trying to. Whether it be their first child, second or tenth, if you've not been able to previously or are unsure about it. If you want the encouragement then please do take it and just give it a go, what's there to lose? Don't let previous experiences put you off as I could have easily done. I'm so glad that I tried again as it's been a whole different experience this time around.
Let's start at where our breastfeeding story began, two months ago when Ava was born. The minute she entered the world she was placed on my chest for instant skin to skin and I gave her a cuddle in the towel as she gave out her first cry. I settled her in an exhausted haze and then brought her to my chest, she latched instantly and that is when our journey began.
We had to stay in hospital for 24 hours to be monitored after she was born which is a standard protocol when your waters break but your contractions don't start naturally. I didn't mind because it gave me time to rest and get my bearings before heading home with her. I remember laying in the hospital bed in the early hours with her and just gazing at her in awe. The midwives were amazing with me and one in particular offered me lots of support by showing me different feeding positions and gave me tips on how to get the ideal latch. Having this support so early on was just what I needed and I cannot thank them enough.
I found the first few days at home the toughest, especially at night. To begin with I struggled with her latch on the left side which made my nipple sore and cracked. As it was so sore I found myself feeding more on the opposite side as I wanted it to heal. Again I got great advice from the midwives who visited, they told me to feed through the cracked nipple, to apply lots of nipple cream and get lots of air to it because if I didn't feed on that side it could effect my supply. It was the perfect advice just at the right time. I did what they suggested and everything was fine in a day or two.
Then there's the cluster feeding, let me talk about that! When Ava was around two weeks old there was a couple of nights where she literally didn't stop feeding and being new to breastfeeding all kinds of thoughts and worries flooded through my head. Was she hungry? Was she not getting enough milk? Was there no milk left? Is this normal? I spoke to numerous people about this and they all assured me that it was all totally normal and it was her way of "upping supply" and perhaps a growth spurt too. So if you are currently going through a cluster feeding stage just bare with it, get comfortable, turn on Netflix and grab a load of snacks! It's the perfect excuse to relax and indulge while your baby does too!
We have now been breastfeeding for 10 weeks, a whole 70 days and our journey so far has been everything I had hoped it to be and so much more. I went into this thinking "just give it another go Jenna!" and now I can't imagine doing anything else! I love breastfeeding!
Do you have any breastfeeding stories you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them!
- Wrote in partnership with Medela.
She's just so beautiful :) xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story!:)
ReplyDeleteGreat to hew it's worked for you are enjoying it. I'm going to try again when my third baby arrives but I always find it so painful so we will see how it goes x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's working for you this time round. I think it's great to give breastfeeding a try if you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing your Breastfeeding Experiences. I think that is how Mums can support each other on the Breastfeeding Journey.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
10 weeks so far is fantastic. So glad that it is working for you. x
ReplyDeleteNice that you have had encouragement and support on your breastfeeding journey.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
Well done!!! I have so much respect for nursing mothers, I really do! I think there can be too much pressure put on mothers nowadays about feeding. Either way, us mums are bloody awesome whether we breast or bottle feed! I didn't nurse my son when he was born, I'd already pre-decided that I didn't want to. Although in hindsight I wouldn't have been able to as I was so ill afterwards, but I think I was very young also and didn't really have all of th information about it. If I have another baby I would like to try to breast feed. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes on your continuing Breastfeeding journey.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
Folks should definitely seek out help, if there are problems breastfeeding. Your child needs the special benefits (immunity, among them) that come from sharing mom's milk.
ReplyDeleteInspiration for all
ReplyDeletebreastfeeding has been greatest experience love the bond it creates
ReplyDeleteI breastfed my daughter Sheriah 4 until she was 10 months and now my baby charlie is 10 and a half months and I'm still breastfeeding, it's so rewarding and something to be proud of 😊
ReplyDeleteI found breast feeding really hard. I did with my daughter but abandoned it fairly early on with my twins
ReplyDeleteI breastfed Connor until he was 10 months old and continually bit me, then he went onto aptamil, he didn't sleep through until he was one, my two girls I bottlefed and they both slept through from 3 weeks old, Mollie is 16 weeks now and is so content xxx
ReplyDelete