Breastfeeding in Stephanie’s words. (with giveaway)

Whether your breastfeeding journey is just beginning or 10 years in we all have different experiences. In this series I will be sharing journeys and experiences from a range of people who have breastfed or are currently breastfeeding their littles.

Stephanie’s journey with her 3 children.

Was / has your breastfeeding experience been positive? Explain your feeding journey.

Child 1. It was traumatic. My milk didn’t come in. I kept raising concerns during a 5 day hospital stay and was told it was fine. He ended up losing too much weight. I ended up bottle feeding. Lack of support directly after giving birth. I wasn’t helped to try and feed until he was 4 hours old. 

Child 2. It was ok. Difficult. I managed to combo feed for 2 months but it was very long and tiring having to breast feed, offer breast milk in the bottle then formula. Then pump milk ready for the next feed. Again not a lot of support after giving birth. Didn’t get help to feed until she was 2 hours old. 

Child 3. I’m still exclusively breastfeeding at 12 weeks. It was hard for the first few weeks but I had great support directly after birth and the weeks following. She was placed on me within the first hour and I had staff keep checking and helping. 

How long did you breastfeed for? Did you plan on feeding that long?

1. 5 days. Planned to breastfeed for st least 6 months. 

2. 2 months. Again was hoping for 6 months. 

3. Currently breastfeeding at 12 weeks. Hoping to go at least 6 months -12 months. 

Did you have support from health professionals?

1. No. 

2. Only a little. 

3. Yes. Great support I think due to being on a ward that checks for sepsis. More staff to help. 

Did you have support / help from family/ partner / friends?

1. No. Partner was abusive. Friends weren’t interested. 

2. Partner wasn’t interested much. Friends were around a little. 

3. No friends around. Partner not interested. 

What was the best breastfeeding advice you were given?

Not to put pressure on myself. Fed is best even if that’s formula. Ask for help if you need it. 

What is something you wish you were told about breastfeeding before you began?

It’s hard and it’s ok to feel like you don’t want to anymore. It’s ok to cry. It doesn’t make you a bad mum. 

Did / have you ever experience negative comments whilst feeding? Was you worried you would before you started?

Never fed 1 or 2 in front of anyone. Was far too worried, partly why I stopped feeding baby 2 after 2 months. With baby 3 I’ve fed her out and about and nobody has been rude. 

What was your favourite thing about breastfeeding your baby?

Currently it’s how convenient it is. No bottle prepping. Worrying about carrying enough bottles. No cleaning up. But the best is the bond. 

What kept you going on the hard days/ nights?

I knew what I wanted and didn’t want to stop. I had great support and knew I could push through. It was my 1 to 1 time with baby. 

Thank you so much to Stephanie for taking part, if you would like to take part then please email me [email protected]. Breastfeeding for a month or decade, your journey counts and we’d love to hear from you.

We are also going to be doing little giveaways as much as we can to run alongside our breastfeeding series, all things will be aimed towards breastfeeding or self care. This week we are giving away a BOOBIE MUNCHER bib from Needles n Threads Embroidery.

Boobie muncher bib giveaway

Good Luck!