Women’s Health Paper

Resources and support were mainly online because I didn't know how to seek them in person at the time.

I do wish there were more physical support groups or assistance provided from IBCLCs.

Also want to share the pediatrician you choose and their views and knowledge on lactation is sooo important. There are so many pediatricians that advise against a healthy breastfeeding journey when mom is struggling, and that actually helps no one. Was super thankful to have my pediatrician.

I breastfeed my son exclusively for 15 months! I had a c-section and was in a lot of pain and a lot of breastfeeding positions weren't working out for me we had a lactation consultant in multiple times a day nothing was working and we used donor milk and I used a pump in the hospital but when we were discharged I went home and my mom came to our house and something just clicked I think it was that the environment was more comfortable I didnt worry so much about the time between feeds I just feed him on demand and not a schedule

My feeding journey was my least favorite part of having a newborn. I did not want to do formula. That was a last resort for me, but I ended up having to do 24/7 for 3 months, because, as my husband pointed out, pumping took a toll on my mental and emotional health. I was trying so hard to troubleshoot whatever was wrong with my low supply I could never seem to increase. I tried for 7 months as I combo fed (after being able to mostly breastfeed for the first 3). I have flat nipples as well, I had NO idea how to navigate that, so I wrongly went off of what I was told in the hospital- that I could only do it with nipple shields. I want to try to do it without any "extra" equipment next time I have a baby.

I've been breastfeeding for 2 years now, to a 2 year old and an almost 1 year old. The hardest part was definitely the cracking of my nipples the first 2 months & the teething stage... I almost gave up breastfeeding twice the first year but the only thing that kept me going was my bd constantly trying to motivate me. It is so draining but I saw my mom exclusively breastfeeding 3 of us and I just never had a different option (in my head). I do wish I would've gotten more support but it was also kind of my fault for not knowing how to ask. I also never pumped bc I didn't know how & when I tried to figure it out I couldn't 😅.

Hey girl i love this for you! Let’s get to that degreeee yessss !

- I had a midwife who spoke to be about lactation and helped with the latching process. My main issue was that my daughter had the suction of an extreme power vacuum and my poor nipples were extra sensitive and sore so it was a struggle to breastfeed and she started with formula until I was able to literally suck it up and let her feed on me no matter how painful it was. At her 1 months, breastfeeding felt much more natural to me and now 7 months in, i’m a champ.

- I wish i was forewarned of how painful those first few weeks could be lol and i also wish i knew that literally all the things i couldn’t do while pregnant and all the things i also can’t do while breastfeeding and i want a tattoo !! lol but i think i’ll look back on the sacrifice and it’ll be worth it.

Hey, I’m 6 months postpartum and exclusively breastfeeding! 🤗

I have mixed feelings about the support around breastfeeding. I know that if I needed support that I could contact my HV, GP, local hospital’s LC team, and if I look on Facebook I often find local breastfeeding support groups. I have had a lot of encouraging conversations and some that were genuinely helpful, but I have noticed A LOT of professionals that I turned to for help, didn’t know much about breastfeeding or gave incorrect advice. 3 days postpartum in the hospital and the midwives and LC’s were surprised that my baby was latched onto me for an hour.

I do wish that I had some friends that I could turn to talk about it at times I suppose! It’s quite lonely being a Mum at 21 and I have no one to just chit chat with about breastfeeding as I don’t know any other breastfeeding mums.

My baby has cows milk + soya allergy! It’s been really hard to get consistent care, as my HV has been on sick leave.