Our breastfeeding journey

in collaboration with The Geeky Mum

Reuben is fast approaching one and we are still going strong with our breastfeeding journey. Iv'e been wanting to share an honest, non sugar coated post on breastfeeding for a while now and since it's still world breastfeeding week it felt like the time was right.

I will start by saying this, breastfeeding isn't for everyone and that's fine, we are lucky to live in an age where advanced science has given us a brilliant alternative and ultimately provided us with choice. It's important that we stop shaming each other and start respecting each others choices. (And yes this goes both ways).

So Here it is...

When Reuben was born he didn't feed at all for around 20 hours. Everything tells you that the baby will automatically want to latch on during those first skin to skin moments. But this isn't always true, it depends on the type of delivery you've had and the events that follow. Don't feel disheartened if this is the same for you, just keep asking for help and support and eventually you will have that all important first feed. I felt completely clueless at first but the support workers at the hospital were great.

Ok, The first few weeks of feeding are a HUGE shock to the system, let me tell you. Newborn baby's feed A LOT, especially at night as that is the "good stuff". You will most probably question if your child is getting any food at all because they surely cant need to feed again already!? But if they are swallowing, spending a decent time nursing and not loosing to much weight then they are. They are simply cluster feeding and putting their milk order in. When your baby feeds they are sending a signal to your body to make more milk. Its completely normal to spend a vast majority of your time as a new breastfeeding mum confined to the sofa/bed with a bundle of joy attached to your breast. But rest assured it will settle down, the cluster feeding will stop and the feeds will space out. If you can crack the first 6 weeks then you are well on your way. (if you are having problems though or simply feel something isn't quite right seek assistance).

Luckily for me iv'e always had a good supply but have never really leaked. This may not be the case for you, you may get through multiple pads a day. My let down was quite fast and occasionally a little painful but i found it quite comforting knowing he was getting the milk.

One of the best piece of advice i received was "don't give up on a bad day" and there were a few bad days to begin with, but If you have your heart set on feeding and really want to make a success of things and your body is allowing you to then this little nugget of advice will see you through. (There will be multiple times when you probably feel like giving up). You have to make a judgement about what is right for you, there is nothing wrong with stopping or supplementing if you feel that's the right thing. (don't feel guilty everyone is different).

Some feeds i would sit there in tears because my hormones were all over the place my baby needed me yet again, i was exhausted and my nipples were sore. (Feeding can be really quite painful in the early days, but lets be honest our nipples haven't experienced anything like it before) but mentally i was fine! i was just having a moment and as soon as my baby was fed and content again so was i!

Reuben has always been a hungry boy, before solids he would feed every 2 hours day and night most days. It was tiring but you somehow just cope. He was thriving and his weight gain has been spot on since he arrived. (he was back at birth weight by day 5)! Every time i went to get him weighed i felt immensely proud of myself and my body and what we had achieved together.

Once we were well established on 3 meals a day the feeds started dropping gradually and we are now down to 2 maybe 3 feeds in 24hrs. I have no plans to force Reuben to stop feeding, i will gradually try and introduce cows milk as and when he is ready.

In my opinion the greatest thing about our breastfeeding journey is the bond it's helped us to create. I absolutely adore our time spent just the two of us. Breastfeeding is the easiest thing in the world now. We've overcome our hurdles, found our positions and confidence and rode everything thrown our way! (Mastitis i'm looking at you).

click here to read Elle's story on her breastfeeding journey.