So this weekend marks the start of World Breast Feeding week. My journey in this world has been diverse to say the least - and this year as the focus is on breaking down the taboos surrounding discussing and seeking support I wanted to share my experiences.
I had to share the photo below (with full credit shown) as I have experienced all forms of feeding shown. With G I tube fed expressed milk for as long as i felt able. With Tiggy we have had an even more complex time due to tongue tie, poor latches and Covid restrictions and so I have expressed, bottle fed, used her sister’s NG tube to set up a home made supplementary nursing system (literally taping a tube from a bottle to my breast) and then ultimately breastfed when she finally worked out what to do. I will NEVER shame anyone for the choices they make. I believe fed is best in its widest sense (and that also means choosing a blended diet not formula for G in the end, contrary to NHS guidance). But the most important aspect is actually being INFORMED. It turns out breastfeeding can be bloody difficult and not always the ‘natural’ instinctive act media would have you believe. What frightens me is how little support there has been for either of my children in terms of making the best decisions for them and for me. I knew after G that establishing BF was important to my mental health- just like I realised I had to stop expressing for G after 10 weeks. But I left hospital with little guidance and a poor latch with tongue tie. It was only through powerfully supportive conversations with close friends (esp Jane Alagappa-Bass , Louise Smith and Nicola Sheldon ) and some wonderful input from La Leche League Barnet that I navigated my way to an end point i felt happy with. The fact i happened to have a couple of NG tubes and felt confident using them was also an unexpected side benefit. So please lets advocate for better support and input so people can establish what is right for them and their family and make informed choices. And then let us respect those informed choices and support each other in the paths we follow. I worry that lockdown will have left so many first time (and repeat) mothers struggling - so I hope you can hear my shout out for the wonderful job you are doing. And finally a personal picture which i am very proud of- proving you can feed anywhere when you are having a first socially distant cuppa with a friend! #WBW2020 #lalecheleague #breastfeedinginlockdown #tubiemum
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AuthorThe mothers of La Leche League Barnet. These Blog posts were inspired by a discussion during our Zoom meeting in August 2020, during World Breastfeeding Week. We talked about influences on our breastfeeding journeys: our initial imagination of the process and how reality shaped us, and was shaped by us and our circumstances. Please enjoy reading these raw and honest accounts, to give you a more realistic picture of what breastfeeding can look like in REALITY. Share widely if you wish. ArchivesCategories |