World Breastfeeding Week - Thoughts about Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding usually requires more than just breasts….

Sometimes it can be a lot of hard work!

For me, it was certainly a learnt skill. In the beginning my baby and I needed support. I am very thankful that we were able to access a lactation consultant who was able to help us each week for the first couple of weeks.

Mothers need so much support after their babies are born to be able to breastfeed if that’s what they wish to do.

They require supportive partners, families and friends - people who respect boundaries, offer help and avoid giving unwanted advice 😅

They require all meals and snacks to be nutritious and able to be eaten one handed 😆 preferably made by someone else!

They need time, time to work out their baby’s needs and time to be able to feed on demand to support their own milk supply and feed their ever-growing and changing baby

There are many other practical items needed while breastfeeding and sometimes the list is long and sometimes the list is short, it will always depend on what the baby and the mother need at the time, and everyday will be different

Because everyday you and your baby change and grow together ✨

Here is a list of items that might be needed or might not be needed, you don’t have to be influenced into thinking that all these ‘things’ will make it easier;

breastfeeding pillow, breast pump, lactation cookies, lactation drinks, nipple shields, silver nipple covers, breast pads, gel nipple pads, nipple cream, bottles, sterilizer, breastfeeding chair, more than one breastfeeding bra, clothes to breastfeed in, pajamas to breastfeed in, breastfeeding apps, a bracelet that you wear on the wrist of the side you just breastfed on so you know that you need to use the other boob next time 🙊

I’m sure there are other products on the market that could be added to this list….

Whichever supports you decide are needed for you and your baby is entirely up to you and your baby 💗

The Australian Breastfeeding Association had many online articles that I accessed in those early days that were very useful

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au

I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to breastfeed my baby for now 21 months. It has become something that I love and I am so thankful that I had the support I needed.

I realize sometimes this is not the case for everyone, and each and every mother can only do their very best and at the end of the day that’s all your baby needs.