At the time of writing this blog, breastfeeding seems to be a quote-on-quote trend here in the UK. From people championing women getting their boobs out in public to health fanatics drilling it into everyone why they must breastfeed their baby.
First and foremost, breastfeeding isn’t for everyone and that is OK. It certainly wasn’t for me but would I do it again? YES and over the next few blogs, I am going to try and condense my journey, sharing the reasons why I detested it and why I would do it again.
December 29th 2022 at 6:10, Mr Moo entered the world. Mr Moo is the name I will call my little boy throughout this blog. It isn’t his real name however, it is a nickname that has seemed to stick.
If you have already given birth, you will now know that the minute your little one enters the world, all being well, the midwife puts the baby on your chest. Luckily Mr Moo was fine and was given to me on my chest to find the boob which he did instantly! I was absolutely thrilled, he was doing exactly what was intended and the whole moment was magical.
For the next 24-48 hours he stayed there… suckling and suckling and suckling. Every time I tried to remove him, he screamed. I was in pain, my nipples were bleeding and I had 0 sleep as I was terrified of squishing him.
I would like to say it got better, and I guess it did but not for several months!
In the hospital, the midwives were incredibly helpful after they realised Mr Moo had a bad latch. If I had a pound for the number of times I heard about the right latch, I would be a rich lady. But what that means I am still unsure; I still question whether they actually know what a right latch looks like.
Anyway, after leaving the hospital it didn’t get better but I did carry on for the next 3 months and let's just say it was eventful and very painful. I had numerous conversations with professionals, some said Mr Moo had a tongue tie (he didn’t) some said I wasn’t producing enough milk even though my bra was soaking wet and others said I was doing it right. In conclusion, nobody had a bloody clue.
2 weeks in and I thought I was going to crack, I had spent all night with Mr Moo on my boob and spent my days sitting in his bedroom armchair. I moved from one room to another with the occasional 2 minute bath, but for most of it, I had him on my boob whilst trying to work. Writing marketing strategies, holding Zoom meetings and designing marketing campaigns whilst holding a baby and being in pain was incredibly hard.
By now, you will have realised I didn’t take any maternity leave which was a huge mistake. I will talk about it in a later blog. But for now…
I was exhausted. Without my Mam aka my angel, Mr J and my wonderful neighbours, I seriously think I would have cracked.
It was like the universe knew and sent a phone call from my fabulous neighbour (mother of 2). She called me, I cried and she came to my rescue! 2 hours later, there was a knock at the door with a goodie bag of everything I need to help my bleeding nipples, my pain and my sugar count :)
This is another act of kindness I received that I will always pass on to new Mummies who
are breastfeeding.
Here is what was in the bag for you to use or indeed pass on:
Soothing breast pads (Life savers)
Nipple cream
Nipple shields
Cold patches
A dummy
M&S Biscuits
Honestly, when you think you may give up, someone or something happens and you continue to be an incredible Mummy, bringing your beautiful human into the world. Just remember, you are teaching them and they are trying to understand you and why on earth they are not back in your tummy.
Every stage passes and it does get easier. Either that or you get used to it.
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