I’ve learned a few things about breastfeeding. Most importantly–when it’s easy, it’s easy. But lord, when it’s hard, it’s hard. We had a steep, Everest-sized learning curve (as you already know). We wouldn’t be here at nearly 12 months still feeding like a pro without support from a lot of great people.
The Partner
There’s absolutely no way I could have endured our breastfeeding battle without the unwavering support of my hubby. He is now a lactation expert and spent hours researching online, watching videos and reading books about breastfeeding when I was far to exhausted with a sleepless, hungry baby to digest anything. He never judged my decisions, never put pressure on me to take an easier route and was always there to pick me up when I was down. Ladies, make sure you have a partner in your partner. They should know the hows and whys of breastfeeding and should never, ever judge your parenting decisions.
The Professional
In Ireland, we have access to some amazing free health services that are often taken for granted. I was so lucky to be on the Holles St Community Midwives Domino Scheme, so all my antenatal and postnatal care was free. They visited me for the first 10 days after Nate was bron and were very helpful in figuring out where our breastfeeding problems came from. All new Holles St moms have access to the lactation consultants. In the early days, it may be hard to make a trip back to the hospital, but it is worth it for the early intervention and support. The most amazing support I had was from a PHN based in Greystones. If you’re having any trouble breastfeeding in Wicklow, ask for Helena. She works primarily as a lactation consultant for the Wicklow health service. She’s a friend of my MIL and spent her annual leave days working with me and developing a plan to get Nate to feed. She’s a genius. Talk to your PHN, many have gone through the lactation counselling training and should be able to help.
The Community
If you are struggling, don’t suffer in silence. Find women to talk to at La Leche League or Cuidiu meetings, attend your local breastfeeding clinic or chat up other breastfeeding moms that are out and about. The most liberating moment was my second visit to the Rathgar breastfeeding group when I realised that half the women there were experiencing similar problems. Finally I was able to relax a bit and not feel like an outsider. I wasn’t a failure because feeding was hard, I was a fighter.
The Interweb
Obviously there’s a wealth of knowledge out there about breastfeeding. I’m not so much a forum gal, so I did found most information from Kelly Mom and Dr Jack. They were especially helpful in learning about tongue ties.
This post is part of the Breastfeeding Bloghop. You can share your breastfeeding stories every Thursday too by clicking here.
Last week Nate celebrated his first birthday with a super fun polka dot themed garden party. Luckily the rain mostly held off, so our crew of 10 babies and 25 adults could play indoors and outdoors. We had a ball pool, slide, tricycle, BBQ for the grown ups, mini pizza for the babies, grown up carrot cake cupcakes and baby cake carrot cakes (sugar free!). It was really relaxed and so much fun to have all our playgroup friends over with their partners. Chris and his family really got a kick out of seeing all the babies. You forget that civilians aren’t used to the chaos of so many little people.
We made Nate his own special two-tiered carrot cake with no sugar, but frosted it with the good stuff. He was hesitent at first, but once our back was turned he devoured it. I stopped him when he’d eaten half of one tier. He was in a little food coma after that and sat on my friend Jenn’s lap with his tongue hanging out for about 30 minutes. That’s how you celebrate a birthday!
