Faye’s Breastfeeding Story.

I am a first time Mum to baby Oscar who was born right at the start of lockdown.

I had no real strong opinion on breastfeeding before I fell pregnant or even during my pregnancy. I knew I would try it and I excitedly bought all of the breastfeeding paraphernalia, but I also knew that I wouldn’t be devastated if it didn’t take.

Initially, Oscar took to it really well. That first feed after he was born was amazing; I couldn’t believe he knew what to do and my body was responding the way it was!

I had an emergency C-section so my milk didn’t come in straight away but, despite that, Oscar was confident and I took my lead from him.

Even though it was exhausting (and painful for a few seconds at the beginning of each feed) I didn’t care as I felt such a bond and such love whenever he fed. This carried on for the first 4 weeks until, one day, Oscar just would not feed well.

He was becoming more fussy and more distressed with every unsuccessful feed which, in turn, was making me stressed. It carried on for another couple of days until finally, with both of us in floods of tears, my husband took Oscar away and gave him a bottle. It needed to happen. That was the abrupt end of my breastfeeding journey with Oscar.

Although I was sad at the time, looking back now it was the right time for us. Moving to bottle feeding meant that Oscar was feeding better and our feeding experience was, once again, positive and loving and not filled with frustration.

From then on, Oscar had expressed breast milk from a bottle and combination fed until 8 weeks when my supply finally dried up. He’s been formula fed since.

Had times been different and I could have accessed support immediately, maybe I would have breastfed for longer. Who knows?

I don’t feel bad or guilty that I didn’t though, I just feel lucky that I could and proud that I did for as long as I did. Ultimately, we just need to do what is best for us and baby: you alone will know what that is.

Listen to all the advice, guidance and support you’re given but whatever feeding route you choose know that, for whatever your reasons might be, you’ve chosen the right one for you