Lisa’s Breastfeeding Story.

When I fell pregnant I hadn't fully made the decision about whether I wanted to breastfeed but as my pregnancy progressed I made the decision that I was definitely going to do it based on what I had read about the benefits I had watched loads of videos and lives, some through HPHB and some through the Baby Show Live to help me prepare for what to do once baby arrived and getting the first latch/feed right.

After E was born I was rushed to surgery straight after so was unable to do his first feed, so the midwife (with our permission) fed him with a small bit of formula from a cup so not to confuse him when it was time for the breast.

When we did get round to the first feed I was initally very anxious about him latching on because I was worried it was going to hurt, but it didn't. I did however need lots of support from the midwife (I was still in hospital).

Over the first couple of days E and I had to find a position that was comfortable for us both.

We adopted the cradle hold which we are still using nine weeks later. After the first week my nipples really started to hurt and I would dread every latch because it was very painful. I would wince, grit my teeth and count through the first minute of pain. My friend told me it would get "100% better", but at the time I didn't believe her. She was right!

Over the nine weeks we have had loads of hurdles to over come, I was constantly leaking during feeds from the breast I wasn't feeding from and came across nipple shells after watching a video on the Boots website, they have been the best thing I have bought and I use them during every feed.

I also wear Lansinoh washable nursing pads every day and night incase of any unexpected leaks.

We thought E had oral thrush and he was on treatment for three weeks untill we demanded a swab and found out he didnt have it, we have also struggled through growth spurts, where we have had lots of fussing on the breast and stimulating behaviours and I also struggling with a fast let down. I

have received support from a local peer support group on Facebook who also referred me to the Infant Feeding Team for more support. We are now nine weeks into our journey and I am exclusively breastfeeding and loving it. We have the odd hurdles which we have to get over but overall I am glad I persevered through the pain in the early weeks because I now enjoy the time it allows me to have with E and the bond it has created between us.

It is also amazing to see that E is growing and gaining weight just from the milk my body makes for him, breastmilk really is magic!