Breastfeeding

As a young breastfeeding mother, I wasn't given all the information before making my choice.

Before I start, I have nothing against mothers who decide to formula feed their children, it's amazing how science has developed a substitute for breastmilk designed for those who are unable or don't want to breastfeed.

For one, breast milk has many different benefits; from giving your child nutrients to help them develop, to developing their immune system. If the mother was to become ill, For example the flu, her breast milk will begin to produce antibodies to fight off the infection or illness, so the child has a less chance of becoming sick.

Not to mention that a woman can burn up to 500 calories a day. There isn't a hassle preparing bottles or sterilising? It's the perfect temperature, only problem with this is that you can't measure how much milk the baby is taking in. In addition, it's free.

For me the most nerve wracking thing about breastfeeding, is public feeding. Bringing the fear of feeding in front of others. People stare, people give me dirty looks. I've heard so many horrible comments; "feed in the toilet," "that's disgusting," "I'm trying to eat."

If someone doesn't get offended by a young girl walking round with her body out, how is it a problem for a woman to feed her child? No one complains when a child sits at a table to eat? Or when a bottle fed baby gets fed, it's so different for breastfeeding children!

I'd much rather be sat in a restraint with my child happily feeding then screaming the place down to satisfy others. Any new mums! Do not feed your child in the toilet, for one, it isn't sanitary, and you SHOULD NOT have to hide yourself away to feed your baby!

It's due to the fact that I was in two minds about breastfeeding because of how breastfeeding mothers get treated, that's why, I believe, many mothers choose not to breastfeed.

Onto the things I wish I was told!

Engorgement

Between two to five days after giving birth, your milk comes in and when it does. It hurts. I could barely lie down, it was a struggle to get my baby to latch.

My emotions were everywhere and to be honest it made me feel like I couldn't feed him. Do not give up!

I can promise you, I battled through it and not for one minute do I regret it, Still to this day I love the bond we both have. Cabbage leaves put into the bra soaks up the milk to relieve pressure.

Mastitis

This occurs when a woman's breast tissue becomes inflamed and painful. This can happen due too much milk being in the breast. This can happen when a child has a poor latch, missed feedings and sucking problems, the symptoms of this for me anyway, was flu-like symptoms.

To relieve this for me, I used a heat compress to allow my milk to flow before a feed, then I hand expressed to relieve any milk that has been trapped then I'd apply a cold compress.

In my opinion, I believe that breastfeeding should be normalised. It's natural, it's been around for years.

Cluster Feeding

This is the one that no one informed me about, I didn't know about this until my son was two months old. Cluster feeding is basically a set time of the day in which a baby feeds for a much longer period than his other feeds, I thought they feed the same amount for the same length of time.

So I was in shockm to say the least. My advice? Make sure your comfortable. Have snacks and drinks, be prepared to sit there for a while.