Breastfeeding Round-up: Breastfeeding supporters

Another month passing by, another round-up of helpful breastfeeding blogs to share.

I hope you enjoyed last month’s blogs about breastfeeding toddlers; doing this during pregnancy and tandem nursing afterwards especially gets my attention right now.

“No man is an Island”, they say; this is definitely true for most mums when it comes to breastfeeding.

Some breastfeeding journeys start and end without a hitch; it must be fabulous when this natural act comes naturally.

However for many mothers, breastfeeding is an uphill climb. Sometimes, this is only true of the beginning of the journey; other times, it’s throughout the breastfeeding experience.

 

One thing that is probably true for all breastfeeding mums, however long they breastfeed for, is the importance of their support network. This often makes or breaks breastfeeding journeys; it both broke and eventually made mine. My reflections on my experience helped to me identify the extent of my husband’s support on our breastfeeding journey, even when our goals didn’t coincide.   

 

Like me, Jenni from Odd Socks and Lollipop and Laura from Life with Baby Kicks wrote about how their husbands made the breastfeeding road that much easier for them.

 

Jenni‘s husband helped her to express colostrum twice a day during the last month of her pregnancy, advocated for her when she gave birth, sat with her through night feeds, stood up for her whilst breastfeeding in public, and supported her in so many ways through the different challenges they faced. What a practical list of ways for dads to get involved with breastfeeding!

 

Laura’s list of the different ways her husband supported her clearly shows why he is her “biggest fan … and supporter in breastfeeding, in parenting, in life”.  From attending every antenatal class with her, to his display of a range of emotions as they both tried to make sense of the journey ahead, to encouraging her to get help from relevant professionals when needed, and supporting her breastfeeding choice through the difficult times … such practical support dads can give during the roller coaster ride that breastfeeding sometimes is.

 

Sian from Quite Frankly She Wrote, Jenny from Monkey and Mouse, Jade from Mummies Waiting, and Laura from My Thoughts on Things wrote about a wider circle of support in their breastfeeding experiences.

 

For Sian, it was her partner, grandma, friends, online birth group, Infant Feeding Coordinators and SCBU nurses that made her journey easier. It is interesting reading about the different ways they improved her breastfeeding experiences, even the second time round when she felt better prepared.   

 

It was Jenny’s community midwife, parents, in-laws, friends, and husband that supported her on her journeys. From teaching her how to position her little one for a good latch, to encouraging smiles, and so much more. There are so many ways to support breastfeeding mums.

 

For Jade, it was her husband, mum, sister, and a breastfeeding support worker at her local breastfeeding café that made the difference for her journey. It’s incredible how helping someone can change the course of their life. Jade’s breastfeeding support worker inspired her to become one, and pay the support she received forward. Her experience of breastfeeding support has resulted in more mums having better experiences; how fantastic.   

 

The evolution of Laura’s breastfeeding support from one child to another, is one many mums will relate to. Starting with her husband, mum (a La Leche League breastfeeding counsellor), and best friend the first time round, and widening to offline and online support groups for a better journey the second time round. Her breastfeeding network gave her the confidence, answers, advice, and encouragement she needed to achieve her breastfeeding goals. Not surprising like many other mums, she has dipped into her experience to help others.

 

“Insightful reads”, won’t you say? Thanks for dropping by and checking them out. 

Consider sharing from your own experiences in the comments on each blog and the round-up, and sharing the blogs with others in your networks. 

And for some blog reads, comments, and social shares, add your breastfeeding blogs below – old or new.