National Breastfeeding Week

It’s National Breastfeeding Week and this year’s theme is ‘educate and support - everyone has a part to play in helping mums to breastfeed’

When I was pregnant I went through 4 different midwives but I was lucky enough to end up with THE BEST community midwife (I still miss her ) I can honestly say that without her support, wisdom and encouragement on breastfeeding, I don’t know if I’d have persevered past that initial stage when L’s weight was dropping. She turned my doubts on their head, and I’ll forever be thankful to her for that. Mr J was a huge support too, bringing me food and drinks, propping me up with extra pillows, passing me that all important nipple cream  and just generally cheering me on.

I’ve now been breastfeeding Leo for over 10 months, the first 6 of those exclusively and now between meals on demand. The majority of the time people are nothing but supportive when they see me breastfeed so I can’t lie, my experience has been hugely positive. But more recently I’ve had the odd comment or look that makes me realise there’s definitely still social pressure to stop, especially once it it reaches the 6 month mark.

Comments like:

‘Oh are you still breastfeeding?’

‘You don’t want to end up like Lysa and milk boy on Game of Thrones’ (Robin Arryn is an 8 year old fictional character, I don’t think we’re in any danger of that )

‘He’s fully weaned now though, isn’t he? I don’t see why you’d breastfeed past 6 months’ (the WHO recommendation is 2 years, but thanks for your advice )

And there shouldn’t be a stigma. However they’re fed, parents should be proud to nourish our little ones and no one should make us feel less so.

So if you’re struggling with breastfeeding, feeling judged for how you feed your baby or feeling pressure to stop (or continue) breastfeeding, I just want to say I really hear you right now. You don’t need to defend yourself or explain.

Let’s have better breastfeeding education and support and less unsolicited stickybeaking 

Keep feeding, mama, and stay fiercely proud of it. You’re doing great