3 August 2017

Breastfeeding Guest Post: When Breastfeeding isn't for You


Today's breastfeeding guest post comes from Zoe Bell from The Tale of Mummyhood. Zoe is a mother of two beautiful girls and has a passion for blogging, writing and fitness! Zoe can also be found on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

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Whilst I was pregnant with my first child I constantly thought about breastfeeding and whether it would be something that I'd try. I'm not an overly confident person when it comes to feeding in public and in front of family and friends, so breastfeeding was a source of anxiety for me. Don’t get me wrong, I'm not against feeding in public, I applaud any mother who sticks two fingers up to the onlookers who do so with disgust.

When my first was born I took the plunge and decided that I would try my hardest to overcome my own anxieties and I would feed her myself. She latched on perfectly and almost immediately, filled her tummy and slept for hours whilst we were still in the hospital. I must admit though, breastfeeding just didn’t feel natural to me. I didn’t enjoy it and I didn’t feel like it was helping me bond my new baby.

We were lucky that things were pretty straight forward in the hospital and we were home the very next day. Even though I carried on, feeding still didn't feel like it was the right thing for me to do. I also worried that my husband wasn't getting a chance to feed his daughter, but he was happy that we were happy, whichever way we chose to feed.

On the third day after leaving hospital, I remember feeding my daughter as usual but this time something was different. She seemed to need more and more, but was never satisfied. This went on for a few hours and by this point I was feeling incredibly sore. I was so worried about my daughter being hungry, I also felt inadequate as it didn't appear that I was providing her with what she needed.

Later that evening, the situation hadn't improved. Luckily, we'd stocked up on bottles and formula just in case. I asked my husband what I should do, I felt so rotten. In the end, he reassured me that even if I wasn't producing enough milk, it wasn't a reflection on my ability as a parent. So, we made the decision together and fed our daughter her first bottle of formula milk. It was the best decision we could have made.

Immediately after our daughter fell asleep. She was no longer unsettled and hungry, but content and peaceful. I felt the anxiety melt away and I felt more comfortable in my new role as mother. In hindsight, I didn’t leave enough time for my milk to come in. If I'd have tried again, the chances are that I would have been able to carry on feeding her myself.

These days though I'm strong enough to admit that I didn’t want to. Breastfeeding wasn't for me and that's ok. I think it's amazing when mothers continue to feed their children, I really do. However, it's also difficult to go against the grain and choose not to use the advised methods of feeding. That strength should be recognised too!

6 comments on "Breastfeeding Guest Post: When Breastfeeding isn't for You"

Unknown on 5 August 2017 at 15:23 said...

I can really relate this. I couldn't physically produce enough milk to breast feed either of my children so we had to formula feed. Aslong as baby and mum are happy nothing else matters xx

Jenni on 5 August 2017 at 23:36 said...

I can remember those days of him constantly being on the boob. It isn't for everyone and you have to do what's best for you and Baby

Gee Gardner on 5 August 2017 at 23:46 said...

You gotta do what you gotta do and sometimes breastfeeding just doesn't work and that's totally okay <3

Nadia - Scandi Mummy on 6 August 2017 at 09:35 said...

No reason to beat yourself up. I do feel more support is needed for new mothers. x

Mummy Cat on 6 August 2017 at 09:55 said...

breast isnt best for everyone x as long as you are happy and baby is fed then that is all that matters! x

Unknown on 6 August 2017 at 15:18 said...

Fed is best - I chose not to breast feed, and I stand by the decision I made for myself and my son at the time, he is a healthy little boy and I hate being made to feel inferior for feeding him with formula!

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