In honor of World Breastfeeding Week; Madeleine's Breastfeeding Journey

Before having children, I assumed breastfeeding was beautiful, easy, pain free experience. HAAAA. 

I've been meaning to pen a journal about my breastfeeding journey for a while now and what a better time than during World Breastfeeding Week. Even more fittingly, the theme for 2023 is “Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents.”

I am going to make one thing very clear, in my opinion, FED IS BEST. Breast or formula, you go, girl! Spoiler alert, I used both methods - they're both great.

So, like I mentioned, I thought this was going to be some magical experience, filled with snuggles and a breeze blowing through my hair while I breastfed on some tropical beach and I sipped a Piná Colada. It was not.

They don't tell you that at first, your boobs swell up with your first milk and your nips crack like the desert. But, I digress. The 2023 breastfeeding theme, touching on working parents, speaks to my situation. I returned to work between 6-9months after my children were born. This poses MANY challenges.

Hank and Leni were both suckers for the boob. They naturally only wanted to be breast-fed, and don't get me wrong, there were cold, dark nights that I tried to get them to take a bottle from Dad so that I could sleep. I did not go well! Similarly, neither of them took dummies. Apparently, nipples are preferable in my house! Haha!

Anyway, both babies were big eaters. Ever heard of cluster feeding? This is where a baby feeds every 10-20-30mins (which is a lot) for what feels like weeks, but is usually days.. Regardless, I was a cow at the milking shed. I swore by Lansinoh nipple cream and wish I'd known about the new products out these days. There are many remedies for sore boobies, lanolin was mine. 

This is where we get to the 'back to work' part. My babies were exclusively breastfed. Not just breastmilk, but from the breast - no bottles involved. They were refused, flat out. Eeeeek. I didn't know what I was going to do when I returned to work and they refused to take a bottle. My boobs were across town for cripes sake!

It was incredibly stressful in the lead up, though I had full trust in the wonderful team of ECE superwomen that would be caring for my loves. They assured me that it would all work out and they had a few tricks up their sleeves (spoons, sippy cups, adult cups, syringes, the list goes on). 

In the weeks prior to my first born, Hank, starting preschool at 9 months old, I pumped my life away and made sure to have stores of milk available. Remember, we had tried to start Hank on bottles, he would not have a bar! It was tough. Though, miraculously, as soon as I was away from him, he couldn't smell me and a bottle made available, he took to it straight away! Who would've thought! Now, no one taught me how to pump and how often. I was a rookie and unfortunately, I quickly lost my milk supply and everything dried up. I was heart broken but knew that Hank was now confident with a bottle and off we went on our formula journey. Yay for science!

I was really underwhelmed in the information and resources made available to me when I navigated the back to work/pump situation and for me, this ended in losing my supply. I was a new mum and honestly, I feel like I was let down a little. Knowledge is power.

Thankfully, when I attempted to return to work with Leni in a similar situation, I was well equipped with a fantastic electronic breast pump and booked in 'pump time' at work. Though Leni demanded she was fed with a spoon for some time at preschool, I was able to continue supplying breastmilk for 6 months post return to work. Massive achievement. 

Knowing your rights in the workplace as a new mum is really empowering. If you are considering continuing to breastfeed at this stage, it is definitely do able. You may need a bag of gadgets in the boardroom but it'll be worth it.

After having my second baby I learned about lactation consultants. How wonderful, wish I'd known! If you are expecting, my advice is to lean on these resources. Yes, it's a beautiful experience but it doesn't always come naturally. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Parenthood is a wild ride! 

Madeleine x