'Free the Nipple' Series 6

 

Can you tell us about your breastfeeding journey with Hugo?

‘Hard’ is the first word that comes to mind! 

Hugo had a poor latch from the start. When he was a week old, my midwife picked up a tongue and lip tie so we had those water-lasered straight away. 

I thought it would get better, like a magic cure. But it didn’t. It was like the freedom of his tongue made him struggle even more.

I had low supply as well… and the poor latch didn’t help with this. Then a month in I got mastitis and my supply plummeted. That was the first of about 9 separate bouts of mastitis. 

The worst one was when he was 10 weeks old. I could feel a golf-sized ball in my breast so I went to the doctor straight away. She suspected an abscess and very promptly sent me to hospital to have an IV drip and the abscess surgically drained from my breast. 

Breastfeeding is super fun, isn’t it? As a first time mum I had no idea what I was in for!

As hard as all this was, it didn't make me want to stop. I was so stubborn and determined to breastfeed. I don’t know why, looking back… but I remember feeling so strongly that breastfeeding was the one thing I really wanted to do.

And I did, I ended up breastfeeding him for 18 months.

Once he started eating food and there was less pressure on me being the sole source of nutrition, things got a little easier. I also went on domperidone medication and took Two Island’s Milk Maker supplements. I was actually part of the trial group and absolutely loved it, it’s such a good product. 

And the journey with Lucia?

I felt so much less pressure the second time around!

Everything was different. Instead of birth preferences, I talked to my midwife about feeding preferences. I also did antenatal expressing with Lucia and managed to get some colostrum.

When she was born, I got her on the breast straight away. I didn’t get Hugo on the breast fast enough.

Lucia’s birth was amazing. It was in the water at the birthing unit and everything about her birth was my idea of textbook perfection. That incredible high and all the extra oxytocin helped to kickstart such a beautiful breastfeeding journey. 

I’d pre-booked a lactation consultant for the week we got home, just in case. This was really helpful in the end as Lucia had a tongue tie too, so we got that quickly sorted.

Supply was never an issue with Lucia. It makes sense because with every pregnancy you produce more mammary tissue, but I wasn’t leaving it to chance. I was eating all the lactation bars and oats from the get go!

Being able to feed with less pain was such a nice change, I could pop her on the breast whenever she was unsettled. Although she was quite a spilly baby so it was easy to overfeed her. A new and different challenge! 

We’re now 7 months in and I hope to feed her for 18 months to 2 years, but I’ll take her lead. If she wants to feed for longer she can…. she’s my last baby! 

What are your thoughts on the support available for breastfeeding mothers?

We need more funded lactation consultants. The ones at the hospital are slammed, and most of them aren't in full time roles. 

I believe every new mum should have access to a lactation consultant the same way we all see a midwife. But it just doesn't happen. 

Fav thing about breastfeeding?

I love that it slows me down. Night feeds can be hard but they’re also sleepy and cuddly, so they're my favourite at the moment. Lucia is at that nosey stage where she gets distracted feeding in public, which makes those night feeds all the more special. 

Most challenging thing about breastfeeding?

Hugo always took a bottle because we did formula top ups from the start, whereas Lucia is a sassy little thing and refuses to take one. 

It’s a work in progress, but wow being a working mum is hard when you’re the sole source of nutrition!

Anything you found surprising?

How common breastfeeding problems actually are. 

Whether it’s low supply, over supply, thrush, sore nipples, whatever — there’s always something. I don’t know anyone who’s had a ‘perfect’ breastfeeding journey. We all need to start talking about it more openly. 

What are your thoughts on breastfeeding clothes?

When I was pregnant with Hugo I found everything super dowdy. The options were pretty limited and not really a reflection of my style. I bought a few things, but ended up selling them as they just weren’t ‘me.’

When it comes to feeding on the go it’s so important to have easy access, but you also want to feel streamlined and put together. I love oversized tees, button ups and lounge sets. I live in nice soft basics… so I was happy to come across With Milk! Curating stockists for Mom Store has also been a great excuse to trial new brands and stock the ones that I genuinely believe in.

Any leakage or nip slip moments you’d rather forget?

Not really, I’ve always been pretty prepared with breast pads!

 
Weirdest place you’ve fed your babe?

Where haven't I fed them? On a plane, in a public toilet, in the car….

 
Your top 3 feeding tips for mums-to-be?

• Wear Silverettes - they’ll save your nipples 
• See a lactation consultant 
• Try not to sweat the small stuff. If your supply is low but you want to keep feeding, know that any breast milk is good. Even a small amount is beneficial for your babe.

 Get in touch with Anna via Instagram or visit the Mom Store website.