World Breastfeeding Week

It’s World Breastfeeding Week from August 1st to August 7th, and the Irish Parenting Bloggers have decided to do a Blog March to show support.

Each of us will publish a post this week based on our own breastfeeding experiences, and linked to this year’s theme: Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers.

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When I had our first child, I just assumed I would breastfeed. My mother had breastfeed all of us, it was all I knew, I had no Plan B (coupled with the fact that I am staggeringly disorganised and very lazy about doing things that I don’t need to do)

Thomas came very fast, early, was teeny and slept most of the time. He was drowsy because he was very jaundiced. The information I was getting was completely conflicting; this was in the days before Internet and ready information. Only for the fact I was determined, determined to breastfeed, my whole family were supportive and thanks to a marvellous midwife, Rose; I persevered. It took several weeks to get it going, but it just got better and better and despite not knowing one other person actively breastfeeding at that time, nursed him until he was two. Michael, Liam, Grace followed and I breastfeed all of them for several years, gathering supportive fellow breastfeeders and groups; later, Internet forums and support groups. James is almost two, firmly attached still.

If a woman wants to breastfeed, I wish her all the support she needs, if she chooses not to, I wish her all the support she needs to, too. At the end of the day, we mothers need to support each other, irrespective of our differing choices. My decisions suit me, and work for me. As World Breastfeeding Week comes to a close, my hopes are that we get focus on supporting and nurturing those who choose to breastfeed rather than trying to convince non-breastfeeders to breastfeed.

At the end of the day, we mothers are all amazing after all! 🙂

This post is part of the Irish Parenting Bloggers BlogMarch to support Breastfeeding Week. For an introduction to the March, and a list of the other participants please visit Mama.ie.

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