Friday 31 July 2015

The start of My Breastfeeding Journey



My breastfeeding journey began the year I married my husband, 2002.  We moved to Glasgow for 12 months while I completed my Masters degree in Nutrition at the University of Glasgow.  I can’t say that breastfeeding was even on my radar at that point.  I had no children, didn’t remember ever seeing anyone breastfeeding and I was barely breastfed myself so it wasn’t regular conversation in the Blackburn house.

I was introduced to breastfeeding during my time at the University of Glasgow by the wonderful Dr Jane Scott.  It just sounded so logical, there are so many benefits and I just wondered why anyone would want to do anything else after knowing about it.  I wrote my thesis on the effects of pain relief during childbirth on breastfeeding success.  It was quite eye opening.

I continued to learn about nutrition and breastfeeding when we moved back to the States and I was very lucky when I was hired as a Nutritionist with the WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition Program).  The WIC Program marries my two passions for nutrition and breastfeeding and I spent 6 fabulous years working with an amazing team of women to promote and support families to breastfeed and live healthier lives.

It was during this time that my husband and I became pregnant with our first child.  Working alongside women who considered breastfeeding as the usual way to feed a baby and that 2 years and beyond was perfectly normal meant that I never questioned my ability to breastfed and gave me an amazing wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from.

I wouldn’t say that our first breastfeeding journey got off to the best start.  It’s definitely something that I learnt from and second time went like clockwork.  My friends, colleagues and family supported me throughout our journey and William chose to stop nursing at 2 months shy of 4 years old.

This post is part of the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt 2015.  This year we are focusing on being #PositiveAboutBF and I invite you to start the conversation if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  Learn about the many reasons there are to breastfeed for you, your baby and the planet and find out where to find your local support before you have your baby.

There are many posts to read all week long during World Breastfeeding Week 2015 and lots of competitions to enter for some fabulous prizes.  If you’d like to be in with a chance at winning over £700 worth of fabulous goodies from lots of breastfeeding friendly companies then please enter the rafflecopter below.  You’ll need to read at least 10 posts and enter all of the attached rafflecopters to be entered into the draw but that won’t be hard when we have so many amazing bloggers writing some amazing posts this year.

Wherever you see the Keep Britain Breastfeeding 2015 logo you will have the opportunity to enter so keep a lookout!

We are highlighting a couple of amazing organisations throughout the week because of the amazing work they are doing in the World of breastfeeding.


“The Breastfeeding Network’s Drugs in Breastmilk helpline provides support and information to thousands of families and health professionals every year. Our highly experienced and trained pharmacist offers breastfeeding support alongside evidence based information to anyone who is concerned about the effects of medication or treatments while breastfeeding. We have a dedicated helpline number and email address, as well as a range of information sheets on a wide variety of topics.
Currently the Drugs in Breastmilk helpline service receives no external funding and last year our #savedrugsinbreastmilkhelpline campaign was a huge success with hundreds of mums and health professionals proclaiming their love for our unique support service, and generously donating to help save this vital resource, which was at risk of closure due to lack of funds.
As a result of this, we’re very excited to launch our brand new ‘Friends of Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline’ scheme”.
If you or your business would like to become a friend of the Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline by donating to this amazing service then visit the website for more information HERE.

Here are some links to other bloggers and companies taking part in the Scavenger Hunt so that you keep hunting – 

Laura from Life with Baby Kicks, is busy blogging about all aspects of parenting life of 2 boys under 3 from breastfeeding to toddler taming all whilst living the expat lifestyle in Dubai.

Ali, an extended breastfeeder who is the owner and writer of the parenting and lifestyle blog “Mum in a Nutshell” for stylish mamas, whilst also writing for The Mumington Post and Chic Magazine.

Jen from My Mummy's Pennies blogs about life as a penny pinching working Mum of two, from breastfeeding and cloth nappies to family days out and thrifty tips.

Princesspoet's Blog is a captures all the adventures that Lucy has with her husband and 2 little boys. We discuss everything from the exciting to the mundane. Breastfeeding, Parenting, Home Education , Marriage & Cooking.

Zoe from Lycrawidow is Baby-wearing, breastfeeding mama. French speaker and daydreamer. Hopeless romantic. Loving, supportive Military wife. Brain tumour survivor (so far). Swiftly approaching 30. Usually found at (road)bike races or drinking tea. 


Naked Website created the KBBF logos


Milk & Mummy have donated a £50 gift voucher for the Grand Prize


Snoob have promised a fabulous breastfeeding scarf to the winner





a Rafflecopter giveaway

27 comments:

  1. I didn't see formula as an option - breastfeeding is the biological default, and the suitable food for a human child.

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  2. When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter I just realised that it really wanted to breastfeed and I was going to try my hardest too. It was just one of those things that I didn't even have to weigh up - I just knew I wanted to!

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  3. I have breastfed both my children and intend to breastfeed baby 3 who is due in December. I love the convenience of it, especially with this baby being born in winter, I wouldn't like to be getting up and preparing bottles in the middle of the night!

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  4. I always thought i would breastfeed when i had a child, my mum breastfed me so it seemed like the thing to do. It is so convenient for a lets say not so organised mum, no way could I have managed getting bottles ready etc so much easier for me to breastfeed. I also believe that it has big health benefits to the child and to myself too and its just lovely.

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  5. All my six babies were born prems so initially I expressed and then my milk was fed to them through their tubes. I then breast fed each for the first 6 weeks from when they could start to latch. I am pleased I did this for them all :)

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  6. It's healthy for me and my baby, it's free, there's no mess, it's so easy & who wants to make a bottle in the middle of the night? I love breastfeeding.

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  7. I always thought it was the best for bonding and for intelligence

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  8. It seemed the easiest and best option for my child - I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

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  9. i did not even think about formula..my girl needed best!!

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  10. So lovely to highlight a breastfeeding support organisation in your daily Scavenger Hunt posts! So fab that people care this much to keep many a breastfeeding journey going.

    What stood out the most in your post for me is about how you didn't question your ability to breastfeed because you were informed about it and you regularly saw it in action. It was the norm you were surrounded with.

    Wonderful, isn't it. This is the best kind of mother-to-mother support; one woman helping another woman to mother with confidence, just because they did too.

    Spending time in my breastfeeding group and reading stories about other people's breastfeeding journey, empowered me in a way I can't describe. It made me fee that I could have a breastfeeding goal and hopefully achieve it, despite all the oddds that was stacked against me.

    Thanks for sharing and leading the Hunt. #PositiveAboutBF

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  11. I wanted to breastfeed my sons as I knew it was best for them, there's of course benefits for me and I find it easy to feed them whenever wherever without the hassle of bottles and formula

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  12. I am currently 29 weeks pregnant with number 2 and have decided to breastfeed because I was unsuccessful with my first 9 years ago. I gave up after 2 weeks and have regretted it ever since. Am way more informed this time and feel much more confident about my decision x

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  13. I knew before I even got pregnant that I wanted to breastfeed my baby - there never was another option for me x

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  14. expecting twins and im so looking forward to breast feed my babies. because the mum and baby bond is very important to me. I want to give the very best for my babies. its cheap, always there and only mums can do it. xx

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  15. I decided to breastfeed as it was something that just made sense to me - now I am due baby number 2 any day, and I intend to do the same. I had such an amazing bond with my first child, hoping this one will be the same :D

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  16. I decided to breastfeed as I wanted the best start in life for my child and I wanted to feel closer to her <3

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  17. It gives my little one everything she needs, it's easy, convenient and free.

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  18. It gives my little one everything she needs, it's easy, convenient and free.

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  19. Great for mum and baby. Convenient and free.

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  20. I have 4 sisters who have all breast fed and all said it is the most natural thing in the world to do and gave them the feeling that they could continue to give my nieces and nephews all that they needed after where being born

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  21. Simply best for mother and child and also increases the bond between them.

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  22. I thought it was best for my child and creates and bond between us x

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  23. All the nutrients baby needs and the closeness

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  24. All the nutrients baby needs and the closeness

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  25. I decided to feed because I know it's the best thing and to be honest the only option for me! It has worked wonders as my little boy is thriving and so advanced, I know it's all the milk :)! hahaa

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  26. Because I made so much would have been crazy not to at least try. Honestly, I only had to hear my baby, see her even and I would be one big milk puddle. And yes all that it's best for baby stuff. No, really, it's because it was pouring out of me!

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