12 mamas get real about their breastfeeding journeys

Jo: 8 months in and I'm exclusively pumping. She gets my breast milk albeit via a bottle.

Megan: My bottom line goal was to breastfeed beyond hospital, I did this, I did 5 days, my baby got 5 days of colostrum. My husband did an amazing job in helping me reach this small goal. But I did it, I breastfed.

Mandira: When my daughter failed to thrive from an undiagnosed tongue tie, formula saved us and was her medicine. With pumping and determination she was back to exclusive breast milk by week 6 and feeding from source at 9 weeks until 17 months. 

Manon: I fed baby via syringe, cup and bottle for the first few weeks until he was able to latch. Now able to breastfeed! Yay!

Katie: My baby was carried by a surrogate. I induced lactation and nursed him for 18 months.

Hannah: If I didn’t use top ups, I wouldn't be breastfeeding.

Roamy: Take it one day - one feed - at a time. Setting yourself little goals makes it feel a lot less overwhelming if you’re struggling at the start. 

Meg: I pumped for 5 months before switching over entirely to formula. I still have guilty what-if thoughts about it but I know that 5 months of breastmilk has done way more good than no months of breastmilk.

Dannielle: If at first you don't succeed, try again with help (that refers to my first child and no support and my second child and loads of support!)

Katherine: I don't beat myself up about only breastfeeding my oldest for two weeks. We all do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time.

Alexis: The worth of the mother is not measured in the mls she pumps. She is so much more than that.