Today ends the World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated each year from August 1 to 7, and whose theme this time was “Empower ourselves, make breastfeeding possible”, alluding to a reality that concerns us all: support breastfeeding.
It is proven that when mothers have the support of those around them, breastfeeding rates increase. As a sample, we share 15 testimonies of mothers with successful breastfeeding thanks to the support of their environment .
Breastfeeding, teamwork
The subject of breastfeeding is one that we have talked about on several occasions. We have talked about its lights and shadows, the difficulties that can arise, the myths that exist about it, the benefits it has for mother and baby, and also, the role of the couple in breastfeeding.
In this last point, we have talked about the important supportive role that the couple plays in breastfeeding the mother, however, it is not the only person who can and should support her. For this reason, through these different testimonies, we share with you how from the family, to the co-workers, they can do their part to support breastfeeding mothers .
When your friends and family support you
The people closest to us are the people who most influence our life and our decisions. That is why when we talk about breastfeeding, our family, partner and friends are key people to support us .
An example is the case of Karen Andrea, 28, mother of a seven-year-old boy and a one-year-old baby, who tells us that her breastfeeding has been successful thanks to the fact that her husband has always been in charge of supporting her :
He made sure that I had an excellent diet, too much fluids all the time and he has been concerned that the environment is conducive for me to relax, now more than with our first child. He does chores at home, now he takes care of our oldest son. My whole family has actually made it possible for me to live my motherhood happily, giving myself time when I need it, because sometimes it is overwhelming.
In the case of Ivette, who is 32 years old and the mother of an 8-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, she is no longer with her partner, but he always defended her breastfeeding from other people’s comments, thanks to the fact that he had also been informed :
The father of my children read a lot about this topic, he documented a lot. And throughout the pregnancy we always had the firm idea that I was going to breastfeed. When other family members made inappropriate comments about breastfeeding or wanted to convince us with other ideas, he defended our decision and let them know what he had been reading and researching. There was a time when they scared us saying that he was going to dehydrate because the baby did not drink water and he was only three months old, the father responded with what he had read and learned.
For Araceli, 30 years old and mother of a girl, the support of her family was not only important, but also decisive in the beginning of her breastfeeding , thanks to her mother:
From minute one after my daughter was born, the nurses at the hospital tried to give her a bottle of formula without our consent. As it was a cesarean section, I was left in the operating room and my daughter was taken to review, where my mother, seeing that they would give her a bottle, objected, and I think that helped me a lot because when they took my baby to the room she took my breast No problem.
My mother also advised me: “stick it to your breast immediately”, I replied that I still had no milk because nothing came out, but she insistently told me: “you don’t see it, but the two or three drops that come out they are very important to her, it is like gold. ” I obeyed his words and put it on my chest every day at all hours. His insistence helped me establish lactation.
Another important support from my husband was when I left home, because I was very shy about breastfeeding in public, but he very firmly told me: “you do what you have to do for our daughter, if someone dares to tell you something he will deal with me “, and those words made me feel very powerful.
But also, other people who can play a very important role in breastfeeding are friends . This happened to Lucila, 27 years old and mother of a child:
My best friend was the person who best informed me about breastfeeding and brought me to online groups. I think, without her I would not have achieved it since I had doubts but with the correct information I could do it. Also, to my good luck I didn’t struggle with cracks, bad grip, nothing. It was something very natural since he was born.
When your work environment supports you
One of the aspects that undoubtedly influences the duration of breastfeeding is the work environment. Unfortunately, many mothers leave when their maternity leave ends and go back to work, but these stories show us what companies should be like when it comes to supporting nursing mothers .
For Yadira, 29 years old and mother of a 2 year old boy, the understanding and support she received in her work were key to breastfeeding beyond two years:
It was incredible, because really everyone at work is very sensitive to the issue of motherhood and breastfeeding, I had the opportunity to enjoy this moment, sometimes my son came to breastfeed at noon and they lent me an office where I fed. When he grew older I expressed my milk in that space and kept the milk that I expressed in a cooler, currently I have a permit in which I can arrive an hour after my time of entry or leave an hour before, whatever I decide.
In the case of Adriana, who is 38 years old and pregnant with her third child, the flexibility that her boss gave her, and the facilities they were offering at work , helped her to exclusively breastfeed her two children during her years. first six months of life:
With my first daughter I could leave an hour before my normal departure. We didn’t have a lactation room yet, so during my workday I used the incubation room in the lab or a boardroom and stored the milk in the refrigerator in the dining room. With my second child we already had a suitable lactation room with a refrigerator and the company gave us the opportunity to leave two hours earlier. In both situations, my boss never rushed me on the amount of time I could spend pumping and even reminded me when it was time to go pumping.
For Lupita, 38, the mother of a 9-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl, thinking ahead and advocating for breastfeeding at work helped her to have the necessary conditions for when the time came:
Before I got pregnant, I managed to have a place designated for lactation in my work, so every three hours I would sneak a few minutes to do my extractions, I bought a transporter and frozen so that in my absence they would give him that milk. Before returning to work, the last month, I dedicated myself to my milk bank, I made extractions between feedings to achieve it.
In the case of Patricia, 32 years old and mother of a son, despite the fact that her work did not have adequate facilities, her colleagues were always understanding and she kept flexible hours:
At my job they allowed me to express milk from time to time, I did it every 2 or 3 hours because I had too much milk, especially the first few months after returning to work. At first I struggled a bit because there is no specific place for breastfeeding and I had to improvise somewhere or in the kitchen while no one was around. They allowed me to store my milk in the refrigerator and they were all very supportive. For 3 months they allowed me to leave 1 hour before normal time and as soon as I arrived with my baby my breasts began to secrete a lot of milk and I was happy with our meeting.
When difficulties arise and they do not leave you alone
A time when the support of the people around us is extremely important is when there are some difficulties during breastfeeding. Knowing that we are not alone, and that our family and friends motivate us, helps us to cope better .
For example, for Melanie, 31, a mother of two, having a support network helped her establish breastfeeding when she had a premature baby :
My first child was born a month earlier and it was difficult for him to latch on, he fell asleep and did not drink enough, therefore he did not gain weight. I had to supplement it and it was hard at first, very exhausting, I was frustrated. My partner was very supportive; he helped me give her milk with syringes at night. She also accompanied me to a childcare provider to consult on how to properly latch the baby to the breast. A friend lent me her electric breast pump and left me a note giving me words of encouragement, and my mother held me back when I was distressed by feeling that I could not get him to drink.
In the case of Irisdea, 27 years old and mother of a daughter, the support and understanding of her partner was essential to overcome a difficult stage in which her baby hurt her long before undergoing surgery:
At first my breastfeeding was on the verge of not being successful as my daughter had a short frenulum but my pediatrician was very knowledgeable and noticed. When he was born, he gave him a week to see if he would adapt and despite the short frenulum we could have a successful breastfeeding but that did not happen.
The first week was very painful, I went with 3 counselors to practice the grip (I wanted to avoid the frenotomy at all costs) but it did not work and it hurt me a lot, to the extent that every time I went to give her milk I would cry and it would come out a lot blood.
My baby’s father at all times was very understanding and did everything to stop me from suffering, he brought me compresses, he talked to the doctor, and so on. Always supporting and encouraging me, without him I would not have been able to continue. After a week they operated on her and everything changed, both she and I were 100% better.
For Fátima, 28, a mother of two, the team formed by her husband and mother-in-law helped her cope with a time when cracks formed , while with the help of a friend she learned more about how to improve her breastfeeding so that she did not was painful:
With my first child, I had a bad grip and I got very painful cracks in both nipples, feeding him was a great suffering for me, I cried every time I had to give him, but I never retracted and despite the pain I continued to breastfeed. My husband helped me a lot emotionally, he supported me, he gave me words of encouragement, he looked for information about how to improve my grip. My mother-in-law supported me by taking care of my son at times as I “healed” my wounds, a close friend who had also been breastfeeding for more time gave me tips to improve grip, videos, readings and that’s how I managed to improve it and so we continue After 2 years, with my second son there was no problem since all this information was still very fresh.
For Mabel, 34, a mother of two children, her first breastfeeding was difficult at the beginning due to the complications that occurred, but with the support and understanding of her husband, she was able to get ahead :
When I started to breastfeed we had problems with attachment, cracks, then milk pearls and also a son who asked to breastfeed everywhere. When I made a face of pain, my husband, restrained me, went to fetch water, did not speak to me until the painful trance passed and adjusted our son’s mouth. Later, when he looked big, many people thought that the milk did not serve me, that it was whey, that it was hurting him, that it covered me, my husband, also empowered, many times answered for me saying: “the milk of my wife is the best for my son “, which empowered me even more and I did not care what they thought.
For Roxana, 33 years old and mother of a son, the support of her family and a doctor when she felt distressed, kept her from giving up and being able to continue with her breastfeeding:
At first breastfeeding was very difficult for me. Even though I read and learned quite a bit, putting all that knowledge into practice was super difficult! My milk was not coming down, the baby was not latching on properly, I had cracks in my nipples that bled horrible, I was crying and thinking that I would not succeed! But the advice of the grandmothers about the baby’s latch, which I had to stick to my chest, the comfort and patience of my husband when I looked tearful and desperate, and the help of my doctor to heal the cracks were the best.
When you learn from experience
And finally, another moment in which the environment is important, is when you have more than one breastfeeding, and after an experience that perhaps was not very good, you have the necessary support to try again despite not having achieved it as it should. you wished the first time.
This is what happened for Ana Yesenia, 23 years old and mother of two children, who had problems at the beginning of her first breastfeeding, but with the support of her husband she had the opportunity to dedicate herself fully to having two successful breastfeeds :
With my first baby the first two months it was mixed breastfeeding, since they told me that my milk did not fill it and the pain in the nipples was fatal. I began to inform myself and I saw that my body was able to feed my baby and my milk to heal my wounds, so I began breastfeeding on demand. My husband strives to give me the opportunity to be with my little ones all the time. With my second baby, I was already super informed and from the first moment we did skin to skin, and immediately we began exclusive breastfeeding.
For Citlaly, 24 years old and mother of two children, something similar happened, since her first lactation was mixed, but thanks to the support of her husband, she managed to make her second lactation formula-free :
As a new mother, you let yourself be carried away by what the grandmothers say that milk is water, that it does not fill it, that you have to give it to drink teas and formula. But with my second daughter I have learned much more, I am exclusively there for her when she wants to breastfeed, she does not take formula only pure tit! We have been there for 4 months and I will continue to do so until I am 6 months old. And they keep repeating the same thing to me but I turn a deaf ear. My family puts a lot of pressure on me to try other things but my partner is a great support for me, since he lets me decide, he always helps me and he likes to listen and know what I have learned about breastfeeding.
The most important thing to be able to have a successful breastfeeding
All the mothers who kindly shared their testimony have something in common: they were surrounded by a circle of support , whether by family, partner, friends, coworkers and medical personnel, who supported them to be able to move forward and give their best to their babies .
But in addition to having an environment that was by their side to continue breastfeeding despite difficulties, they know that the experience of other mothers also serves as a motivator to keep going. Therefore, they share their best tips:
“Seek support, the truth is that for me it is the most beautiful thing that happened to me, finding someone to support me during this process, if you have doubts, ask, sometimes we feel sorry but really there are situations in which it is very simple the solution, get informed, knowledge is power, empower yourselves, defend your motherhood and breastfeeding, defend that you can, that your body is food, defend the bond you have with your child, and above all love, love is the basis for a breastfeeding is successful, remember that breastfeeding is not painful, there is no reason to suffer, enjoy and if you have doubts or problems with it you can go to a lactation consultant, there are many people who are experts on the subject and who can help you and let yourself be pampered, that as new mothers we are born at the same time as the baby “- Yadira
“Information is power. Do not doubt that breastfeeding brings great benefits for you and your child. Also, do not doubt your decisions. Sometimes it feels like the longest road, and you don’t see the benefits the first time, but you are doing it. good “- Lucila
“It is good to find out, go to courses or read about breastfeeding. It also helps a lot to turn to nurserywomen in case of doubts or difficulties, or if not to a dear friend or someone you trust who gives emotional support. It is not easy at first but it is can achieve a successful breastfeeding “- Melanie
“Enjoy, it is one of the best stages of life that connection that only you will have with your baby is unmatched, at first it may hurt, but everything you achieve with just breastfeeding is beautiful! Breastfeed until your baby decides no matter what age “- Citlaly
My advice is that before giving birth, inform yourself and go with someone to help you and tell the people around you to support you. Breastfeeding should not be so complicated and if it is, it is because something is not right and it is not your fault […] talk to your gynecologist and ask him everything. Contact a lactation consultant, and above all, ignore the people around you who judge you. The ideal lactation is the one that lasts as long as you decide and in your own way. Empower yourself and make your informed decisions with lots of love “- Irisdea
“Read a lot (that they are reliable sources), if there are groups or courses on it, don’t think about it and go, if it’s as a couple, much better. Do your documentation and it is also important that your doctor supports you because many of the first time you cannot They say there is nothing wrong with the formula. We all have different experiences, do not be scared, when they tell you something, listen and take it as an experience but do not let them predispose you. The process of breastfeeding with your baby requires a lot of patience and peace, if your family members are only pressing and hindering the truth, remove them and let them come back later. It is a moment for you and your baby “- Ivette
“Having children is a great decision, which teaches us to choose well, because we dearly love these little beings and we relentlessly think about their well-being at every inch, at every opportunity, at every minute … that’s why breastfeeding is the best decision that we can take, breastfeed despite everything, and everyone. Because it is the best for them, it strengthens them, and we are the same. As mothers, as women. It is our body and our children, divinely connected, bathed in the grace of the nature. No one should give an opinion, or know what is best, just mom “- Karen
“My best advice is: find out, read, see, ask, no one is born knowing and less in an environment that is more committed to formula. Lose your fear of knowledge, look for professionals to guide you, such as lactation consultants, but above all defend your breastfeeding tooth and nail because it is the only thing that no one else will be able to give your child, more than physical nutrition, breastfeeding nourishes the hearts of both and becomes a unique bond that will never be compared to another experience “- Fatima
“My biggest advice would be TRUST. I think that’s the magic word, trust yourself, your body, your baby, surround yourself with people who support you a thousand on the subject of breastfeeding and ignore the people who only advise without knowing Talk with your circle of trust and always express your feelings if you are tired, worried, etc. Many times we do not want advice, we just want to be heard because breastfeeding is a super job 24/7 without breaks, but in the cost-benefit relation clearly the benefits are much greater “- Araceli
“Ask about experiences, talk to mothers who have successful experiences or who have managed to have them, hearing more problems can be contradictory for the empowerment of breastfeeding and most importantly: make tribe, women and families that support breastfeeding. That is fundamental. It lasts so little that it deserves to be enjoyed by all “- Mabel
“My advice would be to inform yourself, to block negative comments from uninformed people from your mind and to follow your maternal instinct” – Ana Yesenia
“At the beginning it is complex but time passes very quickly and the bad days are forgotten. Consult a lactation consultant in case of doubts, look for pediatricians and gynecologists updated on this subject. And that they remain firm in their decisions. What worked a lot for me was repeating to myself that we are mammals, and as mammals it is normal for babies to drink our milk, we all have the ability to give milk, not to be convinced otherwise “- Adriana
“The most important thing is information, it is the best tool to have a successful breastfeeding, approach before with support groups, with lactation consultants, not be afraid, be convinced of all the benefits that both have, do not give up because they are tired, or because the baby cries and stays hungry because you don’t fill it. It will happen so quickly and it is the best we can give our children, breast milk “- Lupita
Do not be distressed! You can, even if you think it is impossible and are about to throw in the towel, do not do it, be patient and you will see that you will achieve a successful breastfeeding! Read, find out, go to a lactation consultant, listen to the women of your tribe who have already been through the subject of breastfeeding (mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, sisters) And remember that the best thing for your baby is you! “- Roxana
“Read a lot, this dispels many doubts, nobody knows how to be a mother, there is always fear, and you never finish learning, the baby that is on the way or that has already arrived, is your best teacher, form a team with him, create that bond unshakable, learn together, let him guide you from time to time. Do not be sorry if your child is hungry and they are on the street; in your work fight for your right to breastfeed and ask for your time to express milk. With your family, or close circle talks, maybe they come from the time when packaged food and bottled milk made them believe that it was practical and healthy. You have to go further back and make them see that the grandmothers were right and that there is no better food than the that your body can give your child: “nature is wise and fantastic, almost magical and knows what it does.” – Patricia
As we can see, all the mothers who shared their personal experiences agree on two keys to having a successful breastfeeding: getting informed and having a support network . Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience when you have both, and we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help or ask questions.
Remember also that the best thing is that you and your baby are well , and that should always be the engine that drives you forward, to continue breastfeeding for as long as you both need and feel comfortable.
Photos | iStock
