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My husband isn’t a big reader of my blog. Every now and then he pops by and has a bit of a read… but mostly he steers clear. A few weeks ago I was reading some of my favourite blogs, and one mama happened to be writing about boobs. Looking over my shoulder he said to me, is she seriously writing about her boobs? On the internet? Promise me you will never do that… I promised. And now here I am, breaking that promise. Ooops, sorry love.
But it’s for a good cause. It’s breastfeeding awareness week in the UK and Emma-Jane Maternity asked if I’d write guest post for them about my own breastfeeding journey and how our lifestyle has influenced our choices. So there, on someone else’s blog… I wrote about breastfeeding (and yes, indirectly, about my boobs), if you scroll down you can read some other pretty wonderful stories of women and their breastfeeding experiences.I’m sure we will talk more about my boobs breastfeeding experiences in the future, but for now, let’s talk about YOU!
So, in celebration of breastfeeding awareness week and all things milky, Emma-Jane Maternity has so generously offered one of YOU, my readers… a beautiful, seam- free and super comfy next generation nursing bra. I’m so happy to have this as our very first give-away on Inked in Colour, it’s perfect. And we are so very proud to be supporting what we truly believe to be one of life’s most beautiful gifts… boobs, I mean, breastfeeding.
All you need to do to be in the running is comment on THIS blog and let us know what breastfeeding means to you… then at the end of the weekend I’ll randomly select one winner to be the proud new owner of a beautiful new nursing bra.
Got milk? Need a new bra?
Beck Thomas - Being my second baby, I thought I would have a much easier time breastfeeding. And I was right.
Nipple shields from the start (flat nips here), a notice to the midwives that I would ask for advice and not to offer it, and a much more relaxed mummy equaled easy peasy breastfeeding.
The only thng I did differently this time was I zoned out all previous expectations I had had and I just went with the flow.
Susan Eardley - Just read the post – its beautiful! I certainly hope that second time round for me is more like your story. I totally agree that there should be more support for all mothers! Oh and aside from that, I’d love to win a bra because with 4 weeks to go, I should really get myself prepared! π
Cassie Nguyen - I loved your post on Emma-Jane! I had started writing about my breastfeeding journey *months* ago and then chickened out from posting it. But now I think I will! Breastfeeding your baby, well actually any method of feeding your baby, is really just amazing.
Watching Archie grow from a little newborn to this real little boy, with the best chubby cheeks and now fat little leg rolls has been the most unreal experience in my life. And to be lucky enough to be able to breastfeed, and know that he has grown so big and so fast all because of what I can provide for him is perhaps one of the best confidence boosters a mother can get. (I really must stop and remind myself of this more often!)
Kate Lauterio - My best friend just had a gorgeous baby and has been asking for my help and I have loved reliving my breast feeding experience. My beautiful girl is nearly 5 months and we’ve been lucky to have shared a wonderful feeding relationship which I hope will continue until she is at least 1.
Laura Beckham - breasfeeding means to me given my baby girl the best start in life,feeling as close to he as possible whilst ensuring she gets the balance from my milk in her diet that she deserves my little girl deserves the best and if im able to provide that then im happy im doing my best for her. π
Sprogmama - My son just turned two last week and I am so proud to still be breastfeeding! I’d love to win a nursing bra because even after all this time, I still find it so uncomfortable to wear regular under-wired ones.
Breastmilk truly is liquid gold. I credit it for my son’s excellent health, his ability to fight off infection quickly and providing an incredible bond between us. I will be very sad the day he chooses to stop nursing.
I’ve written about breastfeeding on my blog before and I shall no doubt do so again. I had a difficult time in the early weeks and I very nearly gave up, only sheer stubbornness to provide the very best for my baby kept me going. I would happily go through all the nipple pain, the cluster feeds and the broken sleep again for my future babies because it’s absolutely worth it.
Natalie Hine - As usual, loved your blog on Emma-Jane. Everyone has different views on breastfeeding: how, when, where, for how long ect. Something so natural is not exactly easy for every woman. My first child had no idea what the boob was for, my second found her way around my nips at 5 weeks, and my 3rd managed to tame the boobies at 2 weeks of age. But with all three children, whether drinking MY milk from a bottle or on tap, my most favourite moment is when halfway through a feed, their eye catches yours, the sucking stops abruptly, and you get the most gorgeous milky grin……heart melting.
Rebecca Andary - Breast feeding wasn’t easy for my baby girl Phoenix and me at the start. She wasn’t interested in the boob, or any milk for that matter, for the first 36 hours. Then when she was getting hungry she couldn’t latch onto my nipples properly – she just wouldn’t open her mouth wide enough. The midwives, who I’m sure were just trying to be helpful, would grab her head and grab my boob and try to force the two together correctly. It was stressful for both of us and I was so upset and so close to just giving up when a lovely midwife offered me a nipple shield and we haven’t looked back. We now no longer need the shield.
Like Natalie I love the cheeky milky grins but selfishly breastfeeding is also special to me as it’s something only I can offer Phoenix. It guarantees that her and I get to spend snippets of special time together several times a day :-P.
Kylie Pedersen - Breast feeding…. Possibly the best and worst thing I have ever done π hehe. While I often find it a challange, I am pleased to say that it has been an incrediby rewarding journey for me. My favourite achievment! the one thing i had 100% determination for succes with. My son and I both enjoy the endless moments gazing into each others eyes and sneaking little smiles into an otherwise hectic day! with out a doubt breast feeding means much more to me then I ever knew it could.
Kirsty Phillipson-Lowe - If feel very passionate about breast feeding. I am a mum to 4 month old twins. I was always determined to breast feed throughout my pregnancy. I invested in a good double electric breastpump to ensure my babies would get my milk. My babies were born at 34+6 and went straight into nicu so my breastpump was a god send. I Pumped every 2 – 3 hours to get my milk going every single drop that i pumped was taken up to the ward to be fed via the tubes. I genuinely believe that my breast milk helped my babies get the strength to be discharged after only 12 days in nicu. They have continued to come on in leaps and bounds and have both expressed breastmilk and latch on. I hope to be able to continue until they are a year old x
Denee - I’m 14 weeks with my first, and VERY excited about exclusively breastfeeding. For health reasons, and bonding reasons, there is no greater gift for our babies!
Amanda - I’m a relatively new reader, but your blog is lovely.
I was very passionate when it came to feeding my (preemie) girl. She was early and I wanted the best for her. After six hard weeks of pain, it finally turned into the experience I had hoped for. It was an amazing bonding experience with such closeness, and I was able to provide the best for her. I can’t wait to have another one so I can experience it all again.
Yvette - Breastfeeding means that I’m nourishing my twins, much like how I was nourishing them while I was pregnant with them. Sure, my twins were 2 months prem and spent that amount of time in hospital, it made them getting breastmilk even more important. I’ve had struggles with an initial oversupply, and then when they caught up an under supply (due to my having a pregnancy that ended too early). I express several times a day just to make sure they get their milk. Now 7 months after their early birth, they’re still getting their breastmilk filled with proteins, antibodies and curries made with love. I’m proud of myself for each little victory, each breastfeed, each EBM feed, each little drop they consume.
Angela - Sash, I just love your blog! I’m 17 weeks preggers myself
I’m a hooked in reading from a like minded soul. and just love hearing about little Bo.
My boobs (I like to call them the girls) havnt grown in size and for that I’m eternally
grateful, I’m currently a heafty 16G and I’m not sure whether maternity bras will accomodate
The increase to Mumma boobs. But ultimatley I pray my milk will come in, otherwise I will consider the girls traitors, airbags, a pointless cumbersome burden I’ve been heaving around for years.
This is your time girls, shine… Please?
Lina Ibrahim - It was very hard for me in the beginning of my breastfeeding journey. Especially when my parents did not support me since they hate the idea of seeing me struggling with the breastpump, etc. But I had a full intention to breastfeed my baby. And here we are now, loving every bonding created every time I nurse and couldn’t be any happier with my decision.
TJ - My second baby is four months old and just like with her big sister, I love everything about breastfeeding her. I love the closeness and cuddling, the way she grins when she looks at me, the way she slowly drifts to sleep in my arms…all of it. And I love how much easier it was in the beginning weeks this time around! I’ve surprised myself by how little I care about other people’s reactions when I’m out in public nursing my daughter. With my first, I always made sure to have some type of cover and preferred being in a quiet space sitting down. But now, that’s just a luxury I don’t always have when I’m simultaneously chasing a toddler around! I nurse whenever, wherever, and however with my baby. I figure people would prefer that over a screaming baby if they happen to be in line with me somewhere!
Crista - HI! I was somewhat ashamed as I read because I’ve definitely blogged about my boobs/breastfeeding and then wondered who would be reading and thinking I was crazy π I thought I’d send over a link incase you’d like to feel not-so-alone in breastfeeding blogging π I liked reading your guest post, too!
http://handsandheartsmorethanfull.blogspot.com/2012/06/breastfeeding-bliss-or-lack-thereof.html
Emma Zajac - Im reading this blog entry a hour before I leave for the hospital to be induced on my second baby π
I breastfed my son for 18 months and it was a fantastic experience, one I hope to repeat. I was one of the lucky ones, as I had no problems establishing feeding. I live in Ireland and the breastfeeding rates are not good at all, so reactions were mixed towards my decision. However, the experience of it was so special to me, I can’t wait to do it all over again π
» An afternoon stroll. Inked in Colour - […] case any other readers want to grab their chance at getting their hands on a new nursing bra in the awesome give-away, I’ll announce the winner tomorrow. As always, you can vote for us […]
Khayt - I’ve loved the breastfeeding experience moreso this time round.
Even though there are still the same questions, is he getting enough? am I doing it right?
I’ve just learnt to better trust my instincts! My hungry little monkey’s chunky thighs are proof
that things are going just fine!
Sash - Thanks for all the comments ladies, I have loved reading about all your breastfeeding experiences and hopes and dreams, and do hope for those of you who are pregnant right now and yet to have your babies in your arms that your “girls” as Angela put it, do right by you! This competition is now closed! Stay tuned for the announcement tomorrow.
XOX
Karla Smith - Breastfeeding for me meant I knew I was doing something right especially during the early days of post natal depression. We battled through a lot to carry on but got there and kept going til my son self weaned.
Molly Dodd - Breastfeeding means calm, happy, bonding, love, chubby thighs, sweet eye gazes, baby sighs, eye rolling, heavy lids, nighttime quiet, nourishing, powerful……and so much more.
Thank you for such a great giveaway. my favorite nursing bra broke yesterday π maybe this is fate. Ive loved reading your blog from my little corner of the woods in Maine.
xo