Breastfeeding Stories - Annie

This is Annie, she a mum to two beautiful girls. She is photographed here with her youngest. These are her words.

I don’t come from a family of breastfeeders so it didn’t come natural to me and on my first daughter, I struggled. I found it really hard and I felt like a failure actually admitting I couldn’t do it. I was nervous and I couldn’t focus on what was the right thing to do and I didn’t feel comfortable talking to people about it. 

My problem was I had put way too much pressure on myself. I didn’t do any research and just thought I should know how to do it. It didn’t work and I stopped after a month.

Then I became pregnant on my second child and rather than go into it blindly I researched more. I talked more and asked other friends for advice. I connected with a breastfeeding buddy on a FB group and I literally had a 1-2-1 expert on speed dial. Even late at night, we’d communicate. We never met in person, which seems mad, but the odd message of reassurance really helped.  

I felt much more confident, I learned how to dress appropriately so I was comfortable out and about and the main thing is I cared less... As in, I cared less about flashing a boob or leaking milk. As long as my baby was fed I was comfortable. 

The connection we had was so, so powerful and knowing that I was growing this little human was just overwhelming. 

This time round it was much easier. She latched perfectly. I never felt soreness, it was actually so easy. The bond it has left between us now is so strong. 

I love to see women feeding their babies now, I think it is so beautiful. I think any baby feeding is beautiful, but when a Mama  breastfeeds their little human, the visible connection from a distance is so wonderful.