• Condition
• >> Breastfeeding >> Breastfeeding

Publication date:  May 2007                  

Last updated: November 2011

Next review: November 2013

We interviewed 49 women and 2 men about their experiences of breastfeeding. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• >> Breastfeeding >> Breastfeeding

Publication date:  May 2007                  

Last updated: November 2011

Next review: November 2013

We interviewed 49 women and 2 men about their experiences of breastfeeding. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Breastfeeding

Publication date:  May 2007                  

Last updated: November 2011

Next review: November 2013

We interviewed 49 women and 2 men about their experiences of breastfeeding. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Clip
• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 31 >> With only a fourteen month gap, her older child was very distressed by the arrival of his baby brother.

First month of breastfeeding was the hardest thing she has done in her life. Very sore and cracked nipples. Fussy babies at 4-5 months, early weaning with first baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 33 >> Her exhaustion affected her milk supply. She needed to call on family support and slow down. She said that breastfeeding was physical but also psychol

Water birth, easy breastfeeding with first child. Sleep deprivation and mastitis with second. Weaning to bottle at six months in order to go back to work.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 37 >> She regrets weaning her first baby to return to work but says that she will not make the same mistake again.

Unsatisfactory hospital experience with first baby; other two were home births. Regrets stopping breastfeeding her first child to go back to work. She didn't do that again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 12 >> She lived with her parents-in-law at first. Her husband and her extended family were very supportive of her breastfeeding. She did not feed in front o

Breastfeeding wonderful, easy. Demand fed even when baby was in an incubator after becoming jaundiced. Encourages other women in her role as breastfeeding support worker. Breastfed through Ramadan.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 46 >> She stayed with her mother after the birth of her first baby. Her extended family helped out when she had the other children.

Breastfed five children without problems, two of them in tandem for a short time. Very proud of her achievements. Breastfeeding peer supporter for her local community.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 43 >> She stayed with her mother-in law for forty days after her son's birth and received many visitors. She was lonely at first when she returned to her ow

Breastfed without problem. Stayed with mother-in-law for 40 days after birth. Sore nipples & breasts, mother-in-law massaged with oil.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 15-19 >> Interview 40 >> Her extended family did not approve of her breastfeeding and thought that it was why her baby was unsettled. However, her boyfriend was very supportiv

Baby had jaundice and lost weight at first, needed to be woken 2-3 hourly to feed. Engorgement, sore nipples in first two weeks. Dummy for comfort sucking.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 22 >> She received variable advice from a variety of health professionals and doubted her ability as a mother until she attended a lactation clinic for expe

Difficulty with latch-on; poor weight gain; mixed breastfeeding and bottle feeding (expressed breast milk and formula); baby on regular 6 feeds during the day.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 08 >> She was isolated from family and friends with her first baby but had their support with her second. She says to accept help when it is offered.

Struggled to feed first baby, feeling very isolated in the Middle East. Second baby easier, fed through gastroenteritis infection. Both babies had short time in Special Care.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 46 >> She breastfed five children with ease and feels very proud of her self for becoming a peer counsellor. It gives her great pleasure to be able to help

Breastfed five children without problems, two of them in tandem for a short time. Very proud of her achievements. Breastfeeding peer supporter for her local community.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 48 >> She was ill and unable to put her baby to her breast straight after birth which caused her to be apprehensive and anxious.

Apprehensive at first about not feeding straight after the birth and then positioning baby at the breast. No problems thereafter. Managing gradual weaning.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 47 >> When her baby wanted to feed constantly she received help with attaching her. She appreciated the support, “tea and toast” and encouragement that made

Excellent help with getting breastfeeding established with first child. No problems with either. Anxious about going back to work and being separated from baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 07 >> There was a 'nurse', in a one-to-one session in the middle of the night, who taught her how to keep her baby awake and feeding.

Attended antenatal classes, enjoying demand breastfeeding which has been convenient and easy apart from one bout of mastitis. Pregnant again and thinking about weaning at one year.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 40-45 >> Interview 19 >> The 'nurses' helped her breastfeed straight after a caesarean section and even though her baby then couldn't breastfeed for a few days she was confide

Breastfed baby with Down's Syndrome. Jaundice. Slow weight gain led to mixed formula and breastfeeding, possibly due to heart problem that required surgery at 4½ months. Baby constipated on formula.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 35 >> In adult intensive care, no-one thought to express her milk. One nurse/midwife held her baby to her breast. She was expected to express and cup feed b

Pre-eclamptic fit, caesarean section, breastfed in intensive care and later in coronary care (heart failure/post partum cardiomyopathy). Determined breastfeeder. Peer counsellor and breastfeeding programme administrator.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 15 >> Her hospital stay was so “horrendous” that she discharged herself early. She did not get the support that she requested because the members of staff w

Bad hospital experiences. Copious milk supply, leaking, engorgement, solids at four months followed by breast refusal and early weaning. Now a peer supporter for other breastfeeding women.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 26 >> Becoming a parent was a reality check for him. He saw his role as one of support which was not easy but very important.

Father of three. Supportive of long-term breastfeeding and co-sleeping.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 15-19 >> Interview 40 >> She had an unplanned pregnancy and it took her a while to accept her baby after the birth. She had learned about breastfeeding and tried to attach her

Baby had jaundice and lost weight at first, needed to be woken 2-3 hourly to feed. Engorgement, sore nipples in first two weeks. Dummy for comfort sucking.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 48 >> Conflicting advice in a busy ward confused this woman and made her anxious until she received help from someone from a breastfeeding clinic in whose e

Apprehensive at first about not feeding straight after the birth and then positioning baby at the breast. No problems thereafter. Managing gradual weaning.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 05 >> Early interventions in the hospital (infant formula, syringe, cup and bottle feeding) could have caused later problems. She expressed for ten weeks be

Fed daughter expressed breast milk via bottle for 10 weeks until baby learned to breastfeed. Discusses pumping, mastitis, breast milk donation, weaning. Son's feeding straight forward.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 24 >> Her baby had not breastfed properly on discharge and it was only after readmission to hospital that she received the help that she required.

Ceasarean section with first baby, nipple shields, abundant milk supply, mastitis. Has breastfed toddlers and tandem fed new baby with toddler.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 37 >> Support from her partner made a big difference but the best support was that which she sought from other breastfeeding women.

Unsatisfactory hospital experience with first baby; other two were home births. Regrets stopping breastfeeding her first child to go back to work. She didn't do that again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 16 >> While she was getting support from her lactation consultant she was also getting support from the other women. She talked about why that was important

Baby in Special Care, fed expressed breast milk via tube, syringe & cup. Problems at home, slow weight gain, mixed feeding. Support from lactation consultant for five months.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 25 >> Meeting with other women to share experiences has been important in helping her to adapt to motherhood.

Special Care separation from 1st baby emotionally difficult. Got into cycle of engorgement, expressing, mastitis, too much milk for six months. Has not expressed for second baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 01 >> Family and friends were concerned about her and their comments made it hard to continue breastfeeding especially when things were difficult.

Long labour, emergency caesarean section. Cracked nipples. Baby fed constantly but failed to thrive. Discusses chiropractic sessions, supplemental bottles, early solids, and milk donation. Now enjoying breastfeeding.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 10 >> Breastfeeding is not common in her area and she received undermining suggestions from a lot of people around her about introducing infant formula.

Little help from midwives in hospital. Used nipple shields for inverted nipples, affected milk supply. Postnatal depression with one child. Dairy intolerance with another. Practices attachment parenting.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 35 >> She became an advocate for breastfeeding in her area and the demand for support has grown very quickly.

Pre-eclamptic fit, caesarean section, breastfed in intensive care and later in coronary care (heart failure/post partum cardiomyopathy). Determined breastfeeder. Peer counsellor and breastfeeding programme administrator.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 37 >> She thinks that breastfeeding her children changed attitudes within her extended family and she and her husband believe that their daughter will also

Unsatisfactory hospital experience with first baby; other two were home births. Regrets stopping breastfeeding her first child to go back to work. She didn't do that again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 12 >> As a breastfeeding support worker she visited Muslim families to explain the importance of breastfeeding. She talked about breastfeeding through Ramad

Breastfeeding wonderful, easy. Demand fed even when baby was in an incubator after becoming jaundiced. Encourages other women in her role as breastfeeding support worker. Breastfed through Ramadan.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 45 >> Originally from Colombia, she says that most women breastfeed there. Her mother came to the UK to look after her for a month after the birth of her ba

Loves breastfeeding despite painful beginning. Used nipple shields. Hates being separated from her baby. Feeding time is family time. Husband works away from home during week.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 31 >> Her mother-in-law was supportive even though she had not breastfed herself. She talked about the Indian traditions surrounding the birth of a baby, pa

First month of breastfeeding was the hardest thing she has done in her life. Very sore and cracked nipples. Fussy babies at 4-5 months, early weaning with first baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 13 >> She said that the Jewish culture is very pro-breastfeeding and the women are well looked after in the post-partum period.

Long-term breast milk expression for two babies with cleft palate. Relactation for second baby (viral meningitis at birth), extreme dairy intolerance, breastfed after operation to repair cleft.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 29 >> Although she is westernised, she talked about Thai traditions and how they differed from breastfeeding practices in the UK.

One son (mixed feeding) born in Thailand, one (exclusive breastfeeding) in Britain. Very different health systems and support. Positioning problems, crying babies. Learned by observing other women.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 08 >> Her first baby was born in the Middle East. She talks about the support that Omani women received from their extended family and how different it was

Struggled to feed first baby, feeling very isolated in the Middle East. Second baby easier, fed through gastroenteritis infection. Both babies had short time in Special Care.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 04 >> She described the routines in the German hospital where she gave birth. Staff members were supportive but breastfeeding was more regimented than would

Baby 7 weeks premature, incubator and special care, 4-hourly pumping/feeding schedule, milk dried up soon after going home. Discusses mixed emotions, kangaroo care, pressure to breastfeed.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 08 >> Away from family and friends, she was very lonely, her baby was unsettled and she weaned prematurely. She still feels guilty about this.

Struggled to feed first baby, feeling very isolated in the Middle East. Second baby easier, fed through gastroenteritis infection. Both babies had short time in Special Care.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 09 >> She naively assumed that breastfeeding would be easy but found that it wasn't. She was determined and was proud to have succeeded at one of the things

Initially found breastfeeding hard with tongue-tie, sore nipples latching-on problems and syringe feeding. Sought help from chiropractor with craniosacral therapy for baby. Proud that she persevered.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 13 >> Diagnosis of Pierre Robin Syndrome for her first son born with a cleft palate was a positive turning point. She expressed breast milk for him and had

Long-term breast milk expression for two babies with cleft palate. Relactation for second baby (viral meningitis at birth), extreme dairy intolerance, breastfed after operation to repair cleft.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 40-45 >> Interview 19 >> It was easier once she knew that her baby definitely had Down's Syndrome but that does not define her daughter. It is just something that she has.

Breastfed baby with Down's Syndrome. Jaundice. Slow weight gain led to mixed formula and breastfeeding, possibly due to heart problem that required surgery at 4½ months. Baby constipated on formula.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 40-45 >> Interview 06 >> She needed practical assistance around the home and said that a crescent shaped beanbag was the best aid for breastfeeding her baby.

Mixed breast and bottle feeding because the mother haemorrhaged badly after a Caesarean Section and was very ill for a long time. Expressing didn't improve milk supply.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 13 >> She expressed breast milk long-term for her two babies with cleft palates. Her second son was able to breastfeed after his cleft palate repair operati

Long-term breast milk expression for two babies with cleft palate. Relactation for second baby (viral meningitis at birth), extreme dairy intolerance, breastfed after operation to repair cleft.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 40-45 >> Interview 19 >> She breastfed her baby with Down's Syndrome until doctor's recommended infant formula for slow weight gain which turned out to be caused by her baby's

Breastfed baby with Down's Syndrome. Jaundice. Slow weight gain led to mixed formula and breastfeeding, possibly due to heart problem that required surgery at 4½ months. Baby constipated on formula.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 27 >> Her baby required surgery immediately after birth for a heart condition. Being separated was difficult but she focused on providing her breast milk. (

Nursing strikes with her son. Daughter required heart surgery after birth. Expressed breastmilk for her and also provided some for the milk bank. Working and breastfeeding.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 35 >> She was extremely ill with eclampsia and postpartum cardiomyopathy but the most important thing to her was to be able to breastfeed and mother her dau

Pre-eclamptic fit, caesarean section, breastfed in intensive care and later in coronary care (heart failure/post partum cardiomyopathy). Determined breastfeeder. Peer counsellor and breastfeeding programme administrator.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 41 >> Her eight month old baby underwent a heart transplant. She built up her milk supply and provided breast milk for tube feeding. Her baby eventually bre

Breastfeeding easy. Baby critically ill at 8 months, eventually underwent a heart transplant operation. Fed expressed breast milk in hospital and baby returned to breastfeeding at home.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 49 >> The internet was particularly important for information and contact with other women via a forum but she had to be especially careful about the reliab

Caesarean section, cracked nipples, blocked ducts and mastitis. Breastfed exclusively for 26 weeks before introducing finger foods. Trying to cut out night feeds.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 28 >> A friend introduced her to La Leche League meetings while she was pregnant. She saw women happily breastfeeding their babies. She found other antenata

La Leche League Leader, long-term breastfeeder, needed to take care with latching on, engorgement, dealt with occasional blocked ducts herself, breastfed while pregnant, tandem fed baby & toddler.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 18 >> She had a very supportive friend. Without her she would not have continued to breastfeed.

Bottle fed first baby; breastfed second (6 months, enjoyable, copious milk supply) and third for six weeks (difficult, unsettled).

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 13 >> She remembered with warmth in her heart the professionals who were helpful but also wished that others would listen to women and refer when outside th

Long-term breast milk expression for two babies with cleft palate. Relactation for second baby (viral meningitis at birth), extreme dairy intolerance, breastfed after operation to repair cleft.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 15 >> She thought that health professionals can be patronising and need to be clearer in their advice especially with women who have difficulty reading pamp

Bad hospital experiences. Copious milk supply, leaking, engorgement, solids at four months followed by breast refusal and early weaning. Now a peer supporter for other breastfeeding women.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 14 >> She did not find the professionals that she dealt with very helpful and is critical of the western system of childbirth and infant feeding.

Talks about "natural" birth and breastfeeding; pressure from Social Services and health professionals to conform to expected behaviours; conflicting advice, prolonged breastfeeding and the difficulties of weaning a toddler.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 25 >> She said that breastfeeding is not a technique, it is an experience and that professionals need to spend time listening to a woman's story but are con

Special Care separation from 1st baby emotionally difficult. Got into cycle of engorgement, expressing, mastitis, too much milk for six months. Has not expressed for second baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 05 >> She was annoyed about the early introduction of infant formula which impacted upon her breastfeeding experience.

Fed daughter expressed breast milk via bottle for 10 weeks until baby learned to breastfeed. Discusses pumping, mastitis, breast milk donation, weaning. Son's feeding straight forward.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 33 >> She valued the advice and support from her family more than her health professionals, who may not have had the knowledge or the experience of breastfe

Water birth, easy breastfeeding with first child. Sleep deprivation and mastitis with second. Weaning to bottle at six months in order to go back to work.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 12 >> As a breastfeeding support worker, she was aware of unsupportive practices amongst health professionals and the impact that they had on women.

Breastfeeding wonderful, easy. Demand fed even when baby was in an incubator after becoming jaundiced. Encourages other women in her role as breastfeeding support worker. Breastfed through Ramadan.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 31 >> She thinks that consistent advice and continuity of care would mean one less stressful burden for women to think about around the time of their baby's

First month of breastfeeding was the hardest thing she has done in her life. Very sore and cracked nipples. Fussy babies at 4-5 months, early weaning with first baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 24 >> She advises health professionals to encourage women and women to find someone who they know and trust. She wishes there were more breastfeeding clinic

Ceasarean section with first baby, nipple shields, abundant milk supply, mastitis. Has breastfed toddlers and tandem fed new baby with toddler.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 16 >> She said that health professionals need to believe in breastfeeding, be better trained and be more accessible to women.

Baby in Special Care, fed expressed breast milk via tube, syringe & cup. Problems at home, slow weight gain, mixed feeding. Support from lactation consultant for five months.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 31 >> As a pharmacist her training focused on infant formula but all knowledge “went out of the window” when she became a mother and she relied on her insti

First month of breastfeeding was the hardest thing she has done in her life. Very sore and cracked nipples. Fussy babies at 4-5 months, early weaning with first baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 22 >> Her medical training did nothing to prepare her for the practicalities of how to breastfeed or how to teach someone else to breastfeed.

Difficulty with latch-on; poor weight gain; mixed breastfeeding and bottle feeding (expressed breast milk and formula); baby on regular 6 feeds during the day.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 33 >> She was amazed and frustrated by how much time it took to feed her newborn baby until she realised that breastfeeding was the most important priority

Water birth, easy breastfeeding with first child. Sleep deprivation and mastitis with second. Weaning to bottle at six months in order to go back to work.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 01 >> Having her daughter changed her life. She said to enjoy breastfeeding, take it slowly, find a local support group and know that difficult times will g

Long labour, emergency caesarean section. Cracked nipples. Baby fed constantly but failed to thrive. Discusses chiropractic sessions, supplemental bottles, early solids, and milk donation. Now enjoying breastfeeding.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 38 >> She advised all women to try breastfeeding and not to buy anything for it except perhaps a nice bra.

Breastfed - almost exclusively, only just beginning solid food at one year. Sleepy baby with jaundice, occasional blocked duct. Baby shares mother's bed. Support group important.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 24 >> Breastfeeding was a big part of being a mother and she wished that she had seen more women breastfeeding. For her, there was no substitute for hands-o

Ceasarean section with first baby, nipple shields, abundant milk supply, mastitis. Has breastfed toddlers and tandem fed new baby with toddler.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 30 >> She recommends setting up support networks, taking time to discover the breastfeeding relationship, lots of skin-to-skin contact and getting help befo

Enjoyed breastfeeding, few difficulties, support network extremely important to her especially family, friends and the breastfeeding support group, La Leche League.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 27 >> She knew that breastfeeding was the most important thing that she could do for her baby in Special Care and communicated her breastfeeding plan to her

Nursing strikes with her son. Daughter required heart surgery after birth. Expressed breastmilk for her and also provided some for the milk bank. Working and breastfeeding.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 17 >> Her advice is to say that you want to breastfeed your baby and to hold onto that thought - it is an on-going learning process for you and your baby.

Difficulties with breastfeeding including positioning, sore nipples (used nipple shields), low milk supply, poor weight gain, possible depression. Having nightmares about going back to work.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 14 >> She got in touch with her body through pregnancy and breastfeeding and tried to follow her instinct. Breastfeeding drew her and her daughter together.

Talks about "natural" birth and breastfeeding; pressure from Social Services and health professionals to conform to expected behaviours; conflicting advice, prolonged breastfeeding and the difficulties of weaning a toddler.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 26 >> Having a baby brought responsibilities and a clearer distinction in roles for him. His relationship with his children has strengthened with time.

Father of three. Supportive of long-term breastfeeding and co-sleeping.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 49 >> She discussed unhelpful attitudes towards breastfeeding and some ways of encouraging and supporting women from disadvantaged areas.

Caesarean section, cracked nipples, blocked ducts and mastitis. Breastfed exclusively for 26 weeks before introducing finger foods. Trying to cut out night feeds.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 25 >> She thought that the best environment for breastfeeding was in a supportive community and was shocked by the advertising for infant formula in France

Special Care separation from 1st baby emotionally difficult. Got into cycle of engorgement, expressing, mastitis, too much milk for six months. Has not expressed for second baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 13 >> Her milk supply went down because her baby with a cleft palate was unable to feed properly. It took a long time and a lot of effort to bring her milk

Long-term breast milk expression for two babies with cleft palate. Relactation for second baby (viral meningitis at birth), extreme dairy intolerance, breastfed after operation to repair cleft.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 50 >> Her baby suddenly refused to breastfeed when they were on holiday. She received help from a breastfeeding clinic but was worried by the term breast re

Exclusively breastfeeding twins with a toddler in the house. First child almost rejected the breast at three months. Mother's comfort (cushions essential) and positioning the baby/babies at the breast important.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 50 >> Talking to other people who had twins and getting help in the home was extremely important to her.

Exclusively breastfeeding twins with a toddler in the house. First child almost rejected the breast at three months. Mother's comfort (cushions essential) and positioning the baby/babies at the breast important.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 49 >> She was sent home from the hospital with a “goody bag” of painkillers and was confused about what she had already had and what else to take and when.

Caesarean section, cracked nipples, blocked ducts and mastitis. Breastfed exclusively for 26 weeks before introducing finger foods. Trying to cut out night feeds.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 22 >> Her baby's weight gain slowed so she gave her top ups of expressed milk and infant formula. She used Domperidone* to improve her milk supply.

Difficulty with latch-on; poor weight gain; mixed breastfeeding and bottle feeding (expressed breast milk and formula); baby on regular 6 feeds during the day.

• Topic
• >> Breastfeeding >> Getting support for breastfeeding >> Getting support for breastfeeding

Getting support for breastfeeding

• >> Breastfeeding >> Getting support for breastfeeding >> Getting support for breastfeeding

Getting support for breastfeeding

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Getting support for breastfeeding >> Getting support for breastfeeding

Getting support for breastfeeding

• >> Breastfeeding >> Support from hospital staff >> Support from hospital staff

Support from hospital staff

• >> Breastfeeding >> Support from hospital staff >> Support from hospital staff

Support from hospital staff

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Support from hospital staff >> Support from hospital staff

Support from hospital staff

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 18 >> She had a very supportive friend. Without her she would not have continued to breastfeed.

Bottle fed first baby; breastfed second (6 months, enjoyable, copious milk supply) and third for six weeks (difficult, unsettled).

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 37 >> Support from her partner made a big difference but the best support was that which she sought from other breastfeeding women.

Unsatisfactory hospital experience with first baby; other two were home births. Regrets stopping breastfeeding her first child to go back to work. She didn't do that again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 22 >> She received variable advice from a variety of health professionals and doubted her ability as a mother until she attended a lactation clinic for expe

Difficulty with latch-on; poor weight gain; mixed breastfeeding and bottle feeding (expressed breast milk and formula); baby on regular 6 feeds during the day.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 25 >> Meeting with other women to share experiences has been important in helping her to adapt to motherhood.

Special Care separation from 1st baby emotionally difficult. Got into cycle of engorgement, expressing, mastitis, too much milk for six months. Has not expressed for second baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 20-24 >> Interview 16 >> While she was getting support from her lactation consultant she was also getting support from the other women. She talked about why that was important

Baby in Special Care, fed expressed breast milk via tube, syringe & cup. Problems at home, slow weight gain, mixed feeding. Support from lactation consultant for five months.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 35 >> She became an advocate for breastfeeding in her area and the demand for support has grown very quickly.

Pre-eclamptic fit, caesarean section, breastfed in intensive care and later in coronary care (heart failure/post partum cardiomyopathy). Determined breastfeeder. Peer counsellor and breastfeeding programme administrator.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 46 >> She breastfed five children with ease and feels very proud of her self for becoming a peer counsellor. It gives her great pleasure to be able to help

Breastfed five children without problems, two of them in tandem for a short time. Very proud of her achievements. Breastfeeding peer supporter for her local community.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 30-34 >> Interview 01 >> She didn't want to supplement her baby and thinks that health professionals have different views about weight gain and different levels of training in

Long labour, emergency caesarean section. Cracked nipples. Baby fed constantly but failed to thrive. Discusses chiropractic sessions, supplemental bottles, early solids, and milk donation. Now enjoying breastfeeding.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 38 >> Few people in her area breastfeed because the knowledge has been lost. Support groups help but changes in formula advertising and company sponsorship

Breastfed - almost exclusively, only just beginning solid food at one year. Sleepy baby with jaundice, occasional blocked duct. Baby shares mother's bed. Support group important.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 35-39 >> Interview 51 >> Not attaching her first baby on properly led to later problems. She learned how to do it and had no problems with her other three. She says that breas

Latching-on problems with first baby leading to cracked nipples, engorgement & mastitis. Good milk supply. Joined breastfeeding support group. No problems with next three babies.

• Pregnancy & children >> Breastfeeding >> Age 25-29 >> Interview 38 >> She always took her daughter off and repositioned her if breastfeeding hurt. She wished she had observed other mothers more closely while she was preg

Breastfed - almost exclusively, only just beginning solid food at one year. Sleepy baby with jaundice, occasional blocked duct. Baby shares mother's bed. Support group important.