*This post is now a tad outdated as it sat in my drafts for months. I thought it had been published and no one cared for the post but it turns out I hadn’t hit publish! So here is the post about my journey breastfeeding my now 11 month old daughter*

Me and Poppet

I’m sure you all know that I have a 12 week old baby, if you don’t than you must be new around here so welcome. Anyway, what you may not know is that I am a breastfeeding mum. I am not anti-formula. I believe whatever you are comfortable doing as a mum is what is best for baby and that not everyone can breastfeed. I however can and do ~ proudly! I breastfed both my boys when they were babies however they were mix-fed from early on and shortly after were 100% formula. This was not entirely by choice but more that my supply couldn’t keep up with their very healthy appetite. B1 was approx. 8 weeks old and B2 was approx. 10 weeks old before they were no longer satisfied.

I was not discouraged when I couldn’t continue to breastfeed them, it was just not meant to be. They were being fed formula and their appetites were being fulfilled so I was content knowing that they were happy and healthy. Now as I mentioned I have a 12 week old baby girl and I am so pleased to report that I am still breastfeeding – successfully! In the first week it was touch and go as she had attachment issues and caused severe damage and bleeding to my nipples but with the help of some amazing nipple shields (*Tommee Tippee Miomee Silicone Nipple Shields*) we resolved those first initials hiccups and allowed myself time to heal while still being able to breastfeed and continue to do so. Poppet is feeding like a champion and without any further complications; I wasn’t expecting to be breastfeeding for any time in particular but used the timeline of the boys as a guide. We have however surpassed and exceeded the duration I thought I was ever destined to breastfeed for and with Hadley being so content and happy to continue; I am feeling so pleased that I am finding it hard to explain in words. I am beyond proud of myself and if I can say in all honesty I feel like I have a closer bond with her because we have accomplished this together. If I had to stop breastfeeding her tomorrow I would be able to do so knowing that we gave it everything we had and I gave her the best start to life I could. This may be my third child but I am amazed at how much you can still learn, how much more you can grow as a person and how each day you can be proud of everything you accomplish as a woman and mother.

*This post is NOT sponsored in any which way. I mentioned the nipple shields as they were an amazing help to me and recommend them to anyone who finds themselves in the same situation.

The post Breastfeeding how you’re comfortable! appeared first on All Mum Said.

Being able to bond and feel those moments of closeness with your baby is one of the most magical and memorable moments in a parents life; I have been very fortunate to have had that instant connection with all my children and I couldn’t imagine it being any other way. With each of my three babies the activities we’ve bonded over have been different but no less special than the others. My eldest son used to love his bath time – the water, the laughter, the fun and who could forget the suddy beards. The moments before bedtime were used to bond with my 2nd son, watching his eyes softly close as he embraced my comforting snuggles and my daughter who is now 10 months old while she is comparable to koala in the way that they love to cuddle around everything, we have been fortunate enough to be able to bond over feeding. My boys only breastfed for 3 months so I felt we never really had a chance to bond fully over that particular experience whereas Poppet was fully breastfed (plus solids) until approx. 8 months and still has night feeds of breast milk now which I believe has allowed us to experience that closeness that mums often talk about.

While not every parent is able to connect instantly with their babies, it should be known that that bond come often grow from these moments of closeness. You don’t have to breastfeed to bond with your baby. You don’t have to have actually grown your baby to have a special bond. YOU are SPECIAL and you ARE the world to your baby, that in itself is a bond to be cherished.

Moments of closeness freebies & giveaway

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