08/08/2026
Even though World Breastfeeding Week has now come to an end, we still have some wonderful feeding journeys that have been sent in, and we wanted to share them with you.
Thank you Jade for taking the time to share your journey with us 💜
Here is Jade & Islas feeding journey
In January 2024, I gave birth to my beautiful little girl, Isla. After a long but lovely natural labour, the moment she was placed on my chest, I felt completely whole. It was the most incredible feeling, and one I’ll treasure forever.
After spending some precious time together, it was time for our first feed. I remember feeling nervous and wondering whether I’d be able to do it properly, but with the kindness and support of the Infant Feeding Team, I was able to begin our breastfeeding journey.
We stayed in hospital for a couple of days to establish feeding and make sure everything was going well before heading home.
Isla developed jaundice after she was born. It was closely monitored throughout our stay in hospital and once we got home too. Thankfully, it never required any treatment.
Once we got home, things initially seemed to be going smoothly, but after about a week, I became very engorged and feeding became incredibly painful. The night before my health visitor came to see us had been particularly difficult. Isla was struggling to latch, we were both exhausted, and it felt as though frustration had taken over because we were both so tired.
My health visitor referred us back to the Infant Feeding Team, who took the time to work with us and quickly discovered that Isla had a tongue-tie. During the same period, I also visited my GP because one of my breasts had become red, swollen and extremely painful. I was diagnosed with mastitis and started treatment.
While I recovered, Isla was fed with bottles because I simply couldn’t bear the pain of breastfeeding. Before long, the day came for her tongue-tie procedure. It was successful, and although I left the appointment feeling relieved, I was also anxious about breastfeeding again.
Once again, the Infant Feeding Team were there to support me. They patiently helped us get back to breastfeeding, and before long, we were enjoying our feeding journey once more.
I was also so proud that, despite our early feeding challenges, Isla maintained her birth weight. The community midwife I saw for her checks was very impressed! 🙈
Throughout our journey, I experienced mastitis and severe engorgement more than once, but with the right treatment, support and determination, we always found our way through.
Breastfeeding became such a special part of our lives. We fed in the comfort of our home, on a cruise ship in the middle of the sea, and while travelling through Spain, Portugal and France. We fed in cafés, restaurants and so many other places.
As Isla became more curious about the world, there were times when she’d stop halfway through a feed to see what was going on around her! I often had to find a quieter spot so she could concentrate long enough to finish her milk… and to save my modesty! 😅
Our breastfeeding journey certainly wasn’t easy. It took hard work in the beginning, and there were challenges along the way.
During the days of endless cluster feeding, teething and colds, I often wondered if I had the strength to keep going. I felt exhausted, emotional and overwhelmed at times, but I had set myself the goal of reaching at least one year.
I’m incredibly proud to say that we made it to 26 months. In the end, Isla decided she was ready to stop feeding on her own. I was surprisingly emotional because I truly loved the closeness that breastfeeding gave us, but that bond hasn’t disappeared. It’s simply been replaced with even more cuddles.
Looking back, I’m so grateful for every member of the Infant Feeding Team and all of the wonderful midwives who supported us. Their encouragement, knowledge and kindness helped us through the hardest moments, and because of them, I was able to have the breastfeeding journey I’d always hoped for.
I’ll always be thankful. ❤️
