"Lucky to have this breastfeeding support"

I had my baby girl in July 2023 and although I have two older children this was my first experience of breastfeeding.

I was on the early discharge pathway from the MLU at the Victoria Hospital and the midwife referred me to the breastfeeding support service. I had never been supported by this service before nor heard much about them. 

Our first night home from hospital was a tough and painful breastfeeding experience. The next morning a breast feeding support worker called me to ask how I was getting on. When I explained I had a tough night they offered to come out that day for some support. And they did just that!

A support worker came to my home and showed me tips with position and attachment and comfy feeding positions for night so we could sleep and it helped massively. Our feeding journey is now coming to an end after eight whole months!

Throughout this time if I had any worries, hard days or health issues in regards to breastfeeding I picked up the phone and called breastfeeding support and they were there the same day with an empathetic ear, kindness, nourishment and empowerment. They give realistic, patient focused advice that undoubtedly assisted me to breastfeed for so long.

Imagine being at a really vulnerable point of your life, isolated, scared and being able to pick up the phone and be heard and supported by a knowledgeable professional for free. We are so lucky to have access to these wonderful people, mothers themselves, and the most underrated service in the NHS.

Thank you so, so much for absolutely everything. You made my journey feel so normal and manageable.