Well today our little girl turned ONE!!!!! And that means......... we've been breastfeeding for 12 MONTHS !!!!!
We had numerous problems in the first 4mths..... DD was born with a weak suck which took weeks to correct and for her to learn how to coordinate sucking with swallowing and breathing, we had attachment problems that led to VERY cracked bleeding nipples for weeks and one was so bad I had to express only from it for about 5 days, vasospasm of the nipple from the nipple damage, we struggled with DD's very low weight gains for the first 4mths with sometimes her losing weight and it took DD 5 weeks to gain her birth weight, I had to express 3hrly round the clock some days and feed her top ups (EBM & formula), we dealt with breast refusal on and off, thrush of the nipple, low milk supply on and off due to her weak sucking and poor attachment for weeks..... so my milk was up and down up and down until 4mths when it FINALLY established itself.
I have a thread in the BF support section dated in Feb.... I should find it. oh here it is https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ng-mother.html
I needed the help of a Lactation Consultant to come to our house every 2-3 days at one stage to help weigh DD and to give us a plan as to how to feed DD..... I needed that specialised care to continue BF'ing and it was so worth the money spent.
I am so proud of myself for being so determined and working so hard to be able to give my DD the best start in life, I am so proud of my DD for putting up with my strong perseverance and being ever so patient with Mummy who was adamant that I was not going to give up even though I had MANY days full of tears saying "I don't know if I can handle this any longer". But I took each day at a time, I then found myself taking weeks at a time..... and then months! I soon found myself leaving the house without having to bring with me a bottle of EBM or formula in my nappy bag incase DD refused the breast or incase I didn't have enough milk supply (it was up and down so much)..... to finally be able to exclusively BF my baby girl once again, was the BEST feeling in the world....... I had overcome the vicious cycle of feeding we were in and I DID it!!!!!!!!
I hope my story can inspire others to continue breastfeeding.... even with a bumpy start that many mothers encounter.... with lots of persistence, confidence, support around you (including those lovely girls in the BF thread THANK YOU you know who you are)..... it CAN be done.
This is my story - thank you for reading it. It is a story that is so close to my heart.... I really honestly struggled to feed my little girl for so many weeks and to be where we are today.... its incredible. What a wonderful feeling. I have tears!!!! (that's not like me!!!)
I am now training with the ABA to become a Breastfeeding Counsellor in the hope I can help other Mum's to BF their babies and to overcome problems they encounter like I did!
Happy Birthday baby girl..... well done on making it to 12mths BF with Mummy. I love you and look forward to many more weeks/months if you are happy to continue.
Yay I remember your thread well as think we were posting concurrently at the time and am so happy things worked out for you and your DD. You have much to be proud of, well done!!
Wow Shanti, I can't believe it's been a year! Well done and congratulations hun. This is a very special milestone and I am so thrilled that you made it. You are an inspiration hun, and you are going to be an awesome counsellor.
Well done Shanti and your beautiful DD! I think you are amazing - you are one of my 'breastfeeding heroes' I read your 'problem' thread when DS and I were starting out and had problems and some of the advice you were given really helped me.
You should be so proud! If you can overcome those obstacles, you can do anything girl!
Congratulations Shanti! I myself went through similar struggles with DS as you know and thus totally understand the effort and emotion you went through. Well done hun, you are very, very inspiring!!! You should be so proud!!
Congrats on giving wonderful start for your baby, well done to both of you and happy bday of course to your DD. It so nice to read about people having positive BF experiences even when the start is not so great, i'm sure it gives other people hope when then read it
Congratulations, Shanti! I've been thinking about your 12 months coming up recently and what an amazing and proud moment it would be for you, hun. So very happy for where your journey is now, and proud of all that you went through to get where you are now.
Congratulations again, and a very big happy birthday to your little girl. I hope she and you had a wonderful day.
We made it!!! 12 months breastfeeding!!!
And that means......... we've been breastfeeding for 12 MONTHS !!!!!
and it took DD 5 weeks to gain her birth weight, I had to express 3hrly round the clock some days and feed her top ups (EBM & formula), we dealt with breast refusal on and off, thrush of the nipple, low milk supply on and off due to her weak sucking and poor attachment for weeks..... so my milk was up and down up and down until 4mths when it FINALLY established itself.
you know who you are)..... it CAN be done.
What a wonderful feeling. I have tears!!!! (that's not like me!!!)
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A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your gorgeous DD. 
I read your 'problem' thread when DS and I were starting out and had problems and some of the advice you were given really helped me. 
congragulations and I am sure you will make a great counsellor
to your gorgeous daughter!
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