This is really lovely so I thought i would share my story....

I gave birth nearly 3 months ago and we have BF exclusively since. I gave birth via C/S after 36hrs labour. I had wanted to BF very badly so I did quite alot of preparation. I went to a BFing preparation class and joined the ABA. Watched a bunch of BFing video's by Sue Cox on baby lead attatchment and decided that that was the way to go. So after the C/S which was not what I planned, I was determined that I would do it my way. I had skin to skin contact in theatre, and had baby with me my entire stay in recovery. I put Jemima on my chest and watched her work. She was very alert and actively looked for the breast. I let her do her thing and about 20mins later she opened her mouth very wide and latched on perfectly!!! Yay for my baby. They sent me back to the ward and I didn't let them separate us for a min. One of the MW's kept asking me if I would like her to be dressed. I kept saying "no that's fine, we are having skin to skin". She did get a slight temp of .2 above normal, but I gave the MW a hard stare and commented on how very little above normal that was and that she had my permission to continue monitoring it whilst my baby stayed with me!

We went home 24hrs after the C/S and never looked back. My milk came in on day 3 i think, and I had a few weeks of that toe curling feeling when she first latched on but it was easy for me otherwise. I got a bout of mastitis/blocked duct and had to have antibiotics at about 5weeks, but that cleared up and we just nursed thru it. I did cry tho, because it was so awful. I had a temp of 40degrees. Maybe my DD knew that I don't know, maybe it is instinct for them, but she latched on for 5hrs and refused to come off the breast. one 1/2hr break in the middle was all the break she would allow. She really drained that breast and I think it helped me recover. I got better quickly but it was hard to support a baby when you have a 40degree temp but i did it and I'm proud. That's what being a mum is about isn't it? Keeping going when your kids need you no matter what?

Since then we have gone great guns. I do what feels right and feed on demand. Have had lots of support from my sister and DH and the women around me.

Bella