Claire Elcock ABM BFC

I come from a family where breastfeeding is the normal way to feed babies. My Mum fed both me and my brother and her mother fed all five of her children so when I was pregnant with George there was no doubt in my mind that I would breastfeed. After George was born I spent three nights in hospital which meant that I was lucky to meet the local breastfeeding specialist midwife. Under her guidance I fed George and true to her word I never suffered from cracked or sore nipples. My abundant milk supply and fast let down meant that when George was a small baby I often drowned him with the fast flow of milk!

Toby was also easy to feed. Once more though I had a baby who suffered terribly from wind / colic and a trip to the cranial osteopath did little to improve things. Having ruled out reflux we finally discovered that Toby had a cows milk protein allergy when he was 6 months old.

I have loved feeding both of my boys – especially the closeness that it gives us. It really didn’t worry me that no one else can feed them – in fact I rather liked that. My husband didn’t ever feel left out – he always did the nappy changes in the night between boobs! When George was born I had in my mind that I wanted to feed him for a year. In the end I fed him for 10.5 months and then he self weaned and decided that he had had enough. Cue tears from me for the loss of that part of his babyhood but after a glass of wine and some chocolate I was able to rejoice that he had made the decision to stop himself and then to take delight in the next stage in his life. I fed Toby for 21 months and this time weaning was instigated by me as I had simply had enough by this time.

Most of the women I speak to who have started to breast feed and then stopped say that they could not overcome problems that they have had. I believe that if these women were offered support and guidance then many more would be able to feed for as long as they wish to. Being a breastfeeding counsellor I feel that even if I help just a small number of these women I can make sure that more babies and women can benefit from breastfeeding. Hopefully some of these women will also go on to find breastfeeding as enjoyable as I did and be able to pass their knowledge onto their daughters.