Neasa's Story

My name is Neasa. My little girl was born unexpectedly at 32 weeks. Thankfully, due to the amazing staff in the Rotunda I have the opportunity to start and continue my breastfeeding journey despite this. Emma was transferred to the NICU within minutes of being born, and I was asked what my feeding choice was.
I was helped to get the  colostrum while in recovery, and this was brought to Emma to help her in the first vital few hours. I was encouraged and supported while Emma was in the NICU to express, by hand for the first few days before introducing the pump, so that she could receive my milk. As she was so small and her lungs were not yet developed she was unable to feed at the breast in the first few weeks.

When she was strong enough, I was able to have a lot of tummy time and skin to skin during feeding time once she came out of the incubator. It really helped with my milk production and I was able to express at the bedside when she was not strong enough to be out with me in my arms, or when Dad wanted a hold of the tubes while she was feeding.

As Emma got stronger, I was able to try introduce the breast. This was a long slow journey as we needed to be sure of her exact intake and so initially bottles were essential. Emma needed to take all of her feeds via bottle before discharge with the breast as top up/comfort only and at this point, I was not successful at getting Emma to feed for any great length at the breast. She really struggled with the latch, as it was so different to a bottle and there was risk of confusion. We were really concerned about weight gain I needed to fortify her milk, so bottles were essential at this stage.

Up until this point, I was expressing every three hours, add the guilt I had if I overslept by even an hour was unreal. I was travelling in and out of the Rotunda every day for five weeks, worrying if I got stuck in traffic and if I was late with the next express. Now it seems so silly. If only I knew then what I knew now and could see how well Emma is doing.

Despite my struggles, getting Emma to latch while in the Rotunda, I continued to try at home. Through LLL I was introduced to the wonderful world of nipple shields, and these were the makings of my continued breastfeeding journey. Emma was on three hourly bottle feeds (EBM), and I offered the breast at each feed. I was also expressing every three hours also. This part of my journey was exhausting, and trying at times, I continued to link with LLL via their WattsApp group  - Blanchardstown/Castleknock initially just to vent about how tired I was. However, I learned that I was not alone, and this made me feel like I was not alone and I was doing a great job for my little girl. I have learned so much through this group and wouldn’t be without their continued support. The words of encouragement from all the mums and LLL leaders really have guided me on my journey especially at 3 am when the rest of the world seems to be asleep. The encouragement and praise I received was such a boost when it got hard.

When we got home from hospital, I was able to gradually reduce the number of bottles she was receiving and feed more at the breast which ultimately reduced the amount of time expressing. Despite my perseverance and Emma, trying so hard, she found it too difficult to get a good latch without nipple shields. Her milk transfer with them was great and she was continuing to gradually gain weight. I was able to stop the fortifier which meant no need for any more bottles, and Emma decided she was happy to feed at the breast full-time .

And just like that, 11 months in, Emma continues to successfully feed at the breast. A far cry from a fully bottle-fed baby at five weeks. She is my little superstar