Rachel's Story

I would like to thank La Leche League for the support I’ve received since beginning to breastfeed my son. Never in a million years would I have expected to still be feeding my milk to my toddler at 2 and a half. It’s been an incredible journey and one where I’ve had very little trouble but a lot of successes along the way.

The first few weeks were hard, probably harder than I ever admitted mostly due to exhaustion but they passed. A few quick pains when the feed would start in those weeks became a distant memory. Nipple balm was used there more than I ever have used something on my lips. I was keen to be successful which we have been. And the incredible faces & babies from meetings with La Leche League every few weeks were amazing. Hearing & seeing others have the same complaints and happiness's made it special & gave me a better understanding of what my journey was for. I have also gained an incredible friend who I see regularly that I would have never met if not for these meetings.

It hasn’t all been easy and again I didn’t complain much but reached out in the La Leche League WhatsApp group to ask lots of questions. Someone had been through the same or had words of advice. I’ve had my share of blocked ducts and painful feeds but throughout have persevered and fed each and every day. I’ve been lucky to never have had mastitis. The haakaa became my friend during tough times and a lot of my son feeding as much as he could.

It’s not easy every day but every day adds up to an incredible feat for both mother & son. It’s not something everyone can give their baby and that’s ok too, sometimes breastfeeding just doesn’t work. I would like to wish others well on their journey, those starting out, somewhere in the middle or nearing the end and encourage you to reach out on the tough days because the support of women who get it will help you through.

I remember looking at my app where I recorded feeding around the 10 months mark I was still feeding about 12-16 times a day. Life was busy but I also would go out and feed as and when needed no matter where I was. I followed the rule of feed on demand from the beginning. It was one of the earliest tips from an La Leche League online meeting when I was still pregnant.

My son and I have enjoyed the majority of this journey. Bottles of expressed milk never really worked even though we tried from time to time but I was ok with that. We stopped feeds during the night at 16 months, we reduced the feed by a minute or two each night over a number of months until it because none. The gradual reduction meant no heartache for either of us. We continued during the day & eventually fed on a more regular timeframe to breastfeed 3 times, morning, late afternoon & bedtime when I returned to work. The late afternoon feed continued for quite awhile as it was the first thing he’d ask for after crèche. At age 20 months I began to slowly reduce the morning feed and eventually 7 months later dropped that to leave us with our continuing evening feed going to bed. My son has his own name for my milk which is really sweet. He and I continue to enjoy our time at night when we sit down together.

Thank you again La Leche League for your continued support.