Episode 8: Navigating the ups and downs of breastfeeding: Dannii’s feeding journey

In this episode of the Nourishing Birth and Beyond podcast, I talk with Dannii, a former client, about her challenging breastfeeding journey. Dannii shares her experiences with unexpected difficulties following a cesarean birth, including issues with latching, pain, and societal pressures to breastfeed. She emphasizes the importance of expert support from a lactation consultant, which was pivotal in overcoming these challenges and achieving an empowered breastfeeding experience. Our discussion also touches on the emotional aspects of parenting, the impact of societal expectations, and the significance of trusting one’s intuition.

In this episode of the podcast we talk about:

  • Dannii discusses her initial expectations versus the reality of breastfeeding, highlighting the unexpected challenges she faced after a cesarean section.
  • She describes the physical and emotional difficulties, including pain, latching issues, and societal pressures to succeed in breastfeeding.
  • The pivotal role of a lactation consultant is emphasized, providing personalized support and guidance that was lacking in standard healthcare services.
  • Dannii reflects on the emotional journey of parenting, the importance of trusting her intuition, and the societal expectations that can impact new parents.
  • The episode underscores the value of expert support and the personal growth that comes from navigating the complexities of early parenthood.

Sound bites from this episode:

“The joy definitely gets me through the no sleep.”

“I had this real attachment to ‘I want to be able to breastfeed my baby.’ And I looked into it, I did research, I watched videos, I read books, I came to your classes and I talked to friends who had breastfed. So I felt like I kind of understood it.”

“It was having someone who has confidence, who had the expertise, who had the knowledge, who had the time, and that way of giving you that information and then helping to make the choice that’s right for you that really made the difference for us.”

“You had these expectations, you know, and you’ve got to just let them go in a sense and do what’s right for you at that time. That’s all that you can do and not worry about the external noise.”

“Getting that support early, that’s what makes the difference.”

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