"Expert advice and encouragement"

After I had my first baby I noticed they weren't latching and they lost weight and weren't alert. We were recommended to start bottle feeding and this improved the situation. I thought I had a low supply because I lost blood during delivery and that was why my baby wasn't latching. I discussed this with the midwives and they agreed and said my supply could be the problem, and not everyone can breastfeed. The health visitor also only focused on how much formula my baby was taking and their weight gain. I kept trying to latch my baby but had no success and they pinched me really hard and I had shooting pain up my breast and a small lump, so I started to pump so I could see my supply more clearly. I didn't pump enough and got mastitis. The doctor insisted I went to a breastfeeding clinic for support. I hadn't been yet as my baby was born over Christmas so I was waiting for new year when I had healed more and the clinics were open again.

I went to the clinic and explained I couldn't get my baby to latch. The lady listened really well to my story and asked how my baby was taking the bottle. No one had asked me this! I said he dribbled, hiccuped, was windy and he struggled with it. She explained he could have a tongue tie and gave me the details for a referral. I did it that day. After the phone consultation and appointment it turned out my baby had a strong tongue tie and couldn't move his tongue back and forth at all. The breastfeeding group then supported me with starting my breastfeeding journey again. I slowly started introducing breastfeeding alongside bottle feeding and within 1 month my baby was off bottles completely and only breastfeeding! I had issues with blocked ducts and latching along the way as my baby latched too forcefully, probably a bad habit picked up when they had the tongue tie. Attending the breastfeeding clinic every week helped me persevere through painful times and kept me motivated to keep going. My baby is nearly 11 months old and still breastfeeding and I am so grateful for the expert advice and encouragement I have had.