"Breastfeeding Support for my first baby"

I gave birth to my first baby in mid-December just as Scotland was going into lockdown again. I had spent a long time preparing for labour and birth but I was completely unprepared for breastfeeding. At the beginning we really struggled to make it work and once we got home from the hospital I felt so lost and as if I was failing at being a mum by not being able to breastfeed my baby. The breastfeeding support team got in touch on the day I was discharged and came to visit us to help us. They continued to visit us for weeks until I felt comfortable with feeding. They spotted I had developed mastitis and helped me get help. They also offered a compassionate ear when human contact was at a premium. Their support helped me not only continue breastfeeding my daughter but also helped with my mental health in general at a difficult time. 

I strongly believe that breastfeeding should be something every woman should have the choice of doing if they want to but it is not always possible without the help of professionals especially at the beginning. Having this service available is most definitely the reason why I was able to continue breastfeeding and feel comfortable doing it in the months to come.