After taking a lengthy career break, I took upon a voluntary role as an online breastfeeding support volunteer with Barnardos. It was the perfect opportunity for me to support new mums who were navigating their individual breastfeeding journeys and to share my experience of breastfeeding my three children with others.

From personal experience, I failed to breastfeed my first child due to a tongue tie and not knowing how to initiate milk production. With my second, I encountered the same issues, however this time round I managed to reach out to the infant feeding team at the hospital where I gave birth. Finally with my third, I found she latched on and fed like a dream right from birth! I was super shocked to have such a pleasant experience… until I reached home and realised my almost 2-year-old wanted to feed again too which led to a tandem feeding journey for the first few weeks!

It is important to understand that every mother goes on their own breastfeeding journey or may not breastfeed at all. Islamically it is encouraged to feed the baby if you’re able to do so for up to 2 years as mentioned in Surah Baqarah V.233, however remember that what works best for you is most important, especially when it can be a difficult and daunting experience for many women, particularly for the first 6 weeks when both the mum and baby are learning how to feed/be fed. There is so much pressure on mums to succeed at breastfeeding, so I have collated a short list of tips which I hope will be useful for new mums in supporting and enabling a positive breastfeeding experience.

· Be sure to attend antenatal classes and learn about breastfeeding and its benefits before baby's birth

· Have lots of skin to skin contact in the first few days post birth and nutrient rich foods to encourage milk production

· Be aware that breastfeeding will take up a lot of time which is totally normal. Where bottle-fed babies are encouraged to feed every 2 hours, a breastfed baby can feed without a schedule and on demand as they will rely on mum to provide that source of comfort for them

· Initial days of baby's arrival will be followed by visits from loved ones wanting to meet baby. Make guests aware you are breastfeeding and may not be able to sit for long periods with them depending on your delivery and post birth recovery

· Be sure to involve dad in all matters as a successful breastfeeding journey will require support from your partner

· Take any help and support offered with tasks in the home

· As nursing becomes more natural and easier for you, be confident in knowing you can breastfeed anywhere! Keep a breastfeeding cover/shawl handy when out and about. Breastfeeding tops/dresses are more readily available now, however a vest under your clothes can work just as well - one top up and the other top down!

· Reach out for support from your inner circle and from health professionals. Your midwife, infant feeding team, health visitor and GP can all offer guidance - there is no shame in asking for help with latching and feeding baby.

· Trust your body to produce enough milk for your growing baby - it is truly amazing subhanAllah! Milk production is all about supply and demand - the more your baby latches on to feed, the more milk you will naturally produce.

Just remember, however you choose to feed baby is not a reflection of your worth as a mother - you are most definitely not a bad mum or a failure if you have not been able to breastfeed your baby! Whether you are breastfeeding for a few weeks or two years, feeding exclusively or mixed feeding with formula top ups, you are doing amazing in taking on your journey. 

I would also highly recommend other mums to become breastfeeding volunteers within their respective communities and local organisations in order to offer support to new mums. If not possible to volunteer, then to initiate conversations around breastfeeding and to share positive breastfeeding experiences with those around you.

Please also have a look at the following links for further in-depth information and support:

https://families.barnardos.org.uk/babys-first-year/breastfeeding

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/

https://bhamforwardsteps.co.uk/community-breastfeeding-support/