WBFW: Kate's Story - Her Breastfeeding, Pumping and Tube Feeding Journey

WBFW: Kate's Story - Her Breastfeeding, Pumping and Tube Feeding Journey

World Breastfeeding Week 2022

Kate's Story:
Her breastfeeding, pumping and tube feeding journey



I have three beautiful children and have had three different breastfeeding journeys because every baby is different.





My first journey got off to a rocky start after a very long labour and emergency C-section delayed my milk coming in for 5 days. Damaged nipples from a poor latch and a very hungry babe made for a very hard start. As the weeks went on we found our way and I exclusively breastfed Emily mostly at the breast for 16mths before weaning. Emily was and still is a petite little girl and weight concerns were always at the back of my mind as she sat very low on the growth charts. In hindsight, I now know she was just following her own curve.


My second journey started off much more easily. An easier labour, birth and recovery helped my milk arrive with gusto on day 2 and once we got through those early latching issues Matilda and I found our feeding rhythm. Matilda unfortunately started projectile vomiting at 2-3weeks of age and after some trial and error we found out she had a dairy allergy. With the removal of dairy from my diet she improved dramatically and I then fed her until she was 2yrs old, remaining dairy free for that time. I was much more relaxed the second time around. I had more confidence and of course was a Moolk Mumma which made feeding anywhere anytime so much easier this time.


My third journey has been very different again. Charlie was born in May 2021 and spent 5 weeks in NICU after a rocky start. Charlie has Down Syndrome and has been fed via a tube since birth. Attempts to both direct feed and bottle feed were unsuccessful despite so much support for us both. I started expressing in the NICU with high hopes of direct feeding eventually but as time went on, it was clear that Charlie needed his tube long term. I made peace with exclusively expressing for him for as long as I could.


 



I expressed for 13months, through 3 rounds of mastitis, dairy intolerance (not as severe as his sister thankfully), 3 hospital admissions for Charlie and being a mum to three young children. It was not easy, physically or mentally, but it was worth it.  I am so thankful that I was able to pump enough for Charlie to be fed breastmilk until 14mths of age and even donate another 40 litres to local mums and bubs who needed the extra help.  Charlie is still fully reliant on his tube and is now receiving formula.



I'm so grateful to Kate for sharing her beautifully unique breastfeeding journey with us and for the gorgeous photos of Charlie and her family. From all of us here at Moolk, thank you endlessly for your vulnerability and helping raise awareness for World Breastfeeding Week 2022.

If you'd like to follow Kate and Charlie's journey, you can follow them on Instagram.