Shared Experience by Charmaine Sammut

I am a mother of two girls, Nicole who is now three and a half years old, and Sarah who is one year 8 months old. I breastfed Nicole till she was 15 months old and I was pregnant for the second time. I am still breastfeeding Sarah.

I never had any close relations or friends who breastfed their babies, however I was very much determined to do so myself. During my first pregnancy I read everything I could about babies. I also attended the hospital antenatal classes where the midwife strongly encouraged us to breastfeed, sustaining this with herown experience. She introduced us to the Association of Breastfeeding Counsellors who were giving a course on the topic to mothers-to-be. I followed these interesting and very helpful lectures.

When Nicole was born I initially had some problems with breastfeeding. I had had a very long labour and was exhausted. I was overwhelmed with this new experience. I was very anxious, having never even held a baby in my arms before. This newborn was also very demanding, feeding every hour or less. I started having some physical problems – sore and cracked nipples, fever and breast infection. However with the help of a breastfeeding counsellor I managed to overcome this initial stage. Breastfeeding in the right position is very important. It turned out that I was not holding the baby properly a major fact which lead to my physical distress. The support of my husband and parents was also crucial not just initially but throughout, since Nicole continued to be demanding. So I needed help with the housework and needed time to rest. At 6 months I introduced solid foods which I always prepared myself. By the time Nicole was 1 year old she started eating like us. I continued to attend a support group for breastfeeding mothers also run by the Association. And this helped me both socially and practically, for mothers gave valuable tips to each other.

My second experience turned out to be much easier. I was more confident. Now there were lesser unknowns. Nicole soon learned to feed her baby doll like mama’. She would come near me on the sofa or on bed, lift up her frock and feed her doll. In this way, Nicole got to love her new baby sister Sarah.

For me, breastfeeding is a very positive and rewarding experience. Of course, a certain amount of patience is important. Also the mother needs to have knowledge about breastfeeding – about how her body works, how to actually breastfeed….

Determination is also a necessary ingredient especially in our society where many false myths and messages about breastfeeding are presented to mothers.

There are many advantages to breastfeeding, it is very practical, breastmilk is always ready for your baby whether you’re at home, in the park, at church, anywhere. However the biggest advantage of all for me is the special mother and baby bond that is created. Through this intimacy, it is not only milk that is transmitted to the baby but the warmth, the closeness, the love. Mother and baby get to know each other more closely, they learn to enjoy each other. And this develops into a close relationship which continues to grow even after breastfeeding has stopped.

Charmaine Sammut

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