One Irish woman’s very honest tale of making it to six months breastfeeding

In HerFamily reader, Claire Murphy's own words:

"Today I made it to silver boobies, yup there's awards for these things now, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. I remember before I had my baby seeing posts of how women were breastfeeding and how proud they were and I kind of just didn't get it, and how could I?

I had no idea what breastfeeding was going to be like. I fell pregnant and said 'oh I'll try for a few weeks anyway' then as I got further along in my pregnancy it turned more into an 'I'll try' to a 'I really hope I can breastfeed' I mean what's with that? Why can't we just trust our bodies to be enough? So August 6th after an awful labour my little lady was born, I tried that breastfeeding crawl thing everyone talks about, and of course, she over shot the run away and began sucking on my neck, so I thought 'well she ain't a natural at this.'

The first latch I was so uncertain, was anything even coming out? Then a lovely midwife showed me how to hand express a bit onto my nipple and there it was, the liquid gold everyone talked about, and I was so happy I almost cried (for the 10th time that morning!) I was so proud of that liquid gold when my husband came in after his nap, labours tough on the men hahaha, I couldn't wait to show him my new trick.

Don't get me wrong, breastfeeding is tough, it's exhausting, it's a lot on any woman, but I had an amazing friend who wrote to me after my baby was born. I'm not even sure she realises this but I clung to her words 'Just wait until she smiles up at you for the first time when she's feeding in a few weeks I cried so much with joy so those first few weeks, where my milk was getting established, I was engorged and the only way I could settle my girl was with the boob, I clung to those words and she was right.

It's a moment I will never forget, on the Dart, of all places, from Malahide to Tara street, my little beauty unlatched, looked up to me with those beautiful eyes and smiled. It was the most beautiful smile, so full of love and thanks for what I was able to give to her, and I knew then it was all so worth it. We've made it to six months exclusively breastfeeding, and I cannot wait to see how long she lets us continue this journey for."

Thanks to Claire for sharing her brave journey. Let us know how you got on with breastfeeding in the comments below.