At the moment, it’s world breastfeeding week.
And certainly, there are plenty of women who would sing the virtues – for them and for the baby – of breastfeeding.
But we also know that life is rarely straightforward, not least when there is a newborn involved.
Which is why at HerFamily, we always encourage new mums to breastfeed (not least because when it works it’s fantastic) but also we like to remind everyone that it’s not a big deal if you stop.
It’s a sentiment that 2fm’s Louise McSharry put perfectly in an Insta post that she shared on Thursday evening.
Alongside a snap of her and her son, Sam, who was born in October 2016, she wrote:
“This is the first photo ever taken of me and Sam, two days after he was born, in the neo-natal unit. This was the first time I got to hold him too, due to minor complications which required him to have increased oxygen.”
She continued: “A couple of minutes after this photo was taken I tried to breastfeed for the first time, having woken myself up every two hours during the previous two nights to milk myself to ensure my milk would come in. It didn’t happen.”
The radio DJ, who is married to Gorden Spierin, added that “midwives tried to help. Lactation consultants. Nipple shields. I was really committed to breastfeeding.
“So committed that it took me six weeks of abject misery to accept that it was ruining my time with Sam. So I pumped. For months, I pumped. And eventually I gave him formula.”
She admits that almost two years later, she still finds it difficult to see women breastfeeding. Not only that, but World Breastfeeding Week also “brings up all of my guilt, regret, and sadness around the subject”.
However, Louise is resolute: “I wish it had been different BUT I also know that I did my absolute best and made the right decision for my family when it came down to it.
“Should you find yourself feeling sorrow or guilt this week, you’re not alone, but you don’t deserve it either.
“Sam is a beautiful, healthy boy, and we have both done our absolute best over the last 22 months, and I’m sure you’ve done the same with your little one. Tbh, I think we’re heroes for just getting through each passing day.”
We adore Louise’s message and think that this week and every week, it’s something to keep in mind. As she says, we’re all heroes!
