"Both Experiences were Completely Different: Breastfeeding Babies 10 Years Apart"

A breastmilk story by Shamim, big sister Parveen and baby Zain

Both times I felt I was completely new to the process: I thought I would share my experience on breastfeeding. My son Zain came along almost 10 years after my daughter. Both experiences were completely different. Both times I felt I was completely new to the process. What was wonderful was the amount of information and support out there.

Going back to work and expressing: My first time round I was back to work much later and only part time. The second time round I was working full time and expressing. Expressing the first time round felt impossible. But the second time round was so much easier with the variety of pumps on offer or maybe I was just better informed with the wealth of information out there. I was lucky enough to have a wellness room at work and a break in my schedule in the day to pump. I can’t say it was easy, but I can say it was worth it.

The value of a doctor's encouragement: I remember a doctor once telling me that breastfeeding reduces the chance of ischemic heart disease in your child once they’re in their 50s. This fact literally blew my mind; that something done so early on in a baby’s life could make such a lifelong impact.

Breastfeeding in public I remember once getting my hair cut and my son was with me at 2 months old and decided he wanted a feed. So off he popped under the hairdressing gown. The beauty of breastfeeding being that you are ready to go anywhere! I remember another time where I was at the park and felt shy about breastfeeding even with my shawl. I looked around and saw about 4 other mums breastfeeding. It was the confidence boost I needed to know I wasn’t alone. I’m seeing breastfeeding becoming more and more prominent with politicians feeding their babies in parliament seeming like an every day experience.

Zain is now 11 months and we are still breastfeeding!

Shamim x

Have you breastfed more than one child? How were your experiences different? How has your experience of going back to work while breastfeeding been? And what about breastfeeding in public?

Amy x

Amy is a former midwife, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, a licensed BabyCalm and ToddlerCalm consultant, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, co-founder of Love Parenting UAE, and a passionate advocate for mothers, babies and breastmilk.