World Breastfeeding Week; My Husband is My Biggest Fan

Thanks for hopping over from Positive About BF and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 6 The People Behind The Breastfeeder; sponsors today include ARDO Breastpumps who are giving away a Calypso Single Breastpump, Breastvest who are offering an essential breastvest duo (1x black and 1x white) in your size and Mother Loves Cookies who are providing a box of delicious lactation cookies for our Grand Prize winner. Over £700 worth of goodies are up for grabs entries via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

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Breastfeeding is said to be 10% milk and 90% determination. A sentiment I agree with. But of that 90% determination you need to have 100% support from those around you to help make your life a little easier.

Breastfeeding Quote

When I was pregnant my husband came to all the classes with me. Held my hand as we were shown how many people were in the room for a section and told that they could get a baby out in 7 minutes but it was so rare to perform a category one section to not worry about it. Picked up the knitted boobs in bewilderment and watched in amazement with me that NCT video where the baby is born, roots, bounces himself up his mother and self latches. You know the one they show you and you think it’s all going to be easy?

We were going to have that baby. The easy one. (We didn’t)

So after the, very rare, so rare you don’t need to worry about it, category one section where my husband was terrified of losing us both we were both a little lost when this small mewling child was presented to us.

Well I say presented, that small mewling child was latched onto me by a lovely midwife called Doris. And he proceeded to stay there for the next hour with my husband looking on bewildered and amazed at the fact we had a son.

Our first feed
Our first feed

It was my husband who stayed from the minute visiting opened (except the first day when he overslept and compensated by bringing me Costa and cake) until the minute he was turfed out. Who helped encourage me to hand express and fill syringes with that beautiful yellow colostrum. Who then allowed me chance to rest and recover while he fed the syringed colostrum to our tiny defenceless baby. Who held him close for skin to skin and who carefully placed him on me so I could also have that precious skin to skin time.

In the hospital after the Toddler was born
In the hospital after the Toddler was born

It was my husband who encouraged me to call the midwife in the hospital to help me latch the baby on.

It was my husband who carefully drove us home still supporting our decision to breastfeed.

It was my husband who helped me try to latch the baby when my milk came in.

It was my husband who held my hand as I cried and thought I couldn’t do it.

It was my husband who helped me ring the National Support line, who if I’m honest, didn’t actually help me. The sobbing wreck on the end of the phone who heaved out the words

How. Do. I. Get. The. Baby. To. Latch

Between sobs.

It was my husband who took matters into his own hands and headed to Boots to buy me a breastpump so I could express and feed via a bottle if that was going to be easier for me.

It was my husband who walked back in to find the baby had actually latched and was congratulatory to his sobbing wife.

Enjoying skin to skin (with a plate of Brie!)
Enjoying skin to skin (with a plate of Brie!)

It’s been my husband who has been my biggest supporter. Who has always been there with a loving word. A hand squeeze. A well done.

I asked my husband why he was so supportive of me breastfeeding and he told me this

I am of the opinion that the child will end up the same regardless of breast or formula fed but I am supportive on that what you think is best for our children is what’s right for us as a family and I will support you 110% on this. And I don’t like night feeds so that’s a bonus.

HASHTAG-plusitscheaper

(My husband doesn’t “do” hashtags)

My husband is my biggest fan and my biggest supporter. In breastfeeding. In parenting. In life. And I cannot thank him enough.

For more on the people behind the breastfeeder please hop on over Diary of an Unexpectant Mother’s post “So many people helped me to breastfeed” where you can also gain further entries into the grand prize draw. Full terms and conditions can be found on the Keeping Britain Breastfeeding website. UK residents only.

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25 Comments

  1. August 6, 2015 / 10:29 am

    Gorgeous! R was my rock too. He did everything for me, I swear it must have been like he gained 2 children for the first month of Oliver’s life and Oliver was probably easier! Lol

    • Laura
      Author
      August 7, 2015 / 11:20 am

      Haha 2 children is it EXACTLY! And when we did have our second my poor husband dealt with all 3 of us x

  2. August 6, 2015 / 5:41 pm

    Aw this is a really lovely post and tribute to your husband, my husband was really supportive too it means a lot to have someone there encouraging you and making you feel better even like you say with just touch when there are no words. Big hugs to you all x x

    • Laura
      Author
      August 7, 2015 / 11:19 am

      Thanks Sadie, it’s so true without someone propping you up from behind its so much harder. Still possible but harder! X

  3. August 6, 2015 / 7:11 pm

    This is such a lovely post made me cry. I struggled with breast feeding my baby couldn’t match as a result of my nipples so had to use shields an then he was never satisfied on my milk so we had to switch to formula after a month but my husband too was supportive an went and got me a breast pump too. I will def try BF again if I have another baby

    • Laura
      Author
      August 6, 2015 / 9:08 pm

      Thanks Sam. I love how our husband’s are so perceptive and helpful on what we need. Sometimes even before we know it ourselves. A happy mum is the end game in everything formula, breast or combi fed. Fed is the optimum word xx

  4. kim neville
    August 6, 2015 / 8:56 pm

    My partner is so supportive

  5. gemma clark
    August 7, 2015 / 11:23 am

    My husband! I am 30 weeks pregnant and he is more pro breastfeeding than most women I know 🙂 xx

  6. August 7, 2015 / 3:39 pm

    This post is amazing! My husband is my biggest fan too – and I have written a similar post today. It’s such a great feeling to know that they support you fully!

    • Laura
      Author
      August 7, 2015 / 4:25 pm

      Ahh thanks Jenni xx

  7. Nichole Frerichs
    August 7, 2015 / 4:22 pm

    Love this post! My husband has been my greatest supporter!

    • Laura
      Author
      August 7, 2015 / 4:23 pm

      Thanks Nichole x

  8. August 7, 2015 / 5:00 pm

    Lovely post. It was Mr TB that helped me through the first few weeks of feeding Tin Box Baby when she was being slow to put on weight. I love feeding but this time it was a bit of a challenge. Without his encouragement I think I would have switched to formula in those early days x

    • Laura
      Author
      August 8, 2015 / 4:04 pm

      Thanks Claire, I know what you mean attempting to latch a screaming hungry baby when you haven’t a clue why they won’t makes it difficult to want to persevere. Support in all forms is crucial xx

  9. Janice Mackin
    August 7, 2015 / 5:44 pm

    My husband is my biggest supporter.

  10. August 7, 2015 / 7:01 pm

    Gorgeous post and I love the photos you’ve shared. Your hubby sounds so lovely. I had a cat 1 section too! I hadnt read anything about them, buried my head in the sand (like I did with breastfeeding) and was so unprepared when it happened. Ah well! x

    • Laura
      Author
      August 7, 2015 / 7:12 pm

      Thanks lovely! We were told it would necer happen, don’t worry about it, if needs be the baby will be out in 7 minutes. But it NEVER happens. Yeah right….. x

  11. Rosie
    August 7, 2015 / 7:18 pm

    Myself.

    • Laura
      Author
      August 7, 2015 / 9:55 pm

      Thanks Prabs xx

  12. kim neville
    August 8, 2015 / 2:05 pm

    My partner is my biggest support

  13. Maria Hackett
    August 9, 2015 / 2:45 am

    My husband, im 20 weeks pregnant with Twins and he has been so very supportive and helpful. we cant wait to meet our babies. xx

  14. August 23, 2015 / 7:32 pm

    I don’t have a husband, but I was in hospital for 5 days after Piglet was born and I got a lot of support from the medical professionals there. Over a year on, I’m still breastfeeding, thanks to their help and reassurance. And that of the good old Internet!

    • Laura
      Author
      August 29, 2015 / 6:17 pm

      The internet has helped me understand a lot more about feeding which has been amazing. I was looking over baby books earlier today and they are all giving advice that goes against what I’ve read so very glad that resource is there!

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