"When I was three weeks postpartum, I reached out to the breastfeeding clinic. I was in tears on the phone, like, I don’t know if I can do this."
"It’s about talking to and having that support system around you to talk to. Women who have breastfed in the past, to get a full idea."
Mahum, a mother of two, shares her breastfeeding journey with all its challenges and rewards. Despite initial struggles, including engorgement and recovery from childbirth, Mahum persisted with the help of a breastfeeding clinic, which provided practical advice and emotional support. Speaking of the contrasts between her two sons’ feeding behaviours, linking her eldest son's autism diagnosis and reflecting on how this influenced her efforts to wean him gradually, she discusses the importance of early support and guidance for breastfeeding mothers, highlighting the physical and emotional demands, such as hunger, fatigue, and pressure to succeed.
00:00 Introduction to the Holding Time Podcast
00:41 Meet Malcom: A Mother's Journey
01:08 Breastfeeding Challenges and Triumphs
02:00 Family Support and Cultural Influences
04:15 Navigating Autism and Breastfeeding
07:12 Support Systems and Community Resources
08:31 The Importance of Early Support
13:33 Raising Awareness and Future Plans
16:55 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
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