"People mean well, don't they? They're like, 'Oh, you know, give yourself a break, give them a bottle.' But when you're really trying to make breastfeeding work, it's kind of not what you want to hear."
Zoe reflects on societal and familial influences that shaped her decisions, including the pervasive normalisation of formula feeding and a lack of visibility for extended breastfeeding. She emphasises the need for supportive environments over prescriptive advice, recounting moments of judgment and support she experienced in public breastfeeding scenarios. Throughout this discussion, Zoe highlights the need for systemic support, cultural representation, and education to make breastfeeding more accessible and accepted.
“I've been really fortunate in that my births and experiences in hospital with the NHS have been wonderful, particularly with the breastfeeding support that I've had”
00:00 Introduction to the Holding Time Podcast
00:41 Personal Breastfeeding Journey: Reuben's Story
01:26 Challenges and Triumphs in Breastfeeding
03:09 Comparing Experiences with Different Children
05:00 Public Perception and Support for Breastfeeding
06:51 Reflections on Breastfeeding and Support Systems
11:26 Breastfeeding in Public: Confidence and Challenges
16:28 The Need for Better Breastfeeding Education
26:14 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
