Episode 31 Letting Go of Breastfeeding Comparisons with ChelseaBea
A beautiful birthing experience followed by ease in breastfeeding is what most could only hope for. Having those intimate moments with your baby while breastfeeding knowing you are providing for them and creating a bond that is immeasurable. However, not all experiences are like this, in fact, it feels like an anomaly these days.
With the lack of support of lactation consultants in hospitals, the lack of exposure to breastfeeding in our culture, and the amount of misinformation that is out there, having a smooth breastfeeding experience takes some extra learning and effort, and sometimes it's just simply out of anyone’s control. Like, having a child born with a medical condition. All the rules go out the window. The high stress, worry, and abnormal feeding conditions are enough to dry the supply in any mother.
This is the experience our guest on today’s episode had with her second child, after an amazing first breastfeeding experience. We welcome Chelsea Bea, married for ten years and mother of two, and podcast host of ‘Beyond the Picket Fence’.
Chelsea’s breastfeeding experiences varied drastically between her first and second child, where her first child was able to nurse with little to no issues and was a pleasant experience, to Chelsea realizing any mother’s nightmare of her child being sick and unable to feed like she had hoped to. However, with perseverance, resiliency, and a ton of faith, she was able to work through all of the hurdles that came her way and was able to nurse the best way she knew how.
Tune in to hear a story about pure love and resiliency!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Importance of creating a safe space for people to share openly
Chelsea’s exposure to breastfeeding prior to having a baby
What happened during birth that affected the breastfeeding experience
Chelsea’s positive hospital experience with her first born
How having a lactation consultant helped Chelsea with breastfeeding
Why Chelsea stopped breastfeeding
Chelsea’s experience with giving birth to a child with a medical condition
How hand expression helped Chelsea
Chelsea’s traumatic experience with her second child
Grieving the loss of an experience
The importance of having a supportive community
Check out Chelsea’s podcast ‘Beyond the Picket Fence’ here!
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