Belfast mum opens up about her breastfeeding journey

Ahead of World Breastfeeding Week which starts on Thursday 1 August, Bronagh Smyth from Belfast has opened up about her breastfeeding journey with her baby Joni to help encourage other mothers to reach out for support if they need it.

Bronagh said: “In that first week of breastfeeding, Joni just latched straight on and it felt like everything was very easy and I was thinking it was all plain sailing.

“But after that first week, Joni’s weight wasn’t going on that well. She was gaining weight but just very slowly and at the same time I was getting quite a bit of pain. Those were a few very challenging weeks where I needed quite a bit of support.”

Between 2010–2022 the rates of breastfeeding in Northern Ireland at discharge from hospital after birth rose from 45% to nearly 51%, however there is then a big drop off with only 22.4% receiving breastmilk at six months old. Feedback indicates this is often because there is a lack of support, particularly when feeding outside the home, with 9 out of 10 mothers stopping before they intended.

Bronagh’s partner Jade was there to support Bronagh throughout her breastfeeding journey.

Jade said: “I knew it was important to Bronagh but I also have an awareness of how hard it would be, so I wanted to be there to support her. Bronagh took to it so quickly but it got very hard.

“Bronagh would have been very hard on herself at times so I tried to emotionally support her. I think it’s important for mums to know it will probably be difficult but for those who are supporting mums just listen to what your partner’s needs. My main concern was Bronagh and I wanted to make sure she was okay.” 

Bronagh added: “You can put a lot of pressure on yourself and there were times where Jade just said ‘it’s okay’ and that made me feel better.

“The support I received from health professionals has been great and having that support from Jade and my family has really helped keep my environment calm and nice.”

Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at PHA, said: “Breastfeeding can be a very rewarding experience. As well as having all the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop, human milk has very special ingredients such as antibodies, hormones and stem cells to help protect your baby now and in the future.

“Any period of breastfeeding at all, however long that may be, will benefit you and your baby.

“It can take a few weeks for a mother and baby to get used to breastfeeding and it’s a skill that is learned over time. We all have a role in supporting breastfeeding mothers. Creating a supportive environment makes continuing to breastfeed more likely.”

Community-based resources and facilities are key to providing ongoing support to breastfeeding mothers. Once mothers and their babies leave hospital, support is available from their community midwife and health visitor. There are more than 70 free breastfeeding support groups across Northern Ireland and mothers can avail of the service provided by peer support volunteers, who are mothers that have breastfed, offering mother-to-mother support to those on their breastfeeding journey. There are also specialist support services within each Health and Social Care Trust, just ask your midwife or health visitor.

Now, Bronagh and baby Joni are thriving and Bronagh is continuing to breastfeed.

She said: “At around week eight, we turned a bit of a corner and the last few weeks have been really lovely. A lot more relaxed and enjoyable.

“My mum breastfed all of us and it always felt like something I would do naturally. I knew it would be tricky but I wanted to give it a go and I feel so lucky to be able to.

“I remember thinking it’s been seven weeks, it’s embarrassing that I haven’t got the latch right, but that’s just really silly. It just took a conversation with someone just to help and make everything much easier. I would advise other mums to go easy, take the help and make it enjoyable for yourself and your baby.”

Dr Hannah McCourt concluded: “When partners, families, workplaces, and communities show their support for breastfeeding, mothers are more likely to continue for longer. This is something that we are beginning to see happen more often which is great, and we’d like to see this continue.”

World Breastfeeding Week also coincides with Breastival, a unique, award-winning festival supported by the PHA which aims to support, normalise and celebrate breastfeeding as part of everyday life in Northern Ireland. This year, Breastival in the Park, is taking place in Ormeau Park Belfast on Saturday 3 August. Free tickets are available at www.breastival.co.uk.

To find out more about supporting a family member, friend or colleague on their breastfeeding journey, visit www.breastfedbabies.org for information and advice.