SARA ATHERTON, 25 FROM WIRRAL AND MUM TO ELLA

Sara lives in Wirral with her 4-month-old daughter Ella and her 2 other children. Sara wasn’t working when she got pregnant but did volunteer as a breastfeeding peer supporter in her local community. She managed to breastfeed her second child till 2 years whilst she was training and reaching out to other mums.

She is now feeding her third child and still volunteering at the breastfeeding network, her local hospital and children’s centre. Feeding has never stopped her working and Sara intends to go back to work in the near future. When not volunteering or looking after her 3 children she also enjoys face painting and gardening.

Please explain why you’ve chosen to breastfeed?
I chose to breastfeed after myself and my partner looked into it whilst I was pregnant with my first child. We couldn’t believe the health benefits for both mother and baby. I thought if there was a way of giving my child a head start in life with the possibility of better health and immunities, by feeding them a certain way, the way nature intended, then Why not?

What did the people around you think of your decision to breastfeed - eg partner, parents, friends, family?
No-one in my peer group had breastfed or even thought about it. My partner encouraged me and gave me loads of support. Even though, as well as most of her generation, mum didn’t breastfeed me she was always there to help whenever she could, with a glass of water or a pillow to prop. I did find it hard at times as not all of my family had the same views as I did. I also found that people’s opinions start to show the longer you feed.

What general advice would you give to expectant mums considering breastfeeding?
Family and friends are eager to feed the baby and take it out but I would say to any expectant mother wanting to breastfeed “stay close to your baby for the first two to three weeks, get feeding established before you start to express and introduce a bottle. Make this yours and babies time together”.

What advice would you give to mums whose partner/friends/parents disapprove of breastfeeding?
For anyone who is faced with disapproval of breastfeeding do not be discouraged, breastfeeding is the natural way to feed, it is species specific, tailored for your baby and the best thing you can give it. We live in a bottle feeding culture but you are continuing to give the gift of life after birth and there is no greater feeling of sustain that bond with your baby. It is a special time, an unbelievable closeness as well as being so beneficial for you both. Breastfeeding is a gift not only that you can give to your own child, but support other mums to give that gift to their babies and get the world back to the way it should be and we should be feeding children up to 2 years plus.