Over the years breastfeeding rates decreased as infant formula became more widely promoted and marketed around the world. As the decades crept by, we saw the loss of breastfeeding knowledge being passed down the generations.
The result is less support and awareness about breastfeeding – and in a way breastfeeding became more taboo and stigmatised by society. No longer could we rely on our mothers or grandmothers for passing on their personal experiences of breastfeeding as many of them opted to bottled feed with infant formula.
Capturing breastfeeding stories and experiences
But the tide is changing and mother of two Petrina O’Halloran is championing breastfeeding and doing all she can to support her fellow breastfeeding peers. Petrina founded the Irish breastfeeding brand Mamas Boobie Box back in 2021 and since then she has supported many new mothers on their breastfeeding journey. Now she has launched The Boobie Journal in an effort to ensure mothers of today can pass on their breastfeeding stories and experiences to their own children.
Petrina was inspired to create this journal after realising how many mums are feeding without the knowledge or support from their mother or grandmother as they did not breastfeed. There is a massive knowledge gap around breastfeeding in Ireland and Petrina hopes to inspire mums to take up that mantle and build a bank of breastfeeding knowledge with The Boobie Journal.
Petrina was inspired to create this journal after realising how many mums are feeding without the knowledge or support from their mother or grandmother as they did not breastfeed.
Documenting breastfeeding milestones
The journal follows all the milestones that you may encounter on your breastfeeding journey including; preparing for breastfeeding, the first feed, settling in at home, cluster feeding, pumping, teething and breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public, breastfeeding and managing your sleep. The journal even includes a special page where you can write about ending your breastfeeding journey and the things you did to mark that special moment.
The journal even includes a special page where you can write about ending your breastfeeding journey and the things you did to mark that special moment.
Founder, Petrina commented “I spent a special afternoon with my grandmother last year, who breastfed all 13 of her children. We chatted a lot about babies, feeding and everything in between. I came away thinking how do we share that legacy of what breastfeeding can create? It was after that I came up with the idea of the journal.”
Praise for the breastfeeding journal
Breastfeeding mothers and lactation experts have been quick to praise the new boobie journal:
“That’s a wonderful idea and such an original way to celebrate breastfeeding and pass on the knowledge like a time capsule of sorts” Lactation Consultant and Midwife
“We have journals / scrap books for scans and hand and foot prints but this is so much more special. I have 6 years between kids and can’t really remember things about the first Boy. Would be lovely to have had them written down”. Proud Breastfeeding Mum