This week on the podcast I am joined by by Linzi who is mummy to Matilda, or ‘Mighty Matilda’ as she is known by on Instagram! Matilda is almost 2 years old and she has Down Syndrome.
Both Linzi and Matilda do so much to raise awareness of Down Syndrome both online and offline. For those of you who don’t know, Down Syndrome is a condition in which a child is born with an extra copy of their 21st chromosome.
Linzi was one of the first mamas to share her breastfeeding story on boobingit.com which I am so grateful for. I know her story resonated with so many and since it will soon be World Down Syndrom Day on Sunday 21 March I wanted to invite Linzi on to talk more about her and Matilda’s amazing story.
Pregnancy, giving birth and learning to breastfeed a baby with Down Syndrome
Mama of three Linzi opens up about how she and her partner felt when they first were given a Down Syndrome diagnosis during her pregnancy. She describes how they found the strength to cope and stay positive. Linzi also tells us about giving birth to Matilda and the shock heart condition diagnosis which came eight days later. We also hear of Linzi’s experience of breastfeeding for the first time, including her dedication to pumping milk in the early days and her fear her baby would never be able to latch on to the breast.
World Down Syndrome Day
Linzi and Matilda, along with the rest of the Down Syndrome community across the world, will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday 21 March 2021. The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. It’s a day dedicated to advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome. Part of the campaign is #LotsofSocks whereby you wear brightly coloured or mismatched socks and post your pictures online.