Become a contributor and register to submit your story!
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

Boobingit
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • All
    • Being prepared
    • Covid19
    • Doing it longterm
    • Products + Reviews
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Sleep
    • Style
    • Support
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    breast-milk-ring

    Why I chose breast milk jewellery to celebrate my breastfeeding journey

    Gemma Nixon pictured at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

    Mother raises over £2000 to provide breastfeeding supplies to the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

    Olivia Bowen breastfeeding

    Olivia Bowen admits the thought of breastfeeding ‘freaked me out’ but now considers it ‘natural’ and ‘amazing’

    World Breastfeeding Week challenges

    World Breastfeeding Week highlights just how all-consuming and challenging breastfeeding can be for mothers

    6 things I’ve learned in my first year of breastfeeding

    Mother breastfeeding her baby boy

    Stepping up for my friend and stepping up for breastfeeding

    Trending Tags

    • breastfeeding
    • covid vaccine and breastfeeding
    • breastfeeding and Covid19
    • Hypnobirthing and breastfeeding
    • boobingit podcast
    • Latched breastfeeding bra
    • breastfeeding support
    • diy breast milk soap
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a caesarean birth
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Expressing milk
      • Tongue ties
      • Mastitis
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • ContributorsNew
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • All
    • Being prepared
    • Covid19
    • Doing it longterm
    • Products + Reviews
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Sleep
    • Style
    • Support
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    breast-milk-ring

    Why I chose breast milk jewellery to celebrate my breastfeeding journey

    Gemma Nixon pictured at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

    Mother raises over £2000 to provide breastfeeding supplies to the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

    Olivia Bowen breastfeeding

    Olivia Bowen admits the thought of breastfeeding ‘freaked me out’ but now considers it ‘natural’ and ‘amazing’

    World Breastfeeding Week challenges

    World Breastfeeding Week highlights just how all-consuming and challenging breastfeeding can be for mothers

    6 things I’ve learned in my first year of breastfeeding

    Mother breastfeeding her baby boy

    Stepping up for my friend and stepping up for breastfeeding

    Trending Tags

    • breastfeeding
    • covid vaccine and breastfeeding
    • breastfeeding and Covid19
    • Hypnobirthing and breastfeeding
    • boobingit podcast
    • Latched breastfeeding bra
    • breastfeeding support
    • diy breast milk soap
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a caesarean birth
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Expressing milk
      • Tongue ties
      • Mastitis
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • ContributorsNew
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

Boobingit
No Result
View All Result
Home Mama Stories

Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome – Three Mamas share their story

Linzi, Laura and Gemma share their experiences of breastfeeding

by Ruth
March 21, 2022
in Breastfeeding And..., Mama Stories
0
World Down Syndrome Day

Every year on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day is observed to create awareness about Down syndrome. To mark this special day, we have three amazing mamas sharing their experiences of breastfeeding their child with Down Syndrome.

Linzi and Matilda’s story

“After bottle feeding my two eldest children, I knew I wanted to try breastfeeding my third baby. Matilda was born on July 14th, 2019 weighing a tiny 4lb3oz at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Along with the Down Syndrome diagnosis, we also found out she had clubbed feet and a serious heart defect.

We were told that with her having hyptonia (low muscle tone) and her heart issue, that she probably wouldn’t be strong enough to breastfeed. They said her latch may not be correct, that she might tire quickly at the breast, and may not get enough calories. Being told all that really ate away at my confidence.

We were told that with her having hyptonia (low muscle tone) and her heart issue, that she probably wouldn’t be strong enough to breastfeed.

Matilda was NG tube fed for eight weeks with my expressed milk. She had her heart surgery at 13 days old and although it was a success Matilda then went on to develop Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). This required an extra two weeks stay in hospital (six weeks total). 

Some health professionals encouraged us to move onto high-calorie formula because of poor weight gain, but we didn’t give up on breastfeeding. Eventually, around 8/9 weeks after Matilda was born she latched and had her first full breastfeed. From that day on we haven’t had any issues with breastfeeding and Matilda is healthy and thriving!”

Read Linzi’s story in full here. 

Laura and Anna-Rose’s story

“Having breastfed my other two babies the intention was to also breastfeed my 3rd. I gained so much confidence, knowledge, and experience during my 2nd breastfeeding journey using online resources and community midwives, that breastfeeding was my ultimate choice. I found out during my pregnancy that my little girl had Trisomy 21 but I knew absolutely nothing about the challenges we could face with feeding due to this.

Anna Rose was born at 37 weeks, measuring on the bottom line of the growth charts. She was tiny, I had never held a baby this small so this was a new experience. However, as soon as Anna Rose was placed onto me after birth she rooted for food and latched instantly with a wide-open mouth and full cheeks.

As soon as Anna Rose was placed onto me after birth she rooted for food and latched instantly with a wide-open mouth and full cheeks.

Anna Rose was extremely ‘floppy’ within her neck, arms and legs requiring as much support as possible but the midwives and her Paediatrician all agreed her latch was perfect. I was able to scoop her up using one hand with her small size helping with feeding positions. I used the rugby and cross-cradle hold feeding positions, these being ones I could never do comfortably with my other babies.

Breastfeeding Anna Rose was not only the most beneficial thing for her but incredibly beneficial for myself. I loved having her so close, feeling that she was being comforted and settled while feeding. Breastfeeding most certainly helped me on my own journey of processing her diagnosis as I had her physically close to me during those moments. I needed her as much as she needed my milk.”

Read Laura’s full story here.

Gemma and Caleb’s story

“Caleb was born in a Midwife Led Unit so when the possibility of him having Down’s Syndrome came to light, he needed a blood test to confirm. This meant just a few hours after he was born, I was bundled into the back of an ambulance beside him. He looked so tiny in his incubator covered in wires. Along with all my fears regarding his health, his future, and what the impact of a Down Syndrome diagnosis would have on our family was also the realisation that this could mean the end of our breastfeeding journey.

I will never forget my “Angel Midwife.” She explained to me that breastfeeding can take a lot of different forms and it doesn’t always mean feeding from the breast. She supported me to express milk as bottles were much easier for Caleb to manage as well as encouraging me to continue to offer short feeds direct from me and lots of skin to skin.

I will never forget my “Angel Midwife.” She explained to me that breastfeeding can take a lot of different forms and it doesn’t always mean feeding from the breast.

We left NICU not only feeling more positive about his future but more confident in our ability to continue our breastfeeding journey.

I naively assumed Caleb’s Down Syndrome diagnosis meant he would be unable to breastfeed, but I am proud to say he is 6 now months old and shows no signs of stopping!”

Read Gemma’s full story here.

Discover more about Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome

Special episode: Down syndrome awareness with Mighty Matilda
Live interview – Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome
Tags: breastfeeding and Down Syndromedown syndrome awarenessWorld Down Syndrome Day
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

As a breastfeeding mama of twins, these are the questions I get asked all the time – Part 1

Next Post

5 ways to make breastfeeding easier for new mamas

Related Posts

breast-milk-ring
Style

Why I chose breast milk jewellery to celebrate my breastfeeding journey

August 9, 2022
Gemma Nixon pictured at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital
Breastfeeding And...

Mother raises over £2000 to provide breastfeeding supplies to the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

August 8, 2022
Olivia Bowen breastfeeding
Showbiz

Olivia Bowen admits the thought of breastfeeding ‘freaked me out’ but now considers it ‘natural’ and ‘amazing’

August 6, 2022
World Breastfeeding Week challenges
The challenges

World Breastfeeding Week highlights just how all-consuming and challenging breastfeeding can be for mothers

August 6, 2022
Mama Stories

6 things I’ve learned in my first year of breastfeeding

August 5, 2022
Mother breastfeeding her baby boy
Support

Stepping up for my friend and stepping up for breastfeeding

August 4, 2022
Please login to join discussion

Recommended

breast-milk-ring

Why I chose breast milk jewellery to celebrate my breastfeeding journey

2 days ago
Gemma Nixon pictured at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

Mother raises over £2000 to provide breastfeeding supplies to the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital

3 days ago

Become a boobingit member today. It's FREE!

Sign up today for the latest breastfeeding information & inspiration.

Sign Up Now!

Trending

These brides all breastfed at their wedding and it made the day even more special

These brides all breastfed at their wedding and it made the day even more special

July 8, 2022
breastfed infant hair salon

A mother and her breastfed infant are refused entry to a hair salon in Ireland

July 2, 2022
DIY breast milk bath photoshoot

DIY breast milk bath photoshoot

June 29, 2022

Advertisement

Boobingit

Boobingit is here to inform, inspire, and empower you as you navigate your own unique breastfeeding journey.

Follow Boobingit on social

Be part of boobingit.com

Become a Partner

Become a Contributor

  • About boobingit
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2020, Boobingit - for breastfeeders everywhere.

  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
No Result
View All Result
  • Mama Stories
  • Breastfeeding and…
    • Sleep
    • Covid19
    • Being prepared
    • Returning to work
    • Self-care
    • Showbiz
    • Style
    • The benefits
    • The challenges
    • Doing it longterm
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • Breastfeeding after giving birth
      • Breastfeeding after a caesarean birth
      • Breastfeeding a baby in NICU
      • Breastfeeding the unsettled baby
      • Breastfeeding positions
      • Responsive feeding
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Expressing milk
      • Tongue ties
      • Mastitis
      • Breast refusal
      • Bottle refusal
      • Relactation and Induced Lactation
      • Breast milk soap
      • Babywearing
      • Transitioning baby to solid foods
    • A-Z Glossary
  • The Podcast
  • Contributors
  • Shop
    • Baby & Breastfeeding Essentials
    • Boobingit Merch
  • Buy Our Book

Sign up today to become a contributor and share your story!
Sign up now!

Copyright © 2020, Boobingit - for breastfeeders everywhere.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create a boobingit account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Breastfeeding for Beginners – Latches, letdowns & leaky boobs

Out Now!

Shop Now

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?