Below are transcripts of interviews – some in short form, others longer podcast interview edits, for researchers and parents who prefer reading to listening….
I need to leave a legacy for him somehow
by Sonia
I was pregnant with a stillborn baby in 2019 he was born at 29 weeks. We knew we had the 12 week scan, and we knew at that point there’s something wrong. It was COVID time. So by the time we’d had the we’d had a CVS and we’d had some blood work. It was probably, I don’t know, must be about 18,19, weeks when we got the results in the scan, it had a condition called high drops, which, whether you know or not, it’s basically like an overload of water, and they don’t develop properly. So he was either going to die in the womb or would not survive extra uterine life soon after.
I reached out to the breastfeeding clinic. I was in tears on the phone, like, I don’t know if I can do this
By Mahum
It wasn’t as easy as I thought because, you know, you read about it and then you’re given like Shirley’s techniques with antenatal classes But it’s it’s much more hard and it’s always really complex It just depends on everybody and so so many factors like your recovery, you know, your situation whether you’re going back into work.
I felt incomplete at times, but I kept going. Because motherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about perseverance
by Rana
I was breastfeeding her, and I was planning to breastfeed for two years, and I knew I was pregnant again when she just turned one. So this was for me, to me, about taking the decision whether to stop breastfeeding or to continue. And I felt very stressed, because the second pregnancy, when it comes, there’s a lot of guilt towards the first, especially being so young.
Why aren’t we giving women more options when things are hard?
By Sophie
When we had our 20 week scan with olive, and we were told that she had a slight problem, where the baby had a slight problem with their kidneys, and that they couldn’t see her heart clearly. So they asked us to come back the following day for a specific cardiac scan, and during that scan, they told us the baby had quite a serious problem with the heart.
The biggest thing they said is she needs breast milk
by Salma
I was a qualified science teacher for over 10 years at working in schools in Bradford, working full time and after my second daughter, I needed part time just because of the kids and so I left my outstanding school that was very good to go work for at a different school that was a bit more flexible.
I’ve been really fortunate in that my births and experiences in hospital with the NHS have been wonderful
by Zoe
I’ve breastfed all three of my children, and each experience has been so different. With Reuben, my first, it was a real challenge. At the time, I thought he was latching well. But now, looking back after having breastfed two more babies, I’m not so sure. He always seemed happy, and I was exclusively breastfeeding, so I thought we were doing okay.
Nobody seemed to understand how important it was to me and why it was so important
by Becky
It doesn’t go as smoothly as you think it will from your antenatal, and it’s just getting through those first few days, and your milk coming and everything is obviously really difficult. And if the support is there, your journey, you know, can end. But I do think we’re in a bottle feeding culture, in a sense that it’s not even a consideration for a lot of mums like me.
“I never could have prepared myself for the first time. I think no one can, no matter what you read”
by Kayleigh H
I’ve got a mixed heritage family. So my family are Muslim, and I think Islamically, it’s said that you should feed your child until their two, which is in line with the WHO guidance as well. And that was something, again, that was really, really passionate about my sister in law fed till, you know, beyond that two year mark.
Breastfeeding is the bit of getting down the mountain
by Ella
Before giving birth, I didn’t know much about breastfeeding, if I’m honest. My husband and I attended one of Bradford’s online education sessions that covered feeding, and breastfeeding was a part of that, but I didn’t go into it with strong expectations.
This was an amazing way to bond with him, even at age two
by Aisha
My name is Aisha. I’m a mother to a three-and-a-half-year-old boy who came to live with us about a year and a half ago, through adoption. Becoming his mother has been a profound and unexpected journey, full of heartbreak, faith, learning, and love.
I’ve just been amazed by the support of other women
by Alison
It’s about having choices, being informed, and feeling in control of my body and birth. That’s what I wanted.
I was really determined to breastfeed. I just knew I’d power through it no matter what
by Alexandra
The reality of motherhood and birth and all of that is very, like, dirty and it’s grizzly and it’s just very primal… No one can tell you what that’s like until you go through it.
Now, I’ve opened up those memories, and I’ve healed
by Clare
I knew about the benefits for mom and baby, and just the overall like convenience, bonding, all that attachment stuff, just just thought it was something that I would just do without, without question of doubt when I had a little girl, just as I’d kind of delivered her, I was quite unwell after delivery, so it was not really like a great priority to be having, like, skin to skin with her and things like that, for the initial, the the initial couple of hours, and then when I did get time with her, I physically just wasn’t really well enough to get established with her.
I’m really grateful for having that time
by Aamta
I knew that I wanted to breastfeed. I definitely knew that I wanted to breastfeed, and I knew that it was the better option for my child because I did a lot of reading and educated myself around the benefits of breastfeeding. I definitely knew that that’s something that I wanted to do, and it feels really weird because I’m saying this now, but I kind of knew what I was doing, and I didn’t know it.
I had more tears than actual milk in the first few days
by Amy
When she got weighed she’d lost about 11.5% of her birth weight. And they were like threatening hospital and put me on a feeding plan. It was just really, really intense. I ended up pumping, breastfeeding and giving her a top of a formula as well at the beginning. And I think I’ve had more tears than actual milk in the first few days because it was just super stressful.
I Was Told I Couldn’t Breastfeed
by Michelle
Alexi was born with congenital heart disease. And right away was taken off me. I was told I wouldn’t be able to breastfeed. I had to have a section. So there was that space. And then they said, she’s going if you don’t know how poorly she’ll be, and then she’ll need the surgery, you won’t be able to feed after surgery. And it was just really negative of everyone’s position on it. And I really grieved that.. that I wouldn’t be able to feed her.
I just wanted someone to show me what to do
by Victoria
I couldn’t get up. And I couldn’t reach the buzzer to ask them to help me sit up. So I just lay there petrified that I was going to fall asleep with this tiny 4lb baby
i guess it always begins before birth
by Lucila
I guess it always begins before birth. I wanted to breastfeed. I knew it might be difficult. My mum breastfeed me and my younger brother but nor my older brother, as she had a lot of pain, and difficulties, and no support. So I was aware that it might be hard. I had gone to my NCT classes, read about breastfeeding, but it felt like reading about running without ever having run….
the open road
by Lisa Creagh
It’s 7.15, Sunday, Mothers Day and I am finally breastfeeding. No expressing, no bottles, no formula, no steriliser. Just me, her and the open road.
A slight ache in my left breast reminds me that this achievement is the culmination of many small battles, won quietly, furiously in the past three and a half months since my baby, Lily was born. Who would have thought it would take so long to get here? Not me. But then I really hadn’t a clue about breastfeeding before she was born.
something just clicked and we both got it
by Emma
With my first boy, it was really hard. He was premature and after a tricky labour, ending in emergency Csection, I struggled to get him latched on. My milk took a long time to come in and he lost a lot of weight and the doctors prescribed formula in the hospital which really knocked my confidence. It was a difficult and painful experience, physically and emotionally.
it brought us together
by Ella
Breastfeeding was incredibly easy for me and Frank. I had a horrible labour and lost lots of blood so I was lucky my milk came in. He was a guzzler from day 1. It really hurt, toe curling pain in the beginning but thankfully that wore off. I remember being stressed about how much milk he was taking, how long he was feeding and feeling like if he doesn’t feed he’ll die! But I really enjoyed feeding and found the night feeds so meditative. It really bonded us together.
it was surprisingly easy
by Liz
Breastfeeding was surprisingly easy. I say surprisingly because when I was pregnant I had a lot of people warning me that breastfeeding is horrendous, painful, impossible. In fact I found it to be calming, painless and easy.
I had very peaceful home births with both my children, with midwifes and a doula who gave me the support, space and respite to be able to focus on feeding and recovering. Generally, I found being able to breastfeed was a huge confidence boost in the beginning. It made me feel strong, important, purposeful. And completely autonomous – as though it wouldn’t matter what situation we found ourselves in, so long as I had my breasts my babies would be fine.
i still find it quite mind blowing
by Polly
I’m very fortunate that I had an easy pregnancy and lovely home birth with my daughter, Leila, and that she knew what to do right from the start. Happily I had no problems with breastfeeding and I just found it all quite lovely.
Although she was small she even put on weight in her first week and so I just felt rather in awe of the whole process and how amazing the body is to produce just what she needs whenever she needs it. I still find it quite mind blowing. With my son, Louie, again born small, he took to it immediately and is thriving at 4 months old now.
it was literally keeping her alive
by Sabrina
I’m just grateful that I was able and stubborn enough the continue to breast feed Isabelle. It hasn’t been the most enjoyable time that breast feeding is suppose to be. I think I had about a week of being able to enjoy the bonding and comfort of feeding her before it just all just turn into a constant struggle of self doubt if I was even feeding right and worry, having to have midwives suggest 1000s different ways to do it better. I was literally feeding her for 3 hours straight at times, the pain of feed her so much and the worry turned me into a zombie and she was never full.
But even with all that happening I really didn’t want to give up
by Vickie
Breastfeeding for me in the beginning was a real joy! I know that must make a lot of people feel frustrated but I just found it so natural. This is back when Sawyer was a baby. Then I had Vienna and totally expected it to be a breeze again but that time, due to a bad latch moments after she was born, the whole of my left nipple ended up peeling off!
It is still invaluable if he’s ill
by Mikki
Breastfeeding in the beginning was great – I watched the whole box season of breaking bad & spent a lot of time in bed eating chocolate 🙂 Tully I swear was born shouting ‘boob’ he did the self wriggle and latch within minutes of being born and we didn’t look back.