Finishing World Breastfeeding Week with a Truly Special Visit
- annarochdeus
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
This week has been World Breastfeeding Week, seven days dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and raising awareness about breastfeeding around the world. It’s a week when stories are shared, myths are gently unpacked, and parents everywhere are reminded that they are not alone in this journey.
For me, this week hasn’t been about statistics or campaigns, but about the real, living stories I’m privileged to witness every day in my work as a doula and lactation consultant.
And as the week comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a very special home visit I had just today. It wasn’t arranged to “end” the week on a high note, but sometimes life has a way of aligning the perfect moment with the perfect timing.
A baby only three days old
The family had just welcomed their baby three days ago. Their birth had been long, full of effort, emotion, and endurance. And eventually, their little one arrived by caesarean section.
When I stepped into their home, I could sense the mix of emotions that often fills the air in those early postpartum days: the overwhelming love for this tiny new person, the fatigue that seeps into every muscle, and the gentle undercurrent of uncertainty as they try to navigate something entirely new.
Their baby was beautiful, tiny fingers curling instinctively, eyes still adjusting to the light, and that soft, newborn smell that makes you instinctively breathe a little deeper. But underneath all this beauty was a worry: in three days, their baby had not once successfully latched to the breast.
Three days without a latch
In those first three days, he had been refusing the breast entirely. Mum had been expressing her milk to ensure he was still getting her nutrition, and they had topped him up with a little formula when needed.
She had plenty of milk and her breasts were engorged, which can make it harder for a newborn to latch. Engorgement is something many new parents experience when their milk comes in: the breasts can feel hard, warm, and uncomfortable, and the fullness can flatten the nipple, making it tricky for a tiny mouth to get a good grip.
For any new parent, this combination, an eager but struggling baby and a body that’s already working overtime, can feel frustrating and disheartening.
Arriving with a calm plan
When I arrive at a home visit like this, my first job is always to bring calm into the room. Babies (and parents) feed better when there’s no rush, no pressure, and no sense of urgency in the air.
We started by talking about what had been happening and how she’d been feeling. I reminded her that this wasn’t a sign of failure, but simply a challenge we could work through together. Many babies need a little extra help to get started, and there are always ways forward.
The moment everything changed
Once she was comfortable and ready, we looked at positioning. I encouraged her to get into a position where she was supported first; pillows behind her back, armrests in place, feet planted. A comfortable mum is far more likely to have a calm baby.
We adjusted how she held her baby: tummy to tummy, chin tipped back slightly, nose level with the nipple. I showed her a little trick that can make a big difference: holding her baby firmly towards her breast, supporting him gently at the neck, not keeping him too far away, and never locking his head—just guiding him in with a gentle, steady push so he could find the breast easily.
And then it happened.
Baby’s mouth opened wide, mum brought him in close, and just like that, he latched. A deep, comfortable latch. Not a quick nibble, not a shallow try, but a proper seal.
The sound in the room changed instantly. That gentle, rhythmic suck-swallow pattern that any breastfeeding parent recognises began, and the energy in the room softened.
Mum’s shoulders relaxed. Her face shifted from concentration to relief to pure joy. Dad leaned forward slightly, watching with the kind of quiet awe that makes you realise how deeply invested both parents are in these moments.
Baby drank steadily, then paused to rest, still nestled against her, content just to be close.
Why this was more than “just a latch”
From the outside, this might have looked like a small thing, a baby finally feeding after a tricky start. But to this family, and to me, it was much more than that.
This was the moment a mother felt, for the first time, the warm pull of her baby nursing at her breast. It was the first time she felt the quiet pride of knowing she could do it. It was the first time their baby experienced the comfort of feeding directly from his mum, with her heartbeat and warmth all around him.
These are the moments that can change the tone of an entire postpartum journey. They build confidence, strengthen the bond between parent and child, and create a sense of “we’re going to be okay.”
The role of support
So often, we think of breastfeeding as something that should just happen naturally. But while it is natural, it’s also a skill, for both parent and baby, and like any skill, it can require guidance, practice, and patience.
In my work, I see time and time again how the right support, at the right time, can completely change a family’s experience. Sometimes it’s a matter of minutes, adjusting a hold, softening the breast, or simply reassuring a parent that they are doing wonderfully.
And that’s what happened here: after three days of trying and worrying, in less than an hour, they had their first successful feed.
Why I love my work
As I drove home afterwards, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. This is why I became a doula and lactation consultant, not just to “fix” a problem, but to witness these moments of connection, empowerment, and relief.
I’m there in pregnancy, answering questions, easing worries, and preparing parents for birth. I’m there in labour, offering calm, encouragement, and reassurance. And I’m there after the birth, helping them find their feet as a family, whether that’s with feeding, sleep, recovery, or simply adjusting to life with a newborn.
Every stage is important. Every stage holds its own challenges and triumphs. And every stage is worth walking alongside a family for.
World Breastfeeding Week reflections
World Breastfeeding Week isn’t about shaming anyone for how they feed their baby. It’s about ensuring families have access to the information, resources, and support they need to make the feeding choices that feel right for them.
For some, that will mean exclusive breastfeeding. For others, it may mean mixed feeding, pumping, or formula feeding. What matters most is that families feel confident, supported, and respected in their decisions.
But when a family wants to breastfeed and faces challenges, that’s where early, compassionate support can make all the difference.
My own memory
I can’t help but think back to my own early breastfeeding days. I remember how overwhelming it felt at times, wondering if my baby was getting enough, dealing with sore nipples, and feeling like I should somehow “just know” how to do it all.
I was lucky to have people around me who offered encouragement, shared small tips, and reminded me to trust myself. That’s what I hope to be for the families I work with: that reassuring voice in the room, the calm presence who says, “You’ve got this.”
Closing thoughts
As this World Breastfeeding Week comes to an end, I’m reminded that every feed is a victory, every moment of connection matters, and every family’s story is unique.
I’m grateful to the parents who trust me to be part of their journey. I’m proud to see them overcome challenges. And I’m deeply committed to continuing this work, because it’s not just a job.
It’s my path. It’s my calling. It’s my life.
If you’re a new or expectant parent in Spain, especially if you’re navigating this far from your home country, please know that you are not alone. There is support here. Your journey matters. And with the right help, challenges can be transformed into moments of joy.
With love,
Anna, Founder of MyMamaDreams
Doula | Lactation Consultant | Gentle Sleep Coach
