Motherhood Stories

There are a bunch of challenges that we accept when it comes to pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. Up until 2020 however, a pandemic which would literally shut down the world, was not one of them! COVID has changed pregnancy, birth and motherhood. We spoke to a mum who lived through it.

As a Child and Family Health Nurse and the second youngest of a large family all of whom were breastfed, Mary-Kate always intended to breastfeed her first child. A very long and challenging labour and birth and baby with a super-powered suck however made the road to successful, pain free breastfeeding a rocky one.

When it comes to perseverance, mum-of-four Laura knows a thing or two. After struggling with breastfeeding her first three children due to a variety of issues, Laura is now successfully breastfeeding for fourth child and has reached the milestone of 16 weeks, a point she never reached previously.

Welcome back to our 'Milkbar Mamas' series where we speak to women all over Australia about how breastfeeding unfolded for them because nothing #normalisesbreastfeeding more than writing, speaking and sharing all things boobin' related. 
When it comes to challenges, there isn't one that Melbourne mama-of-two Kristen HASN'T faced. From cracked nipples to severe engorgement, mastitis, a bottle preference and even the premature arrival of her second child, Kristen, a Paediatric Registered Nurse & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) has survived it all (and lived to tell the tale!)

Here at Milkbar we LOVE sharing breastfeeding stories and hearing from our online community about their own experiences. Which is why we're starting a brand new series of blogs where we speak to Milkbar mamas about how breastfeeding has unfolded for them. From first time mamas to exclusive pumpers, those battling over and under supply, tongue ties, mastitis and everything in between, we are SO excited to share their words and experience with you. We hope these stories will inspire, give you some tips for your own breastfeeding experience help those walking a similar path feel less alone.

New Year is often the time to take stock of your life, make resolutions for the coming twelve months and celebrate the past year. I was shopping for decorations today, because I’m having a party…a birthday party…a first birthday party…not mine!

Every mother’s experience of pregnancy, birth, feeding and parenthood is completely different and there is such a vast range of ‘normal’. We aim to support all mums across all their experiences, so we’re putting together a collection of birth stories that show motherhood in all its diversity and beauty.  We want to inform, share and celebrate all the ways in which a woman becomes a mother. So to kick off our first birth story, I’d like to introduce you to my little munchkin!