Breastfeeding is not an acquired skill all mums are born with, which kicks in the moment they give birth.
For some mums, breastfeeding is difficult and they persevere to give their babies the best milk available.
Even though formula is still nutritious, it is not often viewed as the answer when a mum finds breastfeeding difficult.
One mum, Elaina Bellis, took to Instagram to share with her 20,000 followers how difficult it was for her to breastfeed her twins, and the response to the post has been overwhelming.
Image via Instagram @laylaygibson
The mum who resides in California, wanted to share her breastfeeding struggle to show the real side of breastfeeding that is rarely shared on social media.
Bellis told the art director at Little Things, “I feel like oftentimes with social media, women and men both portray the best aspects of their life and that’s great and I do the same. But I felt that all of my motherhood so far wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, some of it was really hard and that was breastfeeding.”
While it could be argued why put the pressure on oneself when formula is readily available,? Bellis was desperate to give her twin girls breast milk.
Image via Instagram @laylaygibson
“It was cool to see how many women had experienced the same or similar difficulties and felt the same way that I felt and felt safe sharing via my [breastfeeding] photo,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting any of that.”
Building her milk supply was difficult to do, so Bellis relied on the help of her friends to supply her with enough breast milk to feed her daughters.
Bellis’s message on Instagram was shared below:
“Breastfeeding: I tried everything in my power to build a supply for my girls.
Pumping, lactation consultants, mothers milk tea/vitamins, formula wired to my nipples, up all hours of the night and having emotional breakdowns not understanding why my body couldn’t build up any milk over the last month.”
“Due to the way my birth went and excess of fluids in my body and trauma, my breasts aren’t able to supply even enough milk for one baby.
I never thought I would have problems breastfeeding and realize now I did the absolute best I could do.”
Image via Instagram @laylaygibson
“I wanted to thank my friends who have supplied my girls with their milk @kikialamode and @kacej. I’m so lucky to have friends like you!!!”
“I also feel like people don’t talk about how hard breastfeeding can be and if you can BF you’re incredibly lucky.”
“I pump all day to be able to provide my girls with one ounce of my milk, and I’ve excepted that’s the best I can do.
All I can give them is my love and that’s most important.”
