I am a South African living in Germany. My baby daughter (now 9 months) arrived at 41 weeks and weighed 4,8kg. Directly after the birth, the hospital recommended observations for 48 hours at the neonatal clinic (a different section in the hospital) because she weighed more than 4,5kg and her blood sugar level and temperature had to be checked.

Our son was born at 37 weeks and spent his first two weeks in NICU. From a few days after birth he was visibly jaundiced (yellowish), but initially this was monitored without treatment.

I wanted to share my story in the hope that it brings encouragement to another mama who might be feeling the way I did just a few months ago. 

Like many mothers, I was incredibly excited to begin my breastfeeding journey after my baby was born. Breastfeeding felt like such a natural and beautiful experience—I never imagined that anything could go wrong.

My first full-blown mastitis didn’t happen as a brand-new mother. It came with my third child – and not even in the early months. I woke up one morning with my breast swollen, an aching body, fever, and excruciating pain while breastfeeding.

I've been in the Parow WhatsApp group since 2023 and am so glad that I never left. When my second baby was born this year, I felt so uncertain of myself that I reached out for help again.

This is the story of my breastfeeding journey—a journey that started in confusion and pain, but thankfully led me to healing and joy. I share it with the hope that it might spare another mom the trauma I went through the first time around, and offer encouragement that things can be different.

My 4-month-old exclusively breastfed baby had been refusing the breast all of a sudden. I knew he was hungry, but he just pulled away.

How do I get my baby used to the boob again? I noticed many moms experiencing the same issue I had, so I wanted to share my story.

I want to share my joy of co-sleeping with my 5 month old boy.

At the hospital they gave him formula in a bottle, which raised his sugar, but unfortunately he stopped latching onto me after that.

I was adamant that breastfeeding was what I wanted to continue doing. I had tried for five daunting weeks to get my baby to take a bottle.

I’m a mom of three and I breastfed with success before so it never occurred to me that I would have so much difficulty with my third child.

The riveting saga of Wilken, the pint-sized revolutionary who staged a one-baby protest against the bottle industry, awaited me.

Mamma-wees vir die eerste keer en borsvoed vir die eerste keer het my dieper geraak as wat ek ooit kon voorstel. Dis die mooiste mooi...

I honestly did not think that anyone would be able to help me...especially not on a call, miles away. But finally after all these years!

A story of how I went from formula feeding and a C-section with my first baby, to a vaginal delivery and breastfeeding my second baby.

This is the proudest achievement of my life. We reached the 5 month mark of exclusive breastfeeding without formula milk and no solids.

We have learned that breastfeeding is almost like a sport. The more you practice, the better you become at it.

I am a full-time working and breastfeeding mom. I must admit that it has been a very challenging journey with travelling and pumping.