Thank you to the mothers but especially to the Leaders of the Parow LLLSA WhatsApp support group for always being on top of responses. I will always remember your kindness and support through difficult times while being there for all the other mothers, and still finding the time to check in privately with me if something was wrong. May you be rewarded abundantly for everything you do for everyone.

A year ago I rejoined the LLL community, after an absence of 10 years, when my third baby was born (2024). Having a baby again after so long made me feel like a first time mom and I needed all the breastfeeding advice I could get – especially since this time my experience would be very different from before.

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.

Gwynneth is a Leader in Cape Town. She is passionate about supporting working moms and has served in various admin roles within LLLSA.

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

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.

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.

Nan, one of our longest serving leaders, is based in Gqeberha involved with the LLLSA group there as well as active on our Facebook group.

After taking the pills to dry up my milk I thought that was the end of my breastfeeding journey but six days later I still had milk...

My one breast stopped making milk at four months, which could have been the end of my journey but La Leche League supported me to continue.