Gwynneth Jacobs is a volunteer group Leader for La Leche League South Africa. She is also a full-time working mother of two beautiful boys. She discovered the LLLSA Facebook group with her first child and loved reading everyone’s posts and information about breastfeeding. In time she trained as a breastfeeding peer counsellor and later as a Leader.

Then came my journey with the twins; they were born at 34 weeks gestation. They were kept in hospital, one was in ICU initially and then in high care for a week. The second one was in high care for a month. They were taken to two different wards!

As both a mother and a medical doctor, I have always known that breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for a baby. It was not just a preference for me, it was a commitment. I was determined to make it work.

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.

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.

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.

My son, was born prematurely at 32 weeks, weighing 2.1kgs. He went to the NICU for oxygen and I started expressing my milk immediately.

What a day in the life looks like of a breastfeeding mom with a young baby who works a corporate job as a travelling sales representative.

I don't know what made me do it but I offered my breast again and he instantly latched on and started sucking.

INTERVIEW WITH A MOTHER BREASTFEEDING TRIPLETS Today, I have Tanyaradzwa Rimayi on the phone. Tanyah first made contact with me through La Leche League when she was still expecting. Today the babies are 5 months old and I am curious to hear about her breastfeeding journey so far. Katinka: Hallo Tanyah, tell us a little bit about yourself. Tanyah: Hallo! I am 25 years old, married and live in Marondera. My mom died when I was very young and I was raised by my father. Katinka

Surrounding myself with a village of people who fully understood breastfeeding and were able to support me was critical to my success.

From the minute we found out we were expecting another little miracle I decided I would do whatever it takes to breastfeed.

I haven't shared my story before as I feel some mommies have had it much harder, but I still feel that it might encourage others.