Breast feeding awarenesses shines light on the benefits of breast feeding. For babies, mothers and society it isa time to celebrate the connection, bonding and nourishment that breast feeding can bring. It is also a time and chance to acknowledge the real and hidden struggles that some parents face.

As a counsellor, I often hear about the experiences that do not fit the idealised picture of breast feeding. Latch issues, exhaustion, low supply, conflicting advice or the overwhelming weight of “getting it right “It is easy for feeding to become a source of anxiety, grief and shame.

The mother who has tried everything but couldn’t produce enough milk.

The mother who felt judged for combination feeding.

The mother who continued to feel pain and pushed through because stopping felt like a failure.

The mother who made a different choice and felt she could not say it out load.

This week, while we promote breast feeding, lets also make room for all parents’ voices and ensure all their feeding experiences are valid, and they are not alone in their struggles. Their mental health matters.