Can you still breastfeed with a baby in SCBU?

When your baby ends up in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) it can be hugely distressing. Not only is it difficult or impossible to breastfeed your baby if they're hooked up to monitors or in special incubators, but the stress of it could have an effect on your breastmilk supply. Yet poorly babies need the goodness breastmilk gives even more than normal. So how do you do it?

This real mum shared her experience with us.

I am a mum of 4 children and 1 angel. I have breastfed my last 3 babies each of them after a c- section. The 1st 2 were ok although I had all the normal problems of cracked and very sore nipples, odd bouts of mastitis and blocked ducts.

My youngest was rushed to SCBU not long after birth as she had breathing difficulties. She ended up being on CPAP ventillation for 5 days and due to that couldn't breast feed at all. I was given a breast pump when she was about 12 hours old (much earlier than normal but as I was an experienced breast feeder they let me start earlier as I insisted she had no formula) and I pumped from then till she was 5 days old at which point she was able to start to feed from me directly.

My milk came in at 48 hours after birth with no problems and I had lots!! I could fill 4 100ml bottles every 4 hours! Once she was able to feed from me directly she went from totally being tube fed to losing the tube within 12 hours and did really well. I am not sure if the expressing helped or the fact I had been breast feeding my youngest at the time until 5 months pregnant, but I had no sore or cracked nipples this time round and no other problems at all.

Lottie is now 18 months, big for her age and still breast feeding.

Sally xx.

It's great to hear inspirational stories like this. If you have a similar story to tell, please share it with us. We really want to let mums know what other real mums do to help them in their breastfeeding journey. 

Don't forget to check out our range of nursing bras!

The benefits of breastfeeding - what real mums think

There are plenty of experts and reams of medical papers citing the benefits of breastfeeding. But we asked some real mums what they thought the benefits were. Bonding is a big one, but there's much more too. See what these real mums have to say:

Bonding ... and just get up & go!

I have a daughter who is now 18 weeks and I would say that breastfeeding has been a fantastic bonding experience for both of us. I worried at first that it wouldn't be enough as you can't see what is happening, but she has put the right amount of weight on which makes me think "Wow I did that!" I think my biggest worry was breastfeeding in public - getting funny looks from passers by. I have to say this has not been the case and I have felt completely at ease feeding her whenever and wherever I go. I have also found it really easy to just 'get up and go' no bottles to clean, prepare and warm - so easy when you just want to get on with enjoying life with your little one!

Clare Wilkinson

A great start in life, bonding, pregnancy weightloss ...and the chance to catch up on tv!

"I'd never really thought that much about breastfeeding - throughout my pregnancy, with so many things to consider, feelings on how to feed my baby didn't really feature until the last month.  However, coming from a country where the proportion of women breastfeeding their babies is so much higher than the UK (I think it's around 90% of women breastfeed for 6 months), I'd assumed it was the natural way to go.  Coupled with the fact that I'd had chronic asthma and eczema as a child, by the time I approached my due date, I was determined that I would breastfeed my baby for the recommended six months.

Well.....we're nearing six months and I don't intend to stop for at least another six months.  After a quick, natural birth, Joseph latched on within 20 minutes and has fed beautifully ever since.  We've had no problems - no painful engorgement, no cracked nipples, no mastitis, it's just been lovely.  I wouldn't say easy, Joe fed every 1.5 - 2 hours in the beginning and only now at 5.5 months does he sleep through the night without feeds.  He still feeds every 3 hours during the day for at least half an hour at a time, but I see it as a good opportunity to catch up on America's Next Top Model (don't judge me!)

I feel so lucky at having has such a good ride with breastfeeding, especially when so many of my fellow mums have given up because of numerous obstacles.  Breastfeeding offers so many benefits - the knowledge that you're giving your baby the best start in life, a BIG helping hand in pregnancy weight loss, and most of all, the chance to start the lifelong bond with your child."

Sarah Newman

Share your breastfeeding stories with us below! And don't forget that we have a range of nursing bras and tops to help you on your breastfeeding journey.