Mother of Tomás (4) and Constanza (9 months), and a nurse, when Paulina faced the difficulties of breastfeeding and could not access help, she decided to study the subject and become certified as a lactation consultant to support other mothers. This is how her Instagram account @bendita_lactancia was born, a space where “all breastfeedings are welcome”. Along the way, when her eldest son was 10 months old, he was diagnosed with Autism, another of the topics she addresses in her community.
In this questionnaire, Paulina shares with us a little of her story as a mother, her fears and lessons learned, the lessons that breastfeeding has taught her (her own and as a consultant), and above all , honest and judgment-free motherhood.
The questionnaire from Mamás Mateas to Paulina Campos
Motherhood has made me a stronger, more patient, more flexible woman; it has brought out the best version of myself.
As a mom, I'm great at: cooking and pampering them.
As a mom, I'm terrible at: going to the park, it's just so annoying! Hahaha
Something I wish I had been told (before becoming a mother) about breastfeeding: honestly, everything. I don't think I knew anything about breastfeeding before becoming a mother and I would have loved to have given it the importance it had. I gave it to it later, but I would have loved to have informed myself and prepared myself beforehand.
The act of breastfeeding is: powerful. Creating a fluid from your own blood that feeds, nourishes and provides benefits to your baby, coming out of your body, is powerful.
Formula feeding is (or was for you): a huge relief, that was for me. With my second daughter, breastfeeding became very difficult because of her food allergy. She was having a really hard time and so was I, and formula was a huge relief for everyone.
The first time I breastfed I felt: nothing very romantic. I didn't feel anything that I had been told and described the first time. It was hard for me to learn to enjoy it because the beginning of my first breastfeeding was not easy. Afterwards I learned to enjoy it over time and to love it.
My must-have breastfeeding gadget (or accessory) is: hot and cold compresses, by far. They are useful for many occasions throughout the entire breastfeeding period.
Are you a routine person or do you go with the flow of day to day life? I am the least routine person there is. My poor oldest son, who is autistic and loves routine, has had to get used to this very disorganized, planless, day to day mom.
In motherhood, attachment is defined by: the emotional and affective relationship that is built day by day with the children. It is not defined by the way I feed them, or how I take them for walks, but by the constancy of being there supporting them, giving them love and security every day.
What I said I would never do as a mother and now I do: let them watch TV. Forgive me, but sometimes I turn on the TV so I can do other things.
Best advice I've ever received for motherhood: enjoy motherhood with its ups and downs. It's hard to be a mom and of course we're going to make mistakes, but I think those "bad" days also have a lot of learning to offer, they're an opportunity to get to know ourselves in this new stage and keep improving to be the best version of ourselves for them.
Best breastfeeding advice I give to other moms: make it a decision. An informed decision, but a decision. If you feel comfortable with breastfeeding, that's great, and if you don't feel so comfortable, look for alternatives. There are more ways to feed our babies today, and our mental health is just as important as our babies' health.
My most unpopular opinion about breastfeeding: not all mothers are comfortable with breastfeeding, and that is a reality that we need to start respecting.
