CLIENT INTERVIEWS: Christiana’s Journey

On the New Little Life channel, we recently heard from Christiana, a mother from Switzerland who has been part of our Pumping for Working Moms program. Christiana’s journey, like so many other working moms, was filled with challenges around breastfeeding, pumping, and balancing work. Her determination to continue providing breast milk for her baby, despite being told to stop, is truly inspiring.

(This post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)

(You can also listen to this interview in podcast format, here!)

Struggling to Continue Breastfeeding

Christiana’s story began like many others. She gave birth to her son, Noi, and initially, breastfeeding seemed to be going well. However, around the four-week mark, Noi stopped gaining weight. This is where the challenges started.

Concerned, Christiana took Noi to the doctor, who recommended stopping breastfeeding and switching to formula. But Christiana wasn’t ready to give up so easily.

“I didn’t want to do that,” she said. “I asked for help… but no one was able to help me.”

A Lack of Support for Breastfeeding and Pumping

Christiana sought help from lactation consultants, but none were able to offer the support she needed. Both LCs advised her to stop breastfeeding and focus on pumping, but despite following their advice, she was still struggling.

“I was pumping, but I was only getting like 20 to 30 milliliters each time, and my breasts were full,” she explained.

After reaching out for help multiple times, she was still left with more questions than answers.

“Everyone was telling me to stop breastfeeding… but how do I pump if you’re going to have me stop feeding at the breast?”

Finding the Right Support

It wasn’t until Christiana discovered New Little Life that she started finding the answers she needed.

“I found you because you had a review about the Ardo Alysa,” she shared. Intrigued by the review, Christiana joined our program. “I tried to pump alone for one or two weeks, and then I joined the program.”

Christiana’s experience is a common one—many mothers face a lack of support when it comes to pumping, especially outside the United States. She highlighted how difficult it can be to find help, especially in Switzerland.

“It’s hard to find help in Switzerland,” she said. “Everyone was telling me to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula.”

But Christiana didn’t give up. Her motivation? “My husband says I’m stubborn,” she said with a laugh. “But I didn’t want to be one of the mothers that give up as well.”

Turning Things Around: Getting Help and Reaching Goals

Once Christiana joined the program, things started to turn around. She quickly went through the course materials, learning all she could about pumping and milk supply.

“I think I did the whole program in two days,” she said.

With newfound knowledge and support, she started making significant improvements!

“By mid-December, I stopped pumping and could breastfeed exclusively again,” she proudly shared.

It was a long road, but after months of hard work, Christiana was able to achieve her goal of exclusively breastfeeding her son.

Continuing the Journey as a Working Mom

Now, at 10 months, Christiana continues to breastfeed and pump while balancing her career.

“I work two to three days from home and two to three days in the office, so I’m pumping two or three days a week,” she said. “Usually, he doesn’t drink all the milk I send, so I use the leftover milk to make his dinner.”

Christiana has found her rhythm, adjusting her pumping schedule to fit her work life. She shared some key changes she made early on, which helped her pump more efficiently.

“The flange sizes were really important,” she said. “I also learned to pump every three to four hours instead of every two hours, and it worked.”

Advice for Other Working Moms

Christiana’s journey is one of perseverance and determination, and her story serves as a source of inspiration for other working moms.

When asked if she had any advice, she shared, “Believe that you can do it. It’s difficult, but it’s not impossible.”

She also emphasized the importance of getting the right support and not giving up on breastfeeding just because it’s hard.

Christiana’s story is a reminder that with the right support and mindset, it’s possible to overcome even the toughest breastfeeding and pumping challenges. She is a testament to the power of resilience and determination, and her journey shows that it’s possible to continue breastfeeding while working, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

If you’re struggling with breastfeeding or pumping and need support, consider reaching out for help. As Christiana showed, sometimes all it takes is the right guidance to turn things around.

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For those interested in learning more about our Pumping for Working Moms program, we offer holistic coaching to help moms find balance and peace in their breastfeeding and work lives. If you’re ready for support, apply today.