New mum Amanda Byram opened up on her struggle to breastfeed baby Phoenix in public settings, which is something we’re sure many new mums struggle to adjust to at first. The presenter shared a picture of herself and baby Phoenix, and revealed that what the camera captured was far from reality.
Posting to her story on World Breastfeeding day, she wrote, “This picture tells a bigger story.”
“I had been so anxious about being out anywhere I wasn’t familiar with where I could breastfeed in the event that Phoenix got to a point of needing boob desperately.”
Explaining how she overcame the challenge, Amanda revealed she had to push herself out of her comfort zone and experiment by breastfeeding in random places; “My sister made me experiment by going out of my comfort zone and sit on a random street step to feed when he cried for boob even in the rain.”
“It made me relax so much more knowing it doesn’t matter where I am – all he needs is me, my boobs and I (apologise to the person whose front step I hijacked for 20 minutes).”
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The Dublin native also shared a reel of pictures and video, dedicating the post to all the mamas. Writing, “World breast feeding in public day! I know I’m a day late (pretty standard for me these days!) but better late than never for a message as powerful as breastfeeding in public.”
Here’s to mamas being given the chance to do one of the most natural things in the world without shame or embarrassment! #worldbreastfeedinginpublicday”
Amanda and her husband Julian Okines welcomed baby Phoenix in November 2021. Posting a picture on Instagram of their intertwining hands Amanda wrote, “And then there was you….”
“I’m so overjoyed, full of love and bursting with happiness to be able to share with you that @julianokines and I have welcomed our incredible son, Phoenix Blaze Byram Okines into the big wide, wonderful world.”
“What a privilege that he entrusted us to nurture and guide his little soul through the endless possibilities of life and we are eternally grateful to him for choosing us to be his parents.”
Amanda also opened up about her fertility issues in the caption of her post announcing baby Phoenix. Writing; “our fertility journey has been long and we know only too well the heartbreak of the hope that turned to hopelessness, the elation that turned to devastation and the strain putting this often-secretive journey before your job, your friends, and your life.”
“I know many brave parents-in-waiting who, like us, have struggled for a long time, so today we share this magical news in the hope it can inspire and offer a light at the end of the tunnel. You are powerful warriors, I know your pain, and I see you. We send you all the strength you need to tackle your journeys…|
“Now that he is finally here, we realise we have never been more ready or felt more mentally, physically, and emotionally equipped to be his mummy and daddy.”
Words by Slaine McKenna
