August 2025
When Resa Eustace, a registered nurse and certified midwife from St. Vincent and the Grenadines welcomed her first child, she chose to breastfeed and thought that it would be simple. But the first days of feeding her newborn became some of the most challenging moments of her life.
“I thought that breastfeeding was just taking my breast, putting it in my son's mouth, and he would just suck.
But I didn’t know the techniques to help him latch properly or stimulate my milk flow. It was very challenging, and at times, I would say it was even a depressive moment for me.”
Her breast milk took longer than expected to flow, in local parlance “it did not reach in as yet”, and because her newborn was not latching properly, he experienced low blood sugar levels, a complication she never anticipated.
“I wish I knew the importance and benefits of breastfeeding and had the skills earlier,” she said.
Now, as a certified midwife, she encourages new mothers to seek help and support without hesitation.
“You are not alone. Reach out to your midwife, your doctor, or other mothers who have experience. Get the support you need and don’t give up, help is there.”
