My Breastfeeding Journey Abroad: Germany

When my first baby came into this world, I never imagined that breastfeeding would become such a profound challenge. In that hospital room, far from home and everything familiar, I felt lost in a sea of emotions while my baby cried from hunger. The days in the hospital dragged on like an endless nightmare. Sophia was losing weight, and with every gram she lost, my confidence crumbled too, each cry feeling like hope slipping through my fingers.

I remember those endless nights vividly, trying again and again to get my baby to latch. I called the nurses repeatedly, hoping that this time it would work. But every failed attempt felt like a direct blow to my heart as a first-time mother. Eventually, formula became our lifeline. Still, every bottle reminded me of what I felt was my failure not because of the formula itself, but because I felt incapable of doing something that was supposed to be natural. Because, in the end, motherhood often comes wrapped in guilt, no matter what we do.

No one had prepared me for this whirlwind of emotions: a pure, unconditional love intertwined with a deep sense of helplessness.

Going home didn’t bring the relief I had imagined. Each day, I silently asked myself, “Why can’t I do something that should be instinctive?” My tears mixed with milk that wouldn’t flow, creating a quiet, bittersweet testimony of my frustration and of the immense love I felt for my daughter.

Yet in the midst of the darkness, I found a spark of hope. Facebook support groups, moderated by lactation consultants (unexpectedly so), became a lifeline. With their patient guidance and my determination, breastfeeding slowly began to work. Every small step forward felt like a silent victory, bringing me closer to the connection I longed for.

That experience changed me deeply. I went from being an insecure, doubtful mother to becoming a source of support for other women. My own struggle led me to train as a lactation consultant, and soon I found myself helping other mothers through their challenges. There are no words to describe the feeling of receiving a thank-you message from a mother who managed to breastfeed thanks to my support. Each small success helped heal those old wounds. I understood then that my struggle had not been in vain, it had become my purpose.

When my second daughter joined our lives, everything was different. Breastfeeding came naturally, reflecting the confidence and trust I had built along the way. I was no longer the insecure woman I once was; I was an empowered mother, confident in my body and in my ability to nourish my child.

This journey through motherhood and breastfeeding, far from my homeland, taught me that we are much stronger than we think. That a mother’s love can cross borders and overcome even the hardest challenges. And that our deepest struggles, painful as they may be, can transform into our greatest victories and into a way of reaching out to others walking the same path.

Being a mother abroad is like navigating unfamiliar waters. Every challenge, every sleepless night, every small win reveals an inner strength we never knew we had. To all the mothers far from home, fighting their battles in silence: you are not alone. Our strength grows with every shared story, with every small victory. Because together, we can become a lighthouse, lighting the way for those who come after us.