Myra Mahbob, 34, compliance executive, mother of Muhammad Nabil Mohd Farid, eight, Nur Nisa, seven, Nur Irdina, four, and Muhammad Imran, 15 months, residing in Kuala Lumpur.

I breastfed all my kids and also three of my nephews! Breastfeeding did not start off easy for me. I had inverted nipples and had to go through a lot of products before I was successful. It’s great when the only thing that can soothe a crying baby is your breast. I dread the day that my son refuses to be breastfed anymore.

Elaine Tan, 34, writer, mother of Evan, 16 months, residing in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 

I didn’t enjoy breastfeeding that much because Evan could go on and on.  

In the first week, I had two nights of four-hour marathons. And being a first-time mum, I didn’t know what to do but to let him suckle to his heart’s content.  

This was a precursor of things to come as we had more of those episodes until he settled into one to two-hour feeds.  

Evan was a difficult baby; he was underweight and fell sick a lot. Though I had a lot of support from my husband, in the end I started mixing at month three and stopped pumping by month four.  

Looking back, I regretted it. If only I knew it gets easier, if only I was willing to sneak a bottle here and there so I could rest, if only I wasn’t so stubborn and uptight.  

It’s been 13 months since that day and I’m still wrecked with guilt.  

It hurts when other mums pass callous remarks about non-breastfeeding mums. I’ve been indirectly called selfish, among other things.  

So while it was a trying, confusing and tiring time, I would repeat it and stick with it given another chance.

B.J. Hercus, 33, managing director, mother of Kyla, nine, Zachary, five, and Ana, three, residing in Kuala Lumpur.

I breastfed my three kids for a total of five years. Now I don’t have to feed them dinner ever. That’s my husband’s job as I’ve more than done my share.   A nice thing about breastfeeding is that the boob is a cure-all – it fixes everything from soothing falls and hiccups, to easing blocked noses and giving sustenance when the kids are ill. It even provides comfort in new situations and helps the kids to settle down. All with the added bonus of zero prep time.

Celine Yong, 38, editor-in-chief, mother of Yan Kai, three, residing in Kuala Lumpur.

Breast milk is the best gift I have ever received and the best gift I have ever given away. I did it exclusively for five months, stopped breastfeeding by the 10th month (when I started to travel). I was hoping I could do it for a full year, but sadly I couldn’t.  

Bridget Emily Mowe, 28, singer, mother of Cheyenne Alessandra Michael, 23 months, residing in Kuala Lumpur.

I breastfed Cheyenne for 15 months. She was a pre-term baby and I was determined to get her developing right so I started to breastfeed the first hour she was born. After delivery I didn’t cope very well.

I was agitated and easily annoyed. I cried each time a visitor came to welcome my baby and someone carried her. I noticed that I would feel better whenever I breastfed. I felt connected to her. It was like we were tucked away in our own serene haven, no noise, no disturbing relatives or friends, just mother and child. The more breastfed, the less emotionally sensitive I felt and in time, I was back to my normal self. I am emotionally stable today because of my daughter.

Haslina Mohd Haris, 32, housewife, mother of Muhd Safiuddin Haikal, eight, Muhd Saifuddin Haider, six, Muhd Salehuddin Hazeeq, four, and Muhd Salehuddin Hareez, 16 months, residing in Kajang, Selangor.

I am thankful to God that I was able to breastfeed all my kids even though it wasn’t pleasant most of the time. I was always tired due to lack of sleep. I took vitamin supplements and drank a lot of water, milk and tea for breastfeeding mums to make sure my breastmilk supply will always be sufficient. There were times when I wanted to give up but the support I received from my husband and family gave me the strength to continue. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Farrah Diba A. Rahman, 31, housewife, mother of Nur Amira Humairah, five, Ammar Hazlam, four, Nur Aliyah Hana, two and Nur Arifa Haidah, 29 days, residing in Kuala Lumpur. 

“I breastfed all my kids and it’s like giving them life and soul. I know deep down inside that I have given the best for them as they are the best things that happened to me.”

Stacy Dong, 30, stay-at-home mum, mother of Zaine, two, residing in Kuala Lumpur. 

Breastfeeding didn’t come naturally for me; it definitely was a huge challenge. So for first-time mothers who are finding it hard to breastfeed, you are not the only one. If you persevere long enough, it will be an incredible journey for baby and you. My baby loves mummy’s milk and I don’t think I am ready to give it up anytime soon.

Adeline Chang, 31, business analyst, mother of Caitlin, one, residing in Christchurch, New Zealand.

It was challenging at first, but I’m glad I persevered. I live in New Zealand, and here, mothers are strongly urged to breastfeed if they can. Babies are put to the breast to suckle not long after birth and continue to do so until the milk comes in. I had a very hungry baby and had to sign a form to allow formula to be given to her. Thankfully that didn’t affect her and I breastfed for five months.  

Mazniha Mohd Ali Noh, 44, manager, mother of Lily Iman Jim Ilham, four, and Johan Iskandar Jim Ilham, two.

I breastfed Lily and Johan until both were two years old. It really helped us bond. They are settled, happy and easy babies. The best thing is the love that fills my heart every time I look down at their faces whilst breastfeeding. It’s an awesome feeling!

Lum Suet Yi, 33, analyst, mother of Sean, 10 months, residing in Penang.

I breastfeed for seven months. I’m lucky that the company I work for has a very strong support group of mothers. We have a mummy room, which is always full with breastfeeding mothers. There are a lot of mothers in this company who breastfed for more than a year.

Jeanette Lee, 34, admininistrator, mother of Ethan, six, and Joelle, three, residing in Edmonton, Canada.

I breastfed both my kids; Ethan for two years and it took me three weeks to wean him off (heartbreaking for both of us) as it is his “comfort” food anytime of the day. As for my daughter, Joelle, I breastfed her for one and a half years. Weaning was still a painful process, but it only took me a week. I had my babies in the US and we lived there and in Canada. They had very experienced lactation consultants in the hospital to guide me and a home-visitation nurse who followed up on my breastfeeding progress when I got home.