Meet Alanna—a working mother of two girls, Luna (7) and Sif (11 months), navigating life between cultures, cities, and the subtle tensions of being a modern mother. From initial uncertainties about breastfeeding to pumping at work while fielding legal emails, Alanna is the embodiment of resilience and evolution. We sat down with her to hear her story of rediscovery, quiet empowerment, and the unexpected joy of breastfeeding the second time around.
Q: Before you had your first child, Luna, what were your thoughts about breastfeeding?
Alanna: I didn’t think about it that much. I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both of my parents worked full time in a busy city, I personally did not see a lot of breastfeeding around me. My mom didn’t breastfeed, and it wasn’t something we talked about. However, I had friends, my younger sister and several aunts and cousins who breastfed their children in my earlier adult life and so eventually I had more exposure to it. So, when I moved away from the US and to Norway and had Luna, I just thought: "This is what people do here, so I’ll try."
Q: What was that first experience like?
Alanna: Luna and I managed, but it became a job. Around four months, I started pumping so Emil, my husband, could help. But Luna developed a preference for the bottle. Suddenly I found myself stuck pumping all the time and feeding a baby who didn’t want to nurse. The convenience turned into a trap. I didn’t realize how bottle-feeding can slowly erode your supply. In hindsight, I wish I had held onto those quiet night feeds—even just one a day.
Q: How has it been different with Sif?
Alanna: Everything. I’m calmer, more confident. With Luna, every cry felt like a crisis: Was I making enough milk? Was she eating enough? Now with Sif, it’s like, "Here’s one breast or the other, take your pick." I know her cues. She’s expressive, clear, and confident in her needs. She even points to the breast she wants. That’s our rhythm. I feel more connected and present.
Q: You're back at work now. How are you handling pumping?
Alanna: I pump at my desk. It’s wireless, discreet. My colleagues are two dads, and they’re completely supportive. I was nervous at first, but they just kept talking to me like nothing had changed, while I pumped and worked. I water the plants while pumping. I answer emails. It’s part of my day. I think visibility is important. If you can nurse in public, why not pump? Doing it in a professional legal office felt bold at first, but now it feels completely natural. And honestly, empowering. I'm making space for myself in a context where I might once have felt I didn’t belong. That’s something I’m proud of.
Q: How is your husband, Emil, involved this time around?
Alanna: He has been able to do more, due to having paternity leave this time around. Now with our roles reversed; him at home and me at work, he and Sif have been able to develop their own rituals and routines together. I also have firmer boundaries regarding bottle feedings. If I’m home, Sif nurses. No bottles. That’s been my one rule. And he respects that. When I am away, he feeds her. And now that we are all living in the same city, we have his mom’s help which has been absolutely incredible. Having a proper village this time around, was-is truly invaluable in this new work-life-mom balancing act.
Q: What did you wish you knew before your first breastfeeding experience?
Alanna: That it would be hard. That your breasts can hurt, that your baby might cry and you won’t know why. And that you have to fight for it—not in an aggressive way, but you have to be patient with yourself. Breastfeeding is not always intuitive, and large breasts added another layer of complexity for me. But the second time, I was ready for the discomfort. And I chose to lean into it.
Q: You seem to be truly enjoying it this time.
Alanna: I am. Sif lights up when I get home. We have this little ritual, and it's ours. She still breastfeeds to sleep, and sometimes even wakes up just to nurse a bit and go back down. It’s cozy. She’s the last baby I’ll have, and I want to soak it in.
Q: Have you done anything special to commemorate this journey?
Alanna: Yes! I had a breastmilk pendant made. It includes my milk, Sif’s umbilical cord, and flowers from my wedding bouquet. I added a silver frame so it would feel more permanent. It’s so tiny, but it holds so much meaning. A keepsake for a chapter that changed me.
Q: Any advice to other parents?
Alanna: Let go of perfection. If you want to breastfeed, try. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay. If it does, enjoy it. But don’t measure your worth in ounces or hours. Measure it in connection, and in kindness to yourself. That’s the only metric that really matters.
At caramma, we believe every breastfeeding journey deserves to be heard, respected, and celebrated. Alanna’s story is not only a testament to the power of experience and self-trust, but also a beautiful reminder that the second time around can bring healing, clarity, and joy.