Paralympian Jessica Smith tandem feeding her two children

Paralympian Jessica Smith has spoken candidly about the struggles of breastfeeding her two young children at the same time.

The mother-of-two – who gave birth to her baby son Reza Raymond on the evening of November 1 – said tandem nursing was leaving her exhausted.

Taking to Instagram, the former Australian swimmer – who was born with one arm -admitted she was feeling ‘guilty’ that her two-year-old daughter was still opting to be breastfed.

Paralympian Jessica Smith has spoken out about the struggles of breastfeeding her two-year-old daughter Ayla and baby son Reza at the same time 

The former Australian swimmer admitted she was feeling 'guilty' that her two-year-old daughter Ayla was still opting to be breastfed

The former Australian swimmer admitted she was feeling ‘guilty’ that her two-year-old daughter Ayla was still opting to be breastfed

Sharing a heartfelt photograph of herself, the mother can be seen with a cookie in her mouth while juggling her daughter and son on the couch. 

‘Tandem feeding… I can’t say that I love this. I definitely never thought I’d be feeding two babies. The reality is, it’s exhausting,’ she wrote.

‘As much as I wish Ayla was no longer interested, there is a part of me that feels guilty.’

Speaking Kidspot, Smith said her toddler Ayla was self-weaning in the weeks leading up to her baby brother’s arrival.

‘To be honest I was relieved,’ she said. 

‘I had breastfed her for just over two years and I was exhausted. The thought of having to continue feeding her while also feeding a newborn was daunting.

‘Feeding two babies is very demanding mentally, physically and nutritionally so I try to eat a lot of small meals throughout the day. Now more than ever as I’m providing invaluable nutrients for my kids.’

Paralympian Jessica Smith gave birth to her son named Reza last month (pictured together)

Paralympian Jessica Smith gave birth to her son named Reza last month (pictured together)

The mother (pictured pregnant with her daughter Ayla and her husband Hamid Salamati) welcomed her second child last month

The mother (pictured pregnant with her daughter Ayla and her husband Hamid Salamati) welcomed her second child last month

Her latest post comes after Ms Smith and her husband Hamid Salamati welcomed their newborn son Reza weighing 4.1 kilogram.

The former athlete shared the exciting news with a touching photograph of herself cradling her son in hospital.

Explaining the meaning behind her baby’s name, she said: ‘Reza means contentment and satisfaction. Raymond is my dad’s name.’

Moments before his arrival, Ms Smith said she endured excruciating pain when she was in labour.

‘I tried to be the cool, calm, collected second time mum… so I stayed home most of the day not wanting to arrive at the hospital too early,’ she said.

‘My only “birth plan” was to have an epidural. But of course no birth plan ever goes accordingly.’

Moments before her son's arrival, Ms Smith (pictured with daughter Ayla) said begged for an epidural to relieve the ­agonising pain but she ended up giving birth naturally

Moments before her son’s arrival, Ms Smith (pictured with daughter Ayla) said begged for an epidural to relieve the ­agonising pain but she ended up giving birth naturally

Ms Smith (pictured with her daughter kissing her baby bump) - who was born with a missing forearm - described her second childbirth 'empowering... an experience like no other' 

Ms Smith (pictured with her daughter kissing her baby bump) – who was born with a missing forearm – described her second childbirth ’empowering… an experience like no other’ 

Before before giving birth naturally, Ms Smith said she ‘begged’ for an epidural to relieve the ­agonising pain.

‘I begged, pleaded, screamed for pain relief… But it was too late. But can honestly say.. the best experience of my life,’ she said.

‘We arrived at the hospital at 5.15pm and my gorgeous prince was delivered naturally at 6.14pm.’

Ms Smith – who was born with a missing forearm – described her second childbirth ’empowering… an experience like no other.’ 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk