The pressures and struggles of motherhood are well documented in the media, with countless films and television series following mothers as they try to get to grips with sleepless nights, changing nappies and quieting their adorable little ones.

But an issue with less coverage is that of breastfeeding, and the difficulties many mothers face in trying to perform the most natural of tasks with their baby.

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust run a number of breastfeeding support groups across the borough, to give mums the chance to come together and have one-to-one consultations with professionals, as well as to meet one another, socialise and share their stories in a supportive atmosphere.

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, I was invited to meet some of the mums at a drop-in group at Hope Corner Community Centre in Mays Lane, Barnet, where the sessions double-up as play groups and breastfeeding clinics, so mothers can continue to be a part of the group long after they have received the support they need.

One mum from Potters Bar, Kathryn Ellis, told me how her now eight-month old son, James, spent his first nine days in a neo-natal unit due to low blood sugar.

Kathryn struggled at first to produce colostrum, the fluid produced after birth, but with the help from staff at Barnet Birth Centre was able to express milk while James was in the unit.

However her struggles did not end hear, as Kathryn was unable to breastfeed James after they went home due to problems with him latching.

She said: "I felt like a failing mother. I would continue to express to feed him and just felt like I was a cow or something."

Times Series:

It was not until she discovered the support group and met Cheryl Revill, a breastfeeding support worker with the CLCHT.

Cheryl noticed that there was something amiss with James' tongue, and worked with Kathryn to get him referred for a procedure for a posterior tongue-tie at the Royal Free Hospital by the time he was just nine weeks old.

Kathryn said: "It is really down to people like Val at Barnet Birth Centre and Cheryl at the group. It is a really beneficial service; I felt very well supported and listened to and this type of service needs to be here."

But Kathryn's is not the only story like this: Cheryl was inspired to become a support worker after she had problems breastfeeding her son, Frankie.

She said: "It had never crossed my mind before [becoming a support worker] but when Frankie was four months old I went to a group myself and found it so helpful. It was such a turning point for me and other mums."

For Cheryl, she found the social aspects of the group very comforting while taking care of such a small child.

"Having a child can be quite isolating at first. It is so important to meet other mums.

"When I accessed the support myself it was so helpful for me and when he was nine months old I decided to train and help other mothers."

Another mum, Nadia Budiasa, from Muswell Hill, brings her two month old daughter Ni Luh to the centre each week.

Nadia also struggled to breastfeed as Ni Luh had a tongue-tie, and has found the group really encouraging and supportive.

She said: "I feel more confidence with breastfeeding here because if it is your first one you need people to tell you you're doing the right thing.

"I can explain our story and see examples of other people so you know it is not just you, so you feel a bit better."

According to Cheryl and Iman Hikal, who oversees groups across the borough, it is the hope that by attending groups such as this, mothers will feel less worried about speaking out about their struggles and make breastfeeding better understood and a subject more openly discussed.

The free service is open to all mums and, as this group is both a play group and support group, mothers can bring their babies to socialise and play with the toys even if they do not have particular worries over breastfeeding.

To find out more and get connected to the group, join the Facebook group or contact Iman on 07815 717 055 or via email.