Alisha was sobbing in the waiting room with her baby when a woman approached her.

In motherhood, sometimes the most powerful moments happen in the most unexpected places — like a shared waiting room at a lactation consultant's office.

At least, that was the case for former Bachelor in Paradise star Alisha Aitken-Radburn.

In an inspiring Instagram post, Alisha made a raw admission about her own breastfeeding journey and recounted the moment a stranger approached her while crying in the specialist's waiting room.

Since welcoming her daughter, Poppy, Alisha has been open about her experience of motherhood, and the post struck a chord with so many women online.

Here, republished with permission, is Alisha's candid account of her personal challenge with breastfeeding.

Watch Alisha Aitken-Radburn and husband Glenn Smith's wedding video. Article continues after video.

"Three months ago I sat in the waiting room of my lactation consultant's office with Poppy on my lap holding back tears. I failed and couldn't stop them coming.

The waiting room was a shared space with a group physio class and I buried my head into Poppy to avoid this group of lovely women seeing me sob. They saw and immediately one of them came over to me as the tears rolled all over me and the baby. She gave me a massive hug. I told her 'it's just so hard' and she just held me and said 'it's fucked'.

It was a moment of solidarity like no other and I am just so indebted to the kindness of that woman.

It was my second appointment with the lactation consultant (LC). She taught me so much in the first appointment and I was crying because I thought it was useless I'd turned up again because I still couldn't breastfeed.

Alisha opened up about her breastfeeding journey. Image: Instagram/alisha.aitkenradburn

I thought breastfeeding just happened and I felt like a failure when it didn't.

I wanted to share this because 1) that woman who hugged me rules and I wanted to remember her compassion 2) because this week marked my last week of pumping before transitioning fully to formula.

I no longer feel like a failure — I feel proud.

In the intervening months I've realised that everyone's breastfeeding journey is different (hell everyone's baby journey is different) and they're all valid, beautiful and important. As long as your baby is receiving love and care each day, we're doing a great job.

Alisha gave birth to daughter Poppy in October 2024. Image: Instagram/alisha.aitkenradburn

Pumping sucked too at times but I stuck with it and we had four solid months.

I didn't quite make my goal of six months but now we've transitioned I feel like a fog has lifted.

I feel so much more present and think I'm a better mum for it. So if you're in the depths of pumping and the only thing stopping you from transitioning is that awful feeling of guilt, allow yourself to prioritise your mental health.

Women are rockstars, I'm so in awe. Women who breastfeed, giving their whole bodies over to their little person, women who try their best, persisting through difficulty and women who follow their gut, making the best decision for them and their bub."

Alisha's story was originally published to her Instagram and is republished here with permission.

Feature Image: Instagram/alisha.aitkenradburn.