'I was breastfeeding dressed as a genie when he was six weeks old': Claire Sweeney laments returning to work too soon after son Jaxon's birth

By Ciara Farmer and Rebecca Davison for MailOnline

Published: 09:07 GMT, 7 September 2016 | Updated: 11:14 GMT, 7 September 2016

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She recently revealed she feared she would die in childbirth.

And Claire Sweeney has opened up further about her woes in the early stages of her son Jaxon's life, as she spoke to Lorraine Kelly on Wednesday morning about returning to work after his birth.

The 45-year-old Brookside star insisted it was 'too much' after she came back to perform in an Aladdin pantomime when he was just six-weeks-old - leading to her 'breastfeeding while dressed as a genie'.

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Too soon? Claire Sweeney talked to Lorraine on Wednesday morning about returning to work after having her first child

Claire was 43 when she had her first child, which led her to many fears surrounding the two-year-old's birth - including concern she would 'die in child birth'.

In her chat with Lorraine, the stunning star was asked if she felt her return to work was too soon, to which she replied: 'I did, I was breastfeeding dressed as a genie when he was six weeks old.

'It was too much. I didn't know any different. I have to pay my bills, it wasn't because I was desperate for the sparkle, but I have a mortgage to pay.'

When she spoke before about her work woes, she explained: 'My confidence was gone. I was overweight. I would have liked to have had longer than nine weeks off work.

Genie in a bottle: Claire Sweeney has opened up further about her woes in the early stages of her son Jaxon's life, as she spoke to Lorraine Kelly on Wednesday morning about returning to work after his birth

Radiant: The 45-year-old Brookside star insisted it was 'too much' after she came back to perform in an Aladdin pantomime when he was just six-weeks-old - leading to her 'breastfeeding while dressed as a genie'

Proud mummy: Claire was 43 when she had her first child, which led her to many fears surrounding the two-year-old's birth - including concern she would 'die in child birth'

'But I was a single parent. I was the sole provider at the time, so it was a case of needs must. People thought I must be desperate to get back on the stage but it wasn't the case.'

The Liverpudlian star shares Jaxon with her former partner Daniel Reilly, who she split with in June last year, yet is insistent the duo remain close.

She said: 'We're still really good friends, it's so important. Whatever differences you have, I love him and his family and Jaxson can see our friendship.'

Although she is a single mother, Claire revealed she does have help with looking after her son: 'I've still got my belly but he's two now. He comes everywhere with me and I do have help.

Honest account: In her chat with Lorraine, the stunning star was asked if she felt her return to work was too soon, to which she replied: 'I did, I was breastfeeding dressed as a genie when he was six weeks old

Helping hands: Although she is a single mother, Claire revealed she does have help with looking after her son: 'I've still got my belly but he's two now. He comes everywhere with me and I do have help'

'He's wonderful and he’s obsessed with cars, so [Chitty Chitty Bang Bang] is the best show for him.'

Last month, Claire appeared on Loose Women, where she revealed her fears she would not make it through the labour alive.

Talking to the panel, the singer and actress, said that she changed her will, fearful of leaving her baby without a mother.

She said: 'I was convinced I was going to die during childbirth. I had written my will 10 years ago but I changed it just before, in case'

To name or not to name? Claire also discussed her choice of moniker for her little lad, she said: 'I couldn't decide on Jackson or Jaxon

She said: 'I was convinced I was going to die during childbirth. I had written my will 10 years ago but I changed it just before, in case.'

Claire also discussed her choice of moniker for her little lad, she said: 'I couldn't decide on Jackson or Jaxon.

'When I googled Jackson, it came up with son of Jack, but Jaxon means son of God, so I went with that. My friends said it sounds like the name of a detergent though. I did consider the names Angel and Gabriel, too.'