We know there are a lot of reasons why moms choose to or not to breastfeed. It’s not a decision that moms take lightly. This week is meant to showcase the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of breastfeeding!
Here’s what to expect with the first year and beyond!
Moments after my son was born the reality of nursing scared me to death. I was worried about knowing how to nurse, my milk supply, my son’s desire to nurse, nursing in public, how long I would be able to breastfeed, etc. etc.
More than a year later my son is still nursing and I can look back and laugh at those initial fears. I’m not sure when we will be done nursing, I go back and forth every day, but I am thankful for the success we have had.
After the first 24 hours…
- My son had a great latch and the nurse promised a successful nursing relationship!
- I asked the nurse over and over, “How will I know when my milk comes in?” She just smiled and laughed.
- I worried about not feeding my son often enough so I fed him every two hours and pushed myself past exhaustion.
After the first week…
- My milk came in and I KNEW! I guess the nurse was right.
- No one told me how painful breastfeeding would be.
- My son was a strong nurser!
- I programed the lactation consultant’s number on my phone and called her daily.
- I spent my time either nursing or pumping.
- Trying to learn how to nurse with family and friends around was really difficult and very overwhelming. So nursing became my excuse to leave the room and have a moment alone with my son.
- No one told me how excruciatingly painful it would be.
- Breastfeeding was my excuse to eat, and eat, and eat!
- My nursing pillow and the giant water bottle from the hospital became my best friend.
- I lived with a nursing cover on… it became my new fashion statement.
- No one told me how difficult it was to use a nursing cover.
- Did I mention that I was angry because no one told me how painful nursing would be?!?!?!
- I paid way too much for an app to help me track my nursing schedule.
- I needed encouragement from family and friends because I just wanted to give up.
- That toe-curling pain my friends finally told me about was true!
After the first month…
- The pain did subside and nursing became an intimate time with my son.
- I was proud to be my son’s source of nutrition.
- I was blessed to be able to care for my son in such a special way.
- I was amazed by God’s perfect design.
- I vowed to tell all my pregnant friends about the initial pain of nursing and promised to encourage them the best I could.
- I gave up on a nursing bras…
After six months…
- I found myself still wearing a nursing cover often, sometimes as I walked through the grocery store!
- My son was still a strong nurser!
- It was difficult to introduce solid foods because my son would much rather nurse.
- All that frozen milk went down the drain when my son refused a bottle.
- I packed away my pump.
- Nursing was still my excuse to leave the room.
- Breastfeeding was still my excuse to eat more than I really should!
- Nursing pillow?!?! What? No need!
- I can nurse anywhere, literally!
- Nursing became my saving grace on our first airplane ride.
- My son still woke up to nurse during the night and I always gave in, it was our special time together.
After a year…
- I still get nervous to nurse in public.
- My son likes to nurse too often!
- One day I decide, “This is it, we are done!” And the next day I cried and nursed my son as long as possible.
- Mommy guilt is VERY real no matter what your breastfeeding story is.
- Nursing became my saving grace on our second airplane ride.
- When my son reaches inside my shirt in public, I’m mortified.
I am in awe of the design God has for me and my son and the special relationship we have. We first bonded through breastfeeding and it is still a special time of our day. I know everyone’s breastfeeding story is different and I celebrate with all mommy’s who have done their very best!
:: As a veteran breastfeeding mom, what is the ONE piece of advice you would give a new breastfeeding mama? ::
