Breastfeeding Experience - So Far
I wanted to share my stories with all moms out there. Maybe you will be able to relate to my feelings or it will serve as a means of support, make you a laugh, or invoke nothing at all. Whatever...I just wanted to share with you. So here we go.
I knew that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it as the best source of nutrition for babies and I decided that breastfeeding was a priority for me and that I would give it a shot experience the bond. I understand that it is not for everyone and respect all feeding decisions!!
I had a c-section and was so worried that breastfeeding would be unsuccessful. Thank goodness my son latched on from the beginning (within hours after delivery) without any issues, it made the entire experience much easier. I can only imagine the added stress this can bring. Friends have shared their pain!!!
The first few weeks were a little rough. The sore nipples and engorgement only lasted a week so that was bearable and the Lansinoh cream helped. Newborns need to eat every 2 or 3 hours (nights included). Weirdly enough my adrenaline kicked in so my fatigue was bearable. It was like a job...what side did I feed him on last, how long ago did he eat, should I switch positions, is he getting enough, I just got done the last feeding, etc. But the job also provided satisfaction every time I glanced at his adorable face. I also felt constricted to the house since I was not comfortable with the public feeding or even just taking our itty bitty baby out yet. That was just me. Sometimes it was a little uncomfortable with my in-laws who were not familiar with nursing babies. I was/am very discreet about feeding my son but sometimes the situation was a bit uncomfortable. My husband explained that it was an important decision that we made for our son and overall they were supportive. All of these things only lasted a month or two and obviously tiny milestones that we could overcome.
Next it was time to go back to work...UGHHHH. 13 weeks just wasn't enough. So 2 weeks before the dreaded day I began pumping at night so that I could store my milk. PS highly recommend pumping 2 to 3 weeks prior...maybe not every day but enough to start a "collection" if you will. This was my saving grace. So it was finally time to return and low and behold I was required to travel to a semi-local client site (1.5 hour train commute each way). So here I go...sad and guilty to be leaving my precious baby and now lugging my work bag, with laptop and my pumping bag. Not the best commute. Pumping at work is definitely a challenge for me to plan around my responsibilities and meetings and has been an "interesting" experience. It was weird to know that everyone is aware of what you are doing and in my case, the first pump I bought was somewhat noisey so everyone could probably hear me. Not to mention the worry that someone could walk in on you even though I would lock the door and baracade myself in the room with a chair. Uncomfortable wasn't the word. Then I was storing in the communal fridge (in a brown bag of course) and obsessed over the thought that someone may see my mommy milk, obsurd I know, but these were the thoughts in my crazy mommy mind. I was so nervous that the first few days I wasn't getting more than 2 oz each session which was 4 oz less than usual. It was discouraging but I stuck with it and in time the process got much easier and quicker.
Eight months later I am still breastfeeding. I only need to pump once a day now while I am at work, Yahooooo!!! My new dillema is how long I want to continue. I am trying for the year and wondering if I want to continue for a few months past that day. Right now I am thinking just for his morning and night feeding...I am not sure and I have heard opinions from both sides. I just need to mull it around for a few more weeks and make the decision. I would love to hear your experiences on this.
Anyway...I apologize for the long novel, justy couldn't help myself. Thanks for listening and feel free to share any stories or moments whether formula or nursing.
Laughable & Loveable Moments:
****Around 4 months my son seemed to think that my boobs were microphones...he was always making noises into them***
****When my son gets a little too hungry and I can't whip them out quickly enough he will go for the beauty marks on my belly or try to access them through my shirt****
****During his bedtime feeding my son always tickles my arm...so cute****
- Rose
Click to add these tags to your Interests:
Read more: 
1 Comment
I loved what you wrote and was remembering all my breastfeeding efforts with my daughter. She is 3 now but when I was pregnant I decided that I was going to try breastfeeding too. She wasn't in this world for 30 minutes before the nurses had her attached to me. Unfortunately for me she never was able to latch on properly. The first 3 weeks were a nightmare. I was determined to breastfeed but it just wasn't working for me. I knew I had to try something else but was battling the need for her to nurse. At the 3 week mark my husband stepped in with a formula bottle to give me a break and to get her to stop crying from hunger. I completely freaked out when I saw the bottle. In my postpartum state I irrationally thought he was poisioning her with it. We knew then that breastmilk was our only option. He took my hysterical crying face into his hands and asked me what was more important...that she nurse from me or just get the breastmilk anyway we can get it into her. I said I didn't care how she got it as long as it was only breastmilk. So he drove 40 miles to the nearest Babies R Us to buy me a good pump. From that day on I pump and she got bottles full of the good stuff. I went back to work at 6 weeks and thankfully was the 5th mother on the job breastfeeding so I wasn't imbarassed about people knowing what I was doing. I was determined to do it for her first year too but at her first birthday I didn't have it in me to stop. It became such a routine to me that I had a hard time stopping. I finally stopped when she was 15 months old. My sister had a baby and wanted to try the pump. That was the incentive I needed to stop otherwise I may still be doing it. (kidding) Anyway - I applaud your efforts and you should be proud of yourself. I know breastfeeding isn't for everyone, but for me it was EVERYTHING!!
Jodi
Smile, it increases your face value!
Jodi
Smile, it increases your face value! :)
Jodi