31 Days of Breastfeeding Journeys | Day 14 | World Breastfeeding Week 2016
"I have 3 daughters and am currently nursing my youngest. We are going on 11 months! In total I have nursed for 38 months over the past 8 years.
My first daughter, I nursed for 8 months. It started when I had an emergency caesarian because the doctor wasn't able to monitor her and was afraid she was in distress. Luckily she wasn't and I was able to nurse starting in the recovery room. I supplemented with formula starting when she was 6 months old. Looking back, she hit a growth spurt and I had no clue what to do! I also had a lot of backlash from my husband's family. No one in his family nursed, they all formula fed (and there is nothing wrong with that). I was brushed aside and not “allowed” to nurse in front of others. I also had never nursed before so I had no clue what I was doing. I had support from my husband and my family which is why I was able to make it to the point I did and I am thankful for that.
My middle daughter nursed until she was 20 months old. I worked full-time and had to pump 3 times a day when I worked. I began co-sleeping with her because it made nursing easier. I loved every minute of it. My husband started asking when she was 1 when I would stop nursing and I had decided I would quit pumping and just nurse when I was with her. She weaned on her own at 20 months. This time, I didn't shy away as much with nursing around others. I had a few of my husband's cousins comment that they were glad I nursed both of my older girls because it gave them someone to know that nursed and see that it was possible even though the rest of the family hadn't done that.
My youngest, I knew from day 1 that I would nurse her too. From when she was born until now, everything has gone smoothly. Well, mostly. When she was born, I was able to have my second VBAC. However, after holding her for a few minutes and enjoying having a new baby, my doctor told me it was time to deliver the placenta. I pushed and suddenly my doctor started telling nurses that they needed to get an OR immediately. The placenta had attached to my uterus and in trying to deliver it, my uterus inverted. I was losing blood and needed to be put under anesthesia to have my uterus fixed. Thankfully once I was under my uterus relaxed and was put back correctly. After being in recovery and waking up I remember telling my husband and the nurse that all I wanted was to see my baby. I had no clue how long I was out for, but I knew I needed my baby. Once back in the room I was finally able to begin our nursing journey. She is now eating “table food” but prefers to nurse and will want to snuggle and nurse when she gets sleepy. I no longer worry as much about what other people think. I love nursing my daughter and if she's hungry, I'm going to feed her. I co-sleep with her now. My husband works at night so it just made sense to co-sleep since I had the bed to myself and that way I would get more sleep for when I have to be at work.
Will she sleep in her own bed and sleep through the night? At some point, yes, but for now I'm enjoying the time and bond I get to have with her. The smiles and sounds as she eats and snuggles when she is falling asleep are some of the best. I love my kids and the time I was able to nurse them (no matter how long or short). I don't have an end date in mind and plan to keep taking it a day at a time." ~Jen
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