31 Days of Breastfeeding Journeys | Day 25 | World Breastfeeding Week 2016
"My main motivation for breastfeeding was saving money. I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom, and I knew in order to achieve that goal we couldn't be spending $200 a month on formula. Plus, breastfeeding is supposed to be healthier, and I figure it's what our bodies were made to do. I've been lucky enough to have a supportive family. I watched two friends of mine breastfeed their babies and pump, as well as my older cousin. I knew I'd have a great support system. My husband never questioned the decision, either. He just said, jokingly, that he was willing to loan my breasts to our babies.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
When Annabel was born, she latched perfectly. And that was the only time she did while we were at the hospital. It was hard. It was more work than I'd anticipated. I remember asking my husband why it was so hard. "Aren't they supposed to want to live??" But in the beginning it was sleepless nights, cracked nipples, and a baby I was terrified of failing. I would nod off while she was sleeping and then freak out because I could have dropped her. One night, I forgot to put a diaper on her because I was such a zombie. My husband would sit up with her and rock her just so I could snag an hour or two of sleep before duty called again. Relatives and friends brought us food (this is also when I started drinking 24 oz coffees), and I'd made some freezer meals so it was one less thing we had to worry about while trying to keep this little potato with a face alive! I was topless, exhausted, and constantly in tears.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
But within a week, things got easier. I breastfed in public for the first time when she was five days old because the doctor was worried about jaundice, and after the heel stick at the hospital I was crying, she was crying, and I just wanted to help her feel better. I didn't even think about it. Just whipped my boob out and comforted my baby. We got into a routine. A friend added me to the Breastfeed Dover Facebook group, and the ladies there helped alleviate my worry when she was spitting up a lot or stopped pooping as much.
It didn't take me long to fall in love with breastfeeding and with the bond it created between me and my baby. At four weeks I started pumping a bit here and there so I could get enough of a freezer stash to have a date night with my husband. My mother convinced her to take a pacifier, so she didn't use me for comfort quite as much and we all got more sleep. I learned that cluster feeding doesn't last forever, although four days definitely feels like forever while it's happening.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Now, we're reaching the end of our breastfeeding journey. I always said I would wean when she turned a year old, and I'm really looking forward to having more freedom and being able to wear clothes that don't have boob access. I'm looking forward to ditching the pump! At the same time, weaning has been more of an emotional roller coaster than I anticipated. She doesn't fight me when I cut back on feeds or when I tell her "That's for later". She's been amazing, really, better than I thought she'd be. It's just the idea that she won't need me so much anymore. That I won't get those guaranteed cuddles. That I won't sing our boobie song and see her little face light up. That she won't fall asleep in my arms with that little dribble of milk by her lip. That she's growing up.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
I understand now why there are so many breastfed toddlers.
We're down to three feeds per day, and by the time Laura so generously captures the image of Annabel nestled against me, finding the familiar nourishment that my body miraculously provides, we'll be down to two. I'm proud we've made it so far. I'm happy I was able to share this experience with my little girl. Seeing it end will be bittersweet." ~Heather
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Please help spread Breastfeeding awareness and share this post. Check back tomorrow to see more pictures and read all about another Mama’s Journey through breastfeeding.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Please help spread Breastfeeding awareness and share this post. Check back tomorrow to see more pictures and read all about another Mama’s Journey through breastfeeding.