A new year. Usually a time for reflection on the past and hope for a new year. HOPE…it is what I need to offer to so many of the moms I encounter. And there is hope! So many breastfeeding relationships start off in a place that is frustrating and difficult and challenging and could use a bit of HOPE.
Each of these stories offer up a little bit of it.
From Christine:
I live in Tennessee with 3 kids, all of whom I breastfed. The older two didn’t get much since I knew nothing about breastfeeding. My son, my curious, loving, mama’s boy son has made it so far to 15 months and has no plans to stop. We had trouble in the start from him being tongue tied and then showing signs of food allergies. It was a bumpy road and I had no one to support me but I pushed through it all, even biting. I love breastfeeding him and if I had to do it all over with all of the same problems, I would. Nothing else like watching him grow and knowing he is getting the best out there.
From Lisa:
Breastfeeding my twins is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. Neither would latch for a long time. I cried, a lot. I spent hours at night on Google, reading forums for something else to try, someone else to call. Nipple shields, SNS systems, syringes, breast “sandwiches,” I tried it all, for weeks. Nothing seemed to work. But I kept trying, and pumping. Then, after two months, I got my son to latch and feed a few times. Pure joy. My daughter took another month. A year later, the time I spend breastfeeding is the best part of my day.
From JoAnne:
My journey started with what looked like 2 basketballs in my bra. 2 weeks in I got mastitis and was unsure how I could survive 6 months, let alone ‘tomorrow.’ I persisted through 3 months of a bad latch. I cried. My daughter cried. We made it well past my goal. I nursed her through an entire pregnancy. When my son was born I nursed them together. She bonded with him. At 2 years 7 months I stopped nursing her, except for the occasional comfort suckle, but I am now a huge breastfeeding advocate and plan to nurse my son as long as possible.
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As always, I’d love to hear about your breastfeeding journey.
Please send us your reflections, in 100 words of less, using our Contact Page.
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