My little guy and I are at our six-month breastfeeding mark. This is a goal I am really happy about hitting, especially considering I didn’t nurse my first son. I tried every trick in the book, but in the end he ended up being formula fed which is *okay. (*Yes, yes fed is best!) However, with my working knowledge on the cost of formula, I was determined to make it work. Here are some of my thoughts throughout this journey…
Month One
Oh wow! This little baby latched immediately! We’re going to do this! ::one day later:: okay. We’re not going to do this. Why does this hurt so bad? Is this much lanolin healthy for the baby? I need something that just numbs my entire chest.
After speaking to lactation consultants and other moms it is normal for you to feel complete agony when your baby latches. This was not helpful.
Month Two
Just when we start getting the hang of things and I stopped shedding a single thug tear every time he latched (clusterfeeding?!!!!???), it’s time to break out the pump cause mama’s gotta work. I am a second grade teacher with a planning period at the end of the day. So, it’s time to get creative. Oh yeah. Teachers, in addition to everything we’re responsible for, we have to express (ha!) some major ingenuity for our pumping schedule. What do your kids do while your gone? Will you just skip lunch? Do you need sub work everyday? Luckily, I finally got it figured out. Also, pumping in the car to and from works when you have a 45-60 minute commute.
Month Three
Holiday stress = am I drying up? After returning home from Thanksgiving break and baby’s subsequent first ear infection, his weight gain slowed down. I didn’t feel as much letdown as he ate and was worried. I ate and drank anything with the word “lactation” in front of it. I pumped throughout the night. I sipped mother’s milk tea while teaching my students subtraction. I cried. I prayed. I managed to produce more.
Month Four
I’m starting to take notice on how life consuming this is. Nursing during soccer games, mechanic shops, and every grocery store parking lot in Baton Rouge is a lot. I get asked, “why don’t you prepare a bottle?” Because that’s work. Filling it, making sure it stays cold, and washing it post use is a lot more work than lifting up my shirt. #normalizebreastfeeding
Month Five :: New Year, Same Baby
We should be introducing him to baby food now, but no. Again, more work. Am I going to nurse him forever out of laziness? Probably. But look at us having somewhat of a schedule! He’s also sleeping longer stretches. I still can’t manage to pull my shirt down after he eats. New Year, Same Mommy.
Month Six
Whoo-hoo!! ::cues up Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It”:: We did it! Six successful months of only having breastmilk. That wasn’t so bad right? I’ve bonded immensely with my baby, reminded my husband daily that I’m keeping his child alive through my gift of nourishment, and enjoyed the time that I’m forced to relax while pumping. It should be smooth sailing from now on.
Wait! What are those white things coming from his gums … nooo!!!!
Thanks for sharing the experience!