Thoughts While Breastfeeding :: Six Months In

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!!!!
Camille
Camille has always had ties to Baton Rouge even though she didn’t live here until she finished college. Both of her parents grew up in the Red Stick but she was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) with a BA in Communication Studies, she moved to Baton Rouge and welcomed her adorable son Caleb (7) less than a year later. She navigated life being a divorced mom until 2015 when she married her incredibly supportive husband Chris in San Francisco. They welcomed baby Christian in the summer of 2017. Truly a “Jane of all Trades”, she has worked in non-profit, local news, retail management, and owned a successful childcare facility. All roads led her to be an elementary school teacher which she believes is her calling. Camille enjoys “family fun days” where they explore BR, CrossFit, baking, and drinking all the coffee. She lives with her family in Ascension Parish with their chubby puggle Chloe.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here