My personal breastfeeding journey.

When I was pregnant with my first I do not remember anyone asking me how I was going to feed my baby other than in the delivery room, for a planned unnecessary induction. I always thought I would bottle feed, I never understood breastfeeding or was exposed to it.

When I was in the bed as the nurse was filling out the board asks “how are you feeding baby?” I just said “breastfeed”. I was shocked - it just came out.

Soon after my son was born I was asking the nurse “how do I do this?” She was not very helpful and told me to just cradle and basically flop him on to my breast.

I eventually got him latched myself.

My little 39 week-er had some jaundice with some light therapy. A hard experience for me since he cried a lot. After our first 24 hours after his birth a LC came to talk to me. I only remember her talking about pacifiers, why? and me asking my husband, “what? Did I ask anything?” He said I talked but it sure didn’t feel like it and I don’t remember any of it.

Next thing I know, its day 4 and I am at the pediatric office and they tell me he is at 9.8% weight loss and I need to supplement. LITERALLY NOTHING OTHER THAN HERE IS SOME FORMULA.

Me basically saying what? I very boldly declined the formula and left to make an appointment with an outpatient lactation consultant. I honestly don’t remember where I found their information or what - I saw them 2 days later.

Transfer was well and weight gain was on the correct trend.

When we got home for the hospital I really think the well meaning guest had put too much space between me and my little. For the first week of his life every day we had 5-7 guests. IT WAS A LOT. all well meaning. I know.

All that to say, I went on to nurse my first for 9 months. I think I would have nursed longer if I had not gotten pregnant. Even though there was lots of falling asleep in chairs and crying on my part. I wanted to nurse him longer and was very sad when our journey came to an abrupt end.

He was a distracted baby around 4-5 months and I really struggled with night time nursing. I have many pictures of me holding him while he slept and milk stained cami’s.

When my second was born I only remember her projectile vomiting. She was a great baby and happy. From what I remember she gained weight well and nursed like a champ.

I was always proud to say she was still nursing as she got older. Her pediatrician always just said great. She was my one that really gave me the confidence to nurse in public, to speak up for myself and my children and to live very selflessly.

I’m proud to say I nursed for over 5.5 years total.