In a strange way, breastfeeding has always been a part of my life. I grew up in the country, and we always had kittens or puppies or some sort of animal babies that I'd see nursing. When I was in third grade, I had a friend over, and she said it was disgusting. I asked her why she thought that and told her it was the natural way for babies to eat. Already a lactivist at the age of nine, I knew that was how my mom had fed me. See, my mom was the rare mom who breastfed in the early 70s (with twins, even!), and she nursed me in the early 80s until I was almost two years old.
When I was pregnant with Luke, my midwife asked at first prenatal appointment if I was planning on breastfeeding, I said, Of course! For me, there was no other choice. Please don't feel as if I'm begrudging anyone who formula feeds. While it isn't right for me, I realize that everyone makes choices that are right for THEM, for whatever reason.
When Luke was born, I was surprised at how hard breastfeeding was. I thought babies just came out and ate, after all, how else did the human race survive? With him, it was a struggle, but I kept at it, and I'm proud to say that even with returning to work when he was six months, he never had so much as a drop of formula. In fact, he continued to nurse until he self-weaned at 20 months when I was eight weeks pregnant with Tommy. The last time he nursed, he patted my chest afterward and said, "Bye bye, num nums." It was the perfect end.
After nursing for almost two years, I felt a little lost not nursing, so I looked forward to the moment when I could nurse a new baby. I had myself ready for a struggle, and yet, Tommy came out ready to eat. From the moment my doula helped him latch two hours after his birth, he ate like a champ. He eats all the time, and I love how easy it is. I love that when we leave the house, I feel like I'm forgetting something, and then I remember that oh yeah, his food is always with me. I love how he passes out so content after eating, the way his eyes search my face. I plan on nursing him for as long as I nursed Luke, or longer if he so chooses, and I plan to love every moment of it.
It's World Breastfeeding Week
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12 comments:
I love this - so much.
I wish I could have breastfed. Ian was a a disorganized sucker and would have scarred me to the point I wouldn't be able to breastfeed any other children we might have.
That Tommy- he's such a good baby.
Steph
I'm glad it was easy from the get-go. That makes such a difference. My experiences were the same as yours; it took a little while for Noodle and me to get the hang of it, but, Lizard took right to it. How is Tommy doing at night?
I share your sentiments. I believe that breastfeeding is the best way for babies to get their nutrition. Formula milks just won't cut it. Plus, there's the fulfillment on the side of the mother. Fulfillment that she was able to feed her own child with the right nutrition.
If ever - and only, if ever (lol) - I get to have a child of my own, I would never give him formula milk too. :)
Wow. I agree with you, breast milk cannot beat the formula milks. I just admire you for this post because I believe that breastfeeding is one of the most important part of motherhood. Thank you for sharing this post.
That's so great. I'm right there with you.
Oh Erin, I love this so much. It was a struggle to nurse Emma (took us 2 months to figure it out) and Seth, my colicky baby...but my last 2 have been a dream. I love it, love it, love it.
A beautiful post indeed, Erin.
Beautiful post. As I think I've written to you before, I nursed Jane (born in 1980) until the night before she turned 3. We actually had a discussion about it... a logical, intelligent discussion as to why this time was best to stop. It is one of the most perfect things I have ever done in my life. However ("Oh, no!" you say!)... I did not breastfeed Audrey. She was almost 6 weeks premature (this was 1978), and each time the nurses took her from her incubator, she would push away from the breast but drink an entire bottle of formula. I struggled with this (and pumping) for 5 days, and then her pediatrician recommended just going with the bottle because of her weight loss. I did this and never looked back. NOW on the other hand ("OH,NO!! you say again!), Keith and Adam are not my biological children. When Barry and I were married, they were 4 and 2 years old. I never gave either of them a bottle, never mind the sanctity of breastfeeding. I think I am in a perfect position to say that although I TOTALLY recommend breastfeeding, there is not one tiny piece of me that feels like Louise/UPrinting. I love each of these children from depths where I cannot even fathom, and I know they feel the same about me. I am fulfilled as a mom to each of them... filled to the brim and overflowing. Jane, like Tommy, latched on the moment she was born, and I thank God for this. I have had great in-depth discussions with my daughters and daughters-in-law about breastfeeding... and Audrey decided NOT to (although she tried with her first) and Nicole (Keith's wife) didn't breastfeed either of her children. My other daughter-in-law Aimee breastfed their 3 children... for years. I support each of them!! I love your post. I really, really do. I just feel like a num num expert of sorts, even when num nums (Jane called them "lubies") are from a bottle! Sorry for the ramble...
Love this. I,even after nursing 4 children, still feel like I'm forgetting something sometimes. One of the MANY things I love about it.
I just think it's SO amazing how we keep them thriving, solely from our own bodies!
Yay Tommy & Mommmy! :D
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