Here are some things I learned :
✔️Things will NOT go as planned. It is HARD to nurse your baby , especially when they are born and refuse to latch. You will sit there in shock when the lactation consultant sticks your crying newborn on your boob that is bigger than their head it almost feels like you are smothering them. "Take advantage of their cry" she will say "its when their mouth is wide open!" 😲
✔️There will be blood and it will hurt when your nipples dry up and crack and you will cry at the thought of feeding your child. You'll learn later (maybe on your 3rd go around that it was due to improper latching or possibly a lip tie) or maybe just your body adjusting? Either way you know it will pass after a few weeks of pain.
✔️The first time your baby sleeps through the night you'll wake up soaking wet with rock hard boobs and you'll be begging them to eat along with pumping (kinda excited to store all this extra milk) and while choking your child who can't keep up with all the milk.
✔️You will find yourself pumping in random uncomfortable places at work like closets or offices and then trying to store the milk at work. You worry about what others think but you do it anyway (it really is a labor of love!)
✔️ You'll fall asleep with your baby on you and when you wake up , they wake too and start sucking again even though it's been hours . It's like they never want to let you go.
✔️Those eyes as they look up at you make everything better, you realize your carried them for 9 months and you are still their life nutrition after.
✔️ You wish your husband could take just 1 feeding but at the same time you secretly love having that 1:1 bonding time. You get to say "I need to nurse the baby" it's a seriously easy escape route. Plus, You know that they are only little for so long.
✔️The breastfeeding community is amazing! Every nursing mama provides tips and information to help you. They understand how hard it is.
✔️When it's time to wean you get sad because you know it's the end of their "Baby stage" and they are heading into toddler years. Deep down you feel like "they no longer need you" but you know that's not true!
Each of my 4 babies were amazing with nursing by 3 months but it took consistency, determination and hard work. I made a decision that I was going to feed them no matter what struggles we came upon. Trust me there was supplementing, there was colicky, thrush, non stop feeding , there was diet elimination but it was WORTH it!! I am not one to say breast is best, I do believe fed is best. EVERY mama is a WARRIOR no matter how they feed their baby!! I am grateful for the experience but I am happy to have my body again! ❤️ #worldbreastfeedingawareness
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