My Breastfeeding Experience (So Far)

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, I’m sharing my breastfeeding experience (so far!)

I’ve always known that  I wanted to nurse my babies, even as a child I would play that I was nursing my dolls!  I’m not sure how I picked up on it since my sister was just 22 months younger and I have no memories of her as a nursing baby.  I suppose it’s one of those natural instincts little girls have since it is such a natural thing!

When I was pregnant with Paxton, I read everything I could to prepare myself: books, magazine articles, and blog posts (one of my favorites: Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms). I talked to moms who had successfully breastfed their babies for months. I also took a Breastfeeding class at our hospital and my fabulous husband went with me since I knew he was going to be my biggest advocate!

I knew some moms and babies have problems breastfeeding and that it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. I prepared myself mentally for the potential challenges and was determined to stay with it for weeks even though it could be frustrating or painful.

While I was in labor with my son, one of the lactation consultants at our hospital stopped by and went over nursing basics with me again. ( I was very blessed that our hospital had wonderful lactation consultants.) Within 10 minutes of giving birth, I was nursing my baby! Our wonderful Labor and Delivery Nurse and my husband helped me. We tried the football hold first but I was struggling with the position,  it just didn’t feel natural to me. We decided to try the cradle hold, which felt comfortable and Paxton latched on perfectly and was nursing!

Breastfeeding came naturally to me but there were a few struggles.I worried about my milk coming in the first few days. Then once my milk came in, I had a little engorgement discomfort. I did get slightly frustrated at first because he sometimes did not want to latch and I knew he was hungry, I learned that being calm was the best thing so I could calm him so he could successfully latch.

I’ve been breastfeeding for 3 1/2 months now and love it. My goal is to exclusively breastfed to 6 months and I’d love to  continue nursing to a year.

*I know many women struggle with breastfeeding whether it is horrible pain, a baby who won’t latch or lack of milk supply and these are things they just can’t control. I do not think mothers who formula feed their babies are inferior to those who breastfeed, we all love our babies and do what is best for them! My sister tried to breastfeed her baby girl but had struggles. My niece is a healthy, happy and beautiful formula fed 13-month-old!

Linked to: Finer Things Friday