After 5 months of exclusively breast feeding I have shared with you the ups and the downs. To be fair I think I shared more downs than ups! It’s challenging, and demanding, but through it all I remind myself that it’s the best thing I can do for my son. This time I wanted to share some hope with other breastfeeding moms out there, or to women who are considering breastfeeding. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Sticking with it gets much easier with time.Y
As much as I always wanted to breastfeed, I was well aware that it may not work out. Luckily it did work out, but from the start I set small goals for myself. My first goal was to just get colostrum to my son, next, to make it to three months. Once I hit the three month mark, I started to wonder whether or not I’d make it to my next goal of six months. It all seemed so daunting! Then I started thinking about the alternative…formula. I had no idea how to do formula. Would I want to wake up and make a bottle to feed my son? Or did I just want to pull out the boob and take care of the feeding that way. In my opinion the boob seems easier. I guess the unknown is just scary.
The other day I spoke to a friend who asked me “does it get easier?” I quickly reassured her and said yes. And after I said that, and spoke with her for a bit I began to think even more about it. I’ve come so far! My son was always pretty efficient at eating, but what used to take over 20 minutes now takes ten minutes or less. At this point I have even breast fed in a public restaurant! (pretty proud of myself) The more I think about it the more I think…why quit?
I’m not saying it’s always easy, and I am not saying everyone’s experience will be like my own. What I am saying is that it does get EASIER…easier meaning more easy than it was a week or a month ago.
So for now I am sticking to it. My next goal? Make it till my guy gets teeth and bites me! I don’t think I can handle that!
I’m so proud of you. A lot of people give up. I, myself, have before. I am doing the same thing as you, though. Small goals.
And 20 minutes?! Wow! I wish to get my little one to under an hour. She wears me out!
wow an hour!! That is daunting!! Hang in there!
Way to go! Little goals here and there are perfect I think. Not sure my intention was to ever tandem nurse though! But I’m there now. Who knew? O_O
Way to go! It is definitely not easy, but so worth it! My first goal was just through a couple weeks, then it was 3 months, then that came and went and it was 6 months. About 3 weeks shy of 6 months she started teething, and just last weekend she really bit me…and drew blood. I handed her over to my hubby and pumped…and have pumped every day since. It is so much harder pumping, and my supply is going down, but she turns 6 months old tomorrow and I made it to my newest goal! Now my goal is just to see how it goes.
Here’s hoping that Christian is easy to keep from biting. Congrats on making it this far!
I think if I get bit that will be the end of me! good for you for pumping and feeding. Thats like double duty!
Hey Jen, I don’t know if you remember me or not, I went to Southern Lehigh, Lisa Jarrett was my maiden name. Anyway, I just found your website and I love that you are talking about breastfeeding and its ups and downs, etc! It is something I’m kinda passionate about after feeding 2 children. My son, who was my first, was VERY challenging, I almost gave up, but I stuck with it and he weaned at 13 months, almost by himself. My daughter,, now 14 months is still nursing once in a while, but I’m less concerned with weaning her, because it ended so abruptly w/ my son. So thanks for posting about it and I also “liked” your facebook page. Congrats on your little boy and marriage!
I do remember! thanks for reading and commenting! How great that you breastfed for so long! I have loved breastfeeding even though it was sometimes challenging. After about the 6th month it became like second nature. Good luck continuing with your daughter! Keep me posted!