I've discovered a love for breastfeeding. Exciting? Not particularly, but while I was pregnant, I felt a bit like I had a parasite using my body. I wasn't sure I would love for that relationship to continue.
But, we can't afford formula, and I wanted to do what was best for baby. So I navigated 2 weeks of sore nipples, thought I was good, persevered through 4 more weeks with blistered and cracked nipples and have finally ended up on the happy side of the process. I love the time I get to hold my baby-time that no one else gets. I love that he stares at me a smiles and coos. I love that he holds my fingers and rubs his face in my chest because he knows what he wants. I've begun to love my parasitic relationship - I can give my baby nourishment no one else can.
He used to nurse for 45 min or so. Then we got down to 20 and now sometimes it's only 10. (When he's hungry, he's HUNGRY!!) I had a small fear that he was going to quit on me- silly, I know-but we are now on a great course. He's eating like a champ and I look forward to feeding him. It will be tough when I work and have to connect to a machine and he gets a bottle. Not so comforting I'm glad it won't be that often!
(I'd love to include a photo with this post, but my husband doesn't think there's any classy way to tactfully show a woman nursing. ;))
2 comments:
Breastfeeding was a nightmare with Ben for a few weeks...way too much information in the details, so I won't get into it. But I initially was hoping to make it to six months. I ended up going to a year. I think because as a working mom, it was hard for me to be okay with someone else caring for him, and for me, breastfeeding was the only thing that ONLY I could do for him. No one was more shocked than me that I ended up loving it. HATED the pump--but it was worth it. Anyway, thanks for sharing. I'm too chicken to share about nursing on my blog--I mean, my guy friends read it. So go you!
Ha! I hadn't even thought about guys reading this...I guess they'll learn more than they cared to know!
I am hoping to go a year - longer if baby and hubby will let me! We have lots of discussions of "how long is too long?" We'll see!
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