Adventures in Breastfeeding Part One

As I type this, I have nursed my two babies for a total of 39 months and it has been quite the journey. I always thought I would breastfeed. I was breastfed. My husband was breastfed. I knew other people who breastfed. It made sense and seemed the most natural choice. When I was pregnant with Judah, I hoped to breastfeed but I also had the idea that not everyone is able to breastfeed.

Thankfully, I was pretty determined to breastfeed and I knew that it wouldn't be easy. Because it wasn't. The first time Judah latched on was excruciating. I think he damaged my nipple. He struggled to latch and I spent hours in the hospital with a lactation consultant and a nipple shield squeezing my boob like a cheeseburger.  It took over a month for Judah to get his latch right. The first time I got him to latch without that stupid fucking nipple shield, I cried.

Nursing became a natural part of our daily lives. I went from awkwardly covering myself in public with one of those aprons to casually feeding my baby whenever he needed me. I also got used to pumping when I was at work, I even gave some window cleaners quite a show one day! At some point, I decided I would let him wean on his own. Despite most people around me aiming to nurse until one,  it made more sense  to me to nurse without an end date. Especially as Judah neared one, he was still a baby.

I got pregnant with Maple shortly after Judah turned one. I didn't experience nursing aversion like some women do, but my supply definitely began to decrease. Judah stopped nursing at night and began dropping feedings during the day. He came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth when he was 17 months old and I was about four months pregnant. He wasn't able to latch because his mouth hurt. I remember him trying to latch and not being able to and just laying his head on my breast and falling asleep. I didn't know that he wasn't going to nurse again.

Judah never went back to nursing after that. I was sad that our nursing relationship had come to an end but I was also relieved. I couldn't imagine forcing him to wean and I also couldn't imagine tandem nursing.

My guy and I just after he weaned. 

I am so lucky and happy that I was able to breastfeed Judah for as along as I did.

Part two coming up tomorrow! 

Tell me how long you breastfed in the comments!

Comments

  1. I'm still new to breastfeeding, but really loving the time with my little guy. I have some anxiety about pumping enough once I'm back at work, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. Mamas always do, right?! Keep writing, Jenny!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, Julie! You will totally figure it out. And you still have so much time before school starts. And I really am always happy to answer any questions!

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