When I experienced complications during the birth of my first child, breastfeeding became my saving grace. After waiting twenty-seven hours to meet my baby and three days to nurse him properly, he surprisingly latched on like a champ once he was out of the NICU. It was the one part of my plan that went smoothly, and I truly needed that small victory.
I ended up nursing him for fifteen months, followed by my second child for about fourteen months, and now I’m currently breastfeeding my third baby. We’re nearing the ten-month mark, and she seems to be slowing down. I anticipate she’ll wrap things up around the same time as her brothers. Soon enough, my breasts will retire from the breastfeeding journey for good.
You might think I’d feel sad about this, but honestly? Breastfeeding can be incredibly annoying, and I won’t shed a tear when I finally put away my nursing bras for good in a few months.
Before diving deeper, I want to express my gratitude. I always wanted to breastfeed and feel fortunate that it worked out for me. I know many women wish they could but face challenges, and that’s a sadness I don’t carry. However, I’m committed to being honest about my experience.
Sure, breastfeeding is free, convenient, and can be quite sweet. But, for me (and many other women), it eventually turns into a tiring task. I’m relieved it’s almost over, and it’s time we discuss this aspect openly.
In the early days, nursing a tiny, sleepy newborn can feel almost magical. When they sigh contentedly, it seems like a divine experience, and it’s incredible that your body produces this nourishment. If you can overlook the intense post-birth cramping and any painful latching, you might find yourself having those beautiful moments filled with happy tears.
Yet, as time goes on, breastfeeding an older baby can feel different. You find yourself nursing multiple times a day, sometimes six to twelve, and every few hours, it’s time to stop whatever you’re doing (even if you’re in the middle of a nap) to feed your baby again.
It’s not always a heartwarming scene. Sometimes it feels like a chore, and it’s perfectly normal to think, “Really? Didn’t we just do this?” Feeling overwhelmed and touched out is common. It’s time-consuming, and there’s so much physical contact that it can seem like someone is attached to you all day long.
When your little one is next to you, tugging at your shirt and demanding, “BOOBIE!” it’s okay to take a moment to brace yourself before catering to their needs. And then there’s the phase where they seem to want everything at once—climb up, nurse for a moment, get down, have a snack, and then back for more. The first few minutes of every nursing session become a wrestling match of latching and unlatching, and just when you think you’re settled, a noise interrupts, and your baby pops off, spraying milk everywhere. Ouch!
Let’s not forget the biting phase. It’s painful even before they have teeth, but once those sharp little incisors come in, it’s a whole new level of shock. And remember, don’t yell! Your baby will think you’re the one at fault if you make a sound when they chomp down.
I appreciate many aspects of breastfeeding. It’s free, I don’t have to wash bottles, and it’s beneficial for both of us. It can be incredibly sweet. But if you find yourself feeling touched-out and frustrated, that’s completely normal. If it becomes too much, it’s perfectly fine to switch to formula, which is an excellent option for feeding your baby. Even if you want to continue, nursing can be overwhelming at times. It’s a big commitment and not always blissful, and we need to discuss that more often.
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Summary:
Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits and can create beautiful bonding moments, but it’s also a significant commitment that can become exhausting and frustrating over time. Many mothers experience feelings of being touched out and overwhelmed, which are normal reactions to the demands of nursing. While it’s essential to appreciate the advantages of breastfeeding, it’s equally important to recognize when it might be time to consider alternatives like formula feeding. Open discussions about the challenges of breastfeeding should be encouraged to support mothers in their journeys.
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