World breastfeeding week, we're doing great!

Wednesday marked the first day of world breastfeeding week and it's the first time I've actually paid attention. My life is now completely changed, this adorable little boy has claimed my boobies as his property and like during my pregnancy, my body is not my own.

But I've come to understand that it's okay, breastfeeding is all apart of my relationship with my son and I wouldn't have it any other way. And after all our hard work, after the many tears, frustrating moments and appointments, I've come to understand that my breastfeeding relationship is just between Edison and I. We get to choose how this relationship evolves, nobody else is apart of it, nobody else has a say, it's just us and I'm starting to gain the confidence I need to listen to just my son and block the rest of the world out.


So if Edison nurses too frequently for your liking, well tough! And if his latching to fall asleep or our frequent co sleeping isn't something you agree with, well I don't care. And if you think that my time is too valuable and shouldn't be spent on the couch with my son, then I'm here to tell you that you're wrong! I'm not listening to you doctors anymore who tell me that I'm doing it wrong because in my heart I know I'm doing it right for us.

I've decided that I'm only listening to my son from now on. My boy knows exactly what he needs and I believe he has the ability to tell me exactly what that is. I trust him! He has his own personality, his own likes and dislikes which aren't the same as every other infant. So I'll stop comparing him to every other infant and start realizing that he is his own and I'm his mother who loves him just as he is. Especially during his frequent late night feeds and the times he needs a snuggle and a long suckle because his gas bubbles are bothering him. Moments like these are passing by far too quickly and he'll eventually reject my milk for something else. So I'll hold onto my gassy son who has found a home at my breasts and treasure all these moments for as long as they will last. I may even nurse longer than I ever expected, I don't know. But since we have worked so hard at breastfeeding I feel that cutting him off at a certain age just because he reached that point isn't for us. This may make others uncomfortable and I guess I'm preparing myself for that but I'm quite certain that I'll be breastfeeding my son into his toddler years. But of course only if he wants it. I know I have my husbands support and that's all that matters.

So to my soon to be mommy friends please find confidence in yourself and trust in your child. Please realize that breastfeeding is hard for the majority of us and your baby may feed for what feels like all the time but that it's normal. And if you need encouragement and help then seek out a lactation specialist (Cloverdale public health is amazing!) or a post partum doula (I know a couple amazing ones too!) there is real support out there, I promise!
N.