Remember what a gong show breastfeeding was for me and Avelyn? Those first few weeks of her being unable to latch, and the screaming that ensued, were very hard. Eventually we found something that worked: she would drink my milk if she didn’t have to suck it out of me herself. So I bought a top of the line double pump and have been hooked up to that beast every few hours for the past six months. My goal was for her to have breastmilk for at least the first half-year of her life and then I would re-evaluate the situation. Well, six months has come and gone and I am still happily pumping away. Yes, it’s a bit of a hassle. But I think it’s worth it so I am going to keep on pumping for a few more days, a few more weeks, maybe even a few more years (perhaps that’s a tad extreme). She still isn’t very interested in solid foods so I think I’ll keep on pumping until she’s more ready to get her nutrition from them. And formula isn’t cheap, so any ounce of breastmilk I give her instead of Good Starts saves me like a thousand bucks.
I wonder if my next baby (which I sincerely hope is not growing in my womb as I type!) will be able to latch or if he/she will need me to pump again. I think that pumping has provided the best of both worlds for me in that I had the freedom to leave my baby for more than 20 minutes, knowing that someone else could feed her a bottle, but she was still getting my primo-creamo and all the good stuff in there. Steve jokes that 80% of my milk must be comprised of diet coke and he’s surprised there’s not a more brownish tinge to it.
So many women have difficulties with breastfeeding and a friend of mine once said that she thinks all women deserve medals for sticking with it. Amen! We do deserve prizes! Like a new car and a new wardrobe and a big chocolate bar. Steve is letting me get a new, irrationally expensive diaper bag in honour of my reaching the end of my six month pumpathon.
To all those moms who are, or were at one time, breastfeeding, I send you a hearty congratulations. And for all those moms for whom breastfeeding didn’t work out, I also send a huge congratulations to you for doing whatever it took to nourish your baby. And for all those future moms, know that whether breastfeeding is a smooth or treacherous road, you are more than the sum of your boobs and all you can do is all you can do.
*Dismounts soapbox*
19 Comments
Lovely. You are amazing for pumping for the little jewel. My congratulations go to you!
You do deserve a medal!You hung in there and did a lot of extra work that a lot of people would not even consider,and were flexible to do what worked to give the best for your precious little girl(THE MOST AMAZING GRANDBABY IN THE WORLD).I am so proud of you,and impressed by your capability.Love you,sweetie.
You done good, Amanda. :)
P.S. Do you think you COULD be pregnant?
Jen: let’s just hope that they’re right when they say that pregnany tests shouldn’t be read a few hours after they’re peed on. Pretty sure it was negative, but??? We’ll know for sure in a few more days.
I’m glad you found what works for you. Crying daily cuz you feel broken is not something I would wish on anyone else! And I hope you aren’t pregnant again until you’re ready to be!
Hi Amanda,
I don’t remember if I’ve ever commented before, but I wanted to tell you that while I was going through my own personal breastfeeding hell in October/November, I read and reread and then READ AGAIN all your posts on breastfeeding and pumping. You were a real encouragement to me – thanks for being so open and honest about your struggles.
I only ended up making it to Week 10 with Asher (he used a shield to nurse and then I tried pumping but we started dealing with a reflux/milk allergy issue) but I’m happy I made it that far. We’re doing great now, but I just wanted to say thanks.
Avelyn is absolutely adorable.
I totally always am thinking “am I pregnant” because I always think I have the symptoms…keep us posted!
Congrats for STILL pumping…I’m SO impressed!
Touching. :) In my mind, your post went a little like this:
“I HAVE A DREAM! That breastfeeders, and nonbreastfeeders, can be duly acknowledge for their efforts in effectively nourishing their children, and all animosity between the two factions will be permanently erased from the blackboard that is life.” The end. I liked it.
Guess I’m delurking here! Congratuations on making breast feeding work for you and your sweet little gal :)
interested – what diaper bag are you buying? My irrationally expensive one is “LeSportSac” – and I LOVE it :) if you gotta do the “mom” thing you might as well do it in style!
Bethany: I ordered the Baby Bjorn Dynamic Diaper Bag from ebay. I’ll be stylin’ like a Swede!
That was a great post, Amanda…Congrats to you for making it this far! (Must see pix of new super-expensive diaper bag. :))
Delurking too, just to reassure you that it would be quite unusual for you to fall pregnant while you’re still breastfeeding exclusively, so don’t stress too much! :)
I ended up with a dad gear bag: http://www.dadgear.com a purchase I made when I was having a tough time with Duncan’s reflux and needed a treat. It’s even more fun than buying purses because it’s easier to justify – after all it’s for my baby, not for me…
I didnt realize you were pumping! A huge kudo’s to you chiquita. And another huge AMEN to your post.
Hi from Chilliwack! :)
Congratuations Amanda on your breastfeeding journey. It is amazing the process our bodies go through to provide for our babies. With Ashley she was a breeze and Dustin well I had to quit at 2 months. So, fear not that it will be the same with any of the following pregnancies. Each one is characteristic on its own. I know what it is to breastfeed with ease and to formula feed. Love, bonding, reassurance for baby and for mom comes from the arms and the heart. Whether breast or bottle I am proud of you Amanda for acknowledging that. You are a good lady :)
Hugs
Jackie
Ashley’s Mom (Missing my little girl and my little Sweet Pea and Corey wahhhh)
zovirax
zovirax
prevacid
pharmacies order canadian
Comments are closed.