This week is National Breastfeeding Week, and my social media feeds have been full of articles and posts about breastfeeding. They all mimic what I had seen and read before my own breastfeeding experience, which is why I think it is important to share my own story...it's not like all of the posts out there! It's what I wish I had heard about nursing prior to having my first baby. Listen up, moms-to-be, this is for you!
I always had planned on breastfeeding. I was aware of all the great benefits it has for both mother and baby, and I wanted what was best, especially for my own baby. That being said, I was not looking forward to it one bit! The whole concept was just so foreign to me, and as a relatively modest person, I pictured it being awkward and thought I wouldn't care for it at all. I gave myself a goal of breastfeeding until six months and thought that might even be pushing it. Aide from my own thoughts, the biggest cause of anxiety about breastfeeding came from all of the negative stories and experiences I heard from virtually everywhere! Now, maybe you haven't found this to be the case, but for me that was my experience.
Any time I read about or heard breastfeeding mentioned, it was about how painful it was, how hard it was to get baby to latch on correctly, lip tie/tongue tie, having to drastically change diet to suit babies needs, etc. In fact, I heard so many negative stories from others that the ONLY fear I had about having a baby was that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed successfully! Labor didn't phase me, but a baby who couldn't latch on?! I had nightmares about it.
I researched as much as I could to be as knowledgable as possible without having any hands-on/breasts-on experience (ha!). Even so, I couldn't escape negative comments from others.
Well, when the time came and I had my beautiful baby to feed, guess what? I did it just fine. No issues, no unbearable pain, nada. Sure, it took some getting used to, but I absolutely had no problem breastfeeding, and continue to do so successfully, over a year later. I also surprised myself with how I could care less about breastfeeding in public and how much I actually enjoy nursing my little one. Now, I am in no rush to wean Henley, which is a long way off from where i thought I'd be.
So...what do I wish I had heard about breastfeeding prior to having my first baby? Positive stories like mine! Yes, I completely understand that there are many challenges that one can have and can overcome when it comes to breastfeeding, however, it is possible to have a great experience with it! This is written only with the intent to encourage moms-to-be that breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience, and not to discount those whose experience has been less than so.
I researched as much as I could to be as knowledgable as possible without having any hands-on/breasts-on experience (ha!). Even so, I couldn't escape negative comments from others.
Well, when the time came and I had my beautiful baby to feed, guess what? I did it just fine. No issues, no unbearable pain, nada. Sure, it took some getting used to, but I absolutely had no problem breastfeeding, and continue to do so successfully, over a year later. I also surprised myself with how I could care less about breastfeeding in public and how much I actually enjoy nursing my little one. Now, I am in no rush to wean Henley, which is a long way off from where i thought I'd be.
So...what do I wish I had heard about breastfeeding prior to having my first baby? Positive stories like mine! Yes, I completely understand that there are many challenges that one can have and can overcome when it comes to breastfeeding, however, it is possible to have a great experience with it! This is written only with the intent to encourage moms-to-be that breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience, and not to discount those whose experience has been less than so.
The only person who didn't have one negative thing to say about breastfeeding was my mom...I should have just listened to her (wow, how many times I have said that in past)! Go figure!
Anyone else have a similar experience to mine? Scared to breastfeed but then pleasantly surprised by it?
