My oldest son was born several years later and breastfeeding still wasn’t something that was openly talked about. In fact, the nurses in the postpartum wing gave me a funny look when I told them I was going to breastfeed my son and not to offer him any formula. I wasn’t able to breastfeed immediately after he was born due to the hospital’s labor, delivery, and recovery room was all separate rooms. I remember that he was a bit more high maintenance and he demanded to eat roughly ever two hours during the first few months, which made it harder to get enough sleep at night. I was thankful when he started sleeping through the night. Our breastfeeding relationship lasted a bit longer than I originally intended and he was nursed until he was two and a half years old.
My youngest son was born two years ago and things have changed dramatically. Breastfeeding awareness has increased greatly over the last ten years and more mother’s are voicing their opinions about breastfeeding their baby. This time my OB/GYN and hospital helped educate and encourage mothers to consider breastfeeding their baby. As an experienced breastfeeding mother, I was excited to know that there was a push to educate women on the benefits of breastfeeding their baby. When my son was born, it was an hour or so after my c-section before I had the opportunity to breastfeed baby. He latched on like a pro. After we came home from the hospital, I immediately began using my breast pump because I wanted to start stock piling milk before I had to return to work. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to pump enough milk after I returned to work. Once I returned to work, I was able to pump several times a day and was able to continue giving my son breast milk while I was at work. I successfully continued my breastfeeding relationship with my son until he was 18 months old.
I wanted to help other mothers realize that they too could continue to breastfeed their breastfeeding relationship and provide their child with enough breast milk while at work.
I realize that breastfeeding isn’t for everyone and a mother should never feel guilty for not choosing to breastfeed their child. There are many reasons why some women choose not to breastfeed and I respect their decision. While formula wasn’t my personal choice but if circumstances were different I would have opted to do what was in the best interest of my child even if it meant using formula.
Did you breastfeeding your baby in public covered or uncovered? If you nursed in public, did anyone say hurtful comments or ask you to leave while you were breastfeeding your baby?
8 comments
I breastfed my baby exclusively for the first 6 months. I did it everywhere I went with a nursing cover and when I went back to work after 6 weeks I pumped at home and at work so she can have breastmilk while at home. Thanks for increasing breastfeeding awareness.
Great job mama, thank you for sharing your experience. 🙂
I loved breastfeeding my son. We just weaned 2 weeks ago at 29 months. It was a hard transition for him but he is doing great with the self-soothing.
Great job Corinne, breastfeeding is an amazing and I loved the bond that it created with each one of my children.
That’s one thing I wish I could go back and have a “do over” with my kids as I did not breast feed them.
Breastfeeding is a difficult decision for some new moms and I think with education and awareness more moms will be exposed to the benefits of breastfeeding. I wouldn’t have had a clue about breastfeeding if it wasn’t for my mom doing it. I am sorry that you didn’t get the chance to breastfeed. Thank you for sharing.
I love the way people embrace it more, now. It’s also wonderful that we have tools like the pump, so that no matter what, there is something available for baby if we have made up our minds that formula isn’t our choice. And wow! Eighteen months old is excellent. Thirteen months? And two and a half!?? That’s wonderful. It’s such a full time job; I breastfed, but not quite that long. Wow, I’m happy for you that you got to experience it to the fullest 🙂
Breastfeeding in public is still a hot topic for those who choose to breastfeed. It is sad that people can’t get over the fact that a woman’s boobs were designed for the sole purpose of feeding babies. They were later turned into sexual objects. I think the more women continue to nurse in public and the more education that people have the more women will stand up for their right to breastfeeding in public.