My Breastfeeding Experience

When I was pregnant, I decided that I really wanted to breastfeed.  I had always been on the fence about it because my mom had a lot of trouble breastfeeding both my brother and me and the idea of breastfeeding seemed a little weird, to be honest.  But, after learning that breastmilk is so good for babies, I decided I really wanted to do it.  I decided I would read as much as I could on the subject, get advice from other mom friends, and go to a breastfeeding class.  The information I read was very helpful.  I read articles that encouraged moms to keep trying even when you run into problems, I read a book about how benefecial breastfeeding is and I learned about all the different breastfeeding positions I could.  I signed up for a breastfeeding class through the hospital.  The problem with the class was the only available date was on the day of my due date.  As I got closer to my due date, I realized there was no way I could take the class before I had the baby.  When I signed up for the class, I was reassured that there were plenty of lactation consultants and nurses at the hospital who could help me if I wans't able to attend the class.  So, I felt somewhat confident about breastfeeding. 

Well, little Aiden and I had problems right off the bat.  I could never get him to latch, even with the lactation consultant helping me several times.  He had to have supplemental formula feedings before we left the hospital.  I was very discouraged and didn't think that I would be able to breastfeed at all.  When we left, the lactation consultant sent us home with a manual breast pump and lots of encouragement that I could get him to latch.  The pump is what saved us and helped me to eventually breastfeed!  I tried and tried to get Aiden to latch once we got home, even with help from my mom, grandmother, and Brandon.  We never could get it.  So, being the determined person that I am, I decided my son was going to get breastmilk any way that I could give it to him.  So, I pumped.  That manual pump was not easy to use at all.  It was quite time consuming, too and with a newborn in the house, there is no extra time to spare!   Brandon's grandparents came to the rescue and got me a very nice electric pump.  I pumped for Aiden several times a day until he was about 2 1/2 months old.  I was working with him once in a while to try to get him to latch.  On Memorial day, I tried again since we had a whole day with nothing to do and Aiden finally caught on and latched!  I now have been breastfeeding him ever since and I love it.  I love knowing that I am doing everything I can to give him the best nutrition, I love the relationship we have because of it, and I love spending that extra time just the two of us.  I am so excited to finally be able to breastfeed and accomplish one of my biggest goals.  I have now made it to 6 months of breastfeeding and hope to be able to continue until Aiden is a year old. 

By the way, I don't think less of anyone who doesn't breastfeed.  I understand it is a very personal choice and not everyone is able to or has the desire to.    :)