Our Breastfeeding Journey

3 years & 4 months of breastfeeding.

I didn’t know our journey’d last as long as it did.

It was never easy, but with support, I was empowered and determined to breastfeed at the start of the pandemic and endured through multiple surgeries.

Why? Initially, I wanted to for the life long health benefits my newborn would receive. Then I heard formula was sold out everywhere (peak of pandemic); I had no choice but to persist. Then Doctors told me the longer I breastfed, the higher her chances were of overcoming her multiple food allergies.. Then I realized I was doing this for me too. I needed her too. The connection and relationship we have is in large part because of our decision to make breastfeeding work.

Here are my conclusions this #breastfeedingawarenessmonth

There needs to be more accessible breastfeeding resources (I.e. affordable lactation consultants, studies, and shared stories about breastfeeding journeys)

While our journey now feels like a long, wind-y, painful, and rewarding dream, I am grateful. I lived under the narrative that my body was broken, but no more do I believe that. I am grateful God gifted me the ongoing support of my husband to continue breastfeeding as long as we did. an absolute team effort. He’d carry her to me when I could not move post surgery. He’d help me pump / wash all the things. He supported me when others ridiculed me. He researched for me when I hit my wits end postpartum - my milk oversupply made life unbearable, painful, and impacted my mental & physical health (Oversupply is a double edge sword that no one speaks of for fear of being hated because a common pain point of breastfeeding is an under supply)

While the beneficial properties of breastmilk did not end, I chose to wean - I needed to sleep through the night & my health had to be prioritized. I explained to the best of my ability why we had to wean and she understood to the best of hers 💛

Friends, support your mum friends if they choose to breastfeed. Support them when they need to wean.

At our last nursing session we had a chat—

Me: Emma, are you sad?

Her: A little bit… but I’m still happy! But I still a little sad.

Me too, girl. Mum too.