Sarah is hosting a Breastfeeding Bonanza giveaway party this week at The Ohana Mama blog. It’s a great theme to coincide with Earth Day, don’t you think? She’s asked for other moms to share their experiences with breastfeeding: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I prepared my little story for Sarah but I thought I’d share it here, too.
My mom is a postpartum nurse, calls formula “chemical soup” and nursed all three of her kids until we were, like, 2. So, you can imagine that it was expected I would breastfeed my kids. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to breastfeed. Hell, I’ve had giant boobs since I was a teenager and I wanted to put them to good use!
When my son was born it took a few days for us to get the hang of nursing, but once we did we were both hooked. I loved knowing that I was the source of his nourishment – the reason he was growing (albeit slowing) and thriving. I loved looking at his sweet little face and seeing him look back at me while he was nursing. When my daughter was born in December, I was thrilled when she latched on and started nursing the first time I held her. She has become our little chubster and I love that it’s something the two of us have accomplished together.
Don’t get me wrong, nursing hasn’t been without its challenges. My son has always been a little dude, falling well below average on the growth charts. My daughter and I have been fighting thrush for literally the last month. (Anyone have any tips to get rid of it once and for all?) And, the weirdest thing? I have a bum boob. Yes, I nurse on only one side. My son started refusing the right side when he was five months old and my daughter nixed it at only two months. It’s clearly a dud. But, it turns out you can successfully feed a child with only one working breast.
Even with the challenges and the occasional burden that comes with being the source of nourishment for my baby, I love breastfeeding. I nursed my son until he was 13 months old and now that we think we are done having kiddos, I cannot imagine ever choosing to wean my daughter. I think I’ll let her decide when we’re done and I hope it’s not for a while. I can only imagine the sadness (probably followed by a sense of freedom) I will feel after I nurse my child for the last time. Makes me sad just thinking about it!
Marianna
April 23, 2009What a great story Kate, thanks for sharing it!
Amanda
April 23, 2009That’s a great story. Unfortunately, I have 2 “bum boobs” so my boys got formula fairly early.
The Shopping Mama
April 23, 2009I do feel really lucky that breastfeeding has worked for us (even with one boob), because I know it doesn’t work out for everyone.
Monica
April 23, 2009Thanks Kate for your story. After struggling for years to get pregnant, I promised myself that I would cherish every pound I gained, every wave of nausea-the whole experience if I finally got pregnant. When I finally did, I know I at least wanted to try to breastfeed, as this may have been my only shot at mommyhood. I never expected to love it as much as I did, and continued for 13 months as well, only to stop to try to have baby #2. I know breastfeeding isn’t for everyone, that is what is so great about being a mom, you can choose to parent however you see fit for your family. For me, it was probably the best relationship I have ever known. I look forward to one day sharing it again with another baby.
lisa
April 23, 2009Awesome , i know the exact feeling you get when they are nursing and they look in your eyes ! It is like they are saying” your awesome mama”.
Michelle
April 23, 2009I’ve got 4 kids, but only nursed the last one. I wasn’t comfortable enough with myself with the first 3 to try. (I’m pretty sure I suffered from PPD with #2.) After I had my older son, I really regretted not nursing him and still do to this day. He was my biggest baby, but is now my smallest child. My youngest will be 1 tomorrow. He was my smallest baby, and he’s only about 10 pounds shy of his 4 1/2 yo brother!
Nursing him has been so fulfilling. I’m so glad I finally did it. If we ever have any more kids (which we’re not planning on), I’d do it again in a heartbeat! My little nursling is thriving, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. I plan to continue nursing for at least another year, or until he decides otherwise! (which is doubtful…his first sign was “milk.”
Kelly
April 24, 2009I also love breast-feeding and could not imagine feeding my children any other way.
What are you currently using to treat your thrush?
Thrush thrives on sugar and yeast so if you can cut that down it would help. It is also important to be treating both you and your baby even if one of you is not showing signs of thrush.
In order to kill the bacteria you should be washing your bras and and anything else that touches your babies mouth in hot water with bleach or vinegar to kill the bacteria.
You can also take probiotics such as grapeseed extract.
Here are some great resourcces on treating thrush
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resources.html
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/thrush.asp
If you still have problems I can refer you to my friend who is a ‘thrush expert’ due to her own persisents thrush experience