When it comes to breastfeeding, it has never been without anxiety for me. I love talking about it, I love promoting it, I love doing it. But my journey has been rocky, like many other moms that I know.
My birth involved lots of interventions
With my first, my birth was nothing short of a cascade of interventions. There’s a part of me that, to this day, attributes the way my breastfeeding journey went with him to that cascade of interventions.
I was supplementing him with formula within the first couple weeks, and transitioned fully to formula within the first couple months.
I truly believe that my struggle with breastfeeding my son was highly influenced by my induction, epidural, and more. Within the first couple of weeks I was supplementing him with formula, before then transitioning fully to formula within the first couple months. I didn’t feel supported, or confident in my ability to trust my body.
I prepared more when it came to baby number two
When it came to my daughter, I knew once I found out I was pregnant that I wanted to give my all to making our breastfeeding journey work. I wanted it to be as positive as I could. So I did a lot of research, and reached out even before I gave birth to her.
I wanted to give my all to making our breastfeeding journey work.
Our birth story was worlds different, as I gave birth on medicated, and without intervention. That’s a story for another day! But because our breastfeeding journey was so different from my first, I can’t help but mention it as I feel it had a positive influence.
Slowly, I began to trust my body
I was anxious from the very get-go, questioning my body, questioning my mental ability to be in the right frame of mind to nurse my daughter. But once we got past the first couple weeks, and with the help of a lactation consultant, I learned to trust my body’s ability to nourish my daughter.
I learned to trust my body’s ability to nourish my daughter.
We’ve now made it to six months breastfeeding! This is something that I never imagined that I be doing. While we are still supplementing with formula, which was an informed decision between us and our provider. She is absolutely thriving!
I want all moms to know, especially new moms, that your body is powerful, beautiful, and so capable. I also want moms to know that it’s okay to feel challenged in your breastfeeding journey, and it is more than okay to seek help with lactation, latching, etc. At the end of the day, all your baby needs is you.