Reflections on Breastfeeding

Let’s talk about breastfeeding. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that breastfeeding is a learned skill. People talk about breastfeeding like it’s the most naturally beautiful thing, and it is. What isn’t said is that very few mothers, if any, know what the hell they’re doing when they start. The baby comes out of the womb looking for the nipple (it’s called rooting) but this mama had no idea what a latch was, let alone how to do it properly. To be honest, I can totally see why women give up on breastfeeding in the beginning. The learning curve is steep, you can’t control when or if your milk comes in, babies can suckle your nipples raw, and don’t even get me started on clogged milk ducts! However, like much of parenting, it doesn’t have to be a solo sport. I’ve had to reach out to girlfriends for home remedies and moral support, rely on my partner to make sure I didn’t roll over on my daughter after we both fell asleep mid nursing session, and be honest with supervisors about my need to pump multiple times a day while at work. As we come to the end of this breastfeeding journey, what I know is there is no universal right way to feed your infant. Every mother has to do what is comfortable and accessible for her. I’m grateful to have had a year of bonding time with my girl, and also grateful to be getting my boobies back. Onto toddlerhood we go #mamasmilk