I’ve rarely heard the word “loss” associated with breastfeeding. But for the mom who can’t breastfeed, or the mom who stopped earlier than she wanted to, or the mom who needed to seek support or take medication, that’s exactly what it is. There’s that element of, “This is not how it’s supposed to be.” But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that our love is the gold standard.
Read MoreIt was sometime around 3:00pm, if I’m remembering right, and we were sitting down to feed again. Those early months are still hazy, but I’m almost sure it was afternoon because the sun shined warm and golden through the nursery window. My baby was rooting and beginning to fuss, and I was dreading the next hour and a half…I kept thinking (and being told) that we would overcome our breastfeeding challenges…
Read MoreDo you know how I ended up feeding my baby? I nestled him against my body and ran my finger over his eyelashes. I studied the movement of his squishy cheeks and wrinkled nose. I took mental snapshots of his fingers and toes, knowing they would be bigger than mine in no time at all. I caressed the top of his head with my hand. I watched as he closed his eyes in peace when I gave him a bottle.
Read MoreNow, we are more knowledgeable about breastfeeding challenges, albeit with some strides to go, but we know that tongue ties and lip ties are among them. So, how do you know if a tongue tie and/or lip tie is affecting your baby’s feeding? When a baby is tongue-tied, the movement of the tongue is restricted so he will often suck more intensely and grasp firmly on mom’s nipple…
Read MoreFor some moms, however, breastfeeding is truly challenging and requires supplementing with formula, an at-breast supplementer, or exclusive pumping. For others, it is not possible due to a medical issue…In any case, what’s worse for a mom in one of these situations is to feel isolated and unsupported because she thinks that she is giving her child less than “best.”
Read MoreI have to admit that our time those first few months was clouded by trying so hard to breastfeed. When I look back, the prevailing question is not, Did I try hard enough? (although that certainly surfaces), but rather, Did I miss other things because I was so consumed by this? My baby didn’t get much milk from me, but he did get my overwhelming, unconditional love day after day…
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