My Breastfeeding Journey: Celebrating 1 Year!
So it’s been a year since I started my breastfeeding journey. Technically, it’s going on 14 months for me!! Initially, my goal was to breastfeed for six months. However, I hit that goal and kept going!
I want to share my breastfeeding journey—-how was my experience, what am I learning, why am I breastfeeding. But first here are some quick facts:
Breastmilk has everything your baby needs. Your milk composition actually changes to meet your baby’s needs.
You can actually drink alcohol if you breastfeed. As long as you can drive, you can nurse. So you don’t have to pump and dump.
August is breastfeeding month
World Breastfeeding week is August 1-7
Black Breastfeeding Week is August 25-31
My Experience With Breastfeeding
When it came to my breastfeeding journey, I didn’t see any other way. I think this is contributed to the fact that there are more resources and education regarding breastfeeding now. So I guess you can say all I knew was breastfeeding.
I love breastfeeding! Of course, there are days I’m ready to stop and there are days that are difficult. But breastfeeding is the most natural, healthy thing you can do for your baby.
My journey started at the hospital. I remember. I had no idea what I was doing. I was engorged and my breasts were huge.
After leaving the hospital and coming home, I learned that I needed to feed every 2-3 hours. I learned about hungry cues, latching, and the different feeding positions.
Because my son was not gaining enough weight, his pediatrician recommended I pump. However, my doula at the time directed me to wait on pumping and keep breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding 101: Don’t pump the first six weeks unless there is a medical reason. Your breasts need time to regulate its supply. Pumping could cause an oversupply which could lead to mastitis.
I also saw a lactation consultant at my local WIC office. We had been trying to get my son’s weight up for a minute. I was worried. The next step was to supplement with formula and that’s what my LC suggested. I was saddened. Even though formula isn’t necessarily bad, I wanted to give my son the best and breastfeed.
Well my spirits were lifted when I talked to my midwife. She said there was another option. Donor’s milk! Donor’s milk is basically milk from another woman. Although it’s from another woman it was still better than formula. I was able to get free breastmilk (because it was donated) with the help of my midwife. It was tested and frozen.
The order is breastmilk, donor’s milk, then formula
Let me just say, I think donor’s milk is not talked about enough. At least for me , I had no idea there was such a thing,
We did end up getting my son’s weight up though. I actually had to breastfeed every hour during that time. His pediatrician did not try to convince me to use formula. She was understanding.
Overall, breastfeeding has been a positive experience for me. It has taught me to be in the moment. There are plenty times especially when I first started where I literally had to stop what I was doing to feed my son. I just relaxed and forgot about doing anything else at the moment. I used that time to bond and just adore my son.
In the beginning, breastfeeding may be difficult. You’re just learning . Problems may arise. But it’s truly worth it and the best thing you can do for your baby.
Stay Encouraged
When I get frustrated or think about stopping, I try to think about the fact that this time is precious. Once he grows up, breastfeeding will be over, and I will never do it again unless I have another child. Plus, babies nurse for comfort and I’m the only person that can give my baby this specific comfort and nutrition.
So if you were to ask me why I breastfeed, here’s my answer:
“I Breastfeed because I’m giving my best to my child.
I breastfeed because it’s inexpensive. It’s natural and it’s a way to bond with my child.”
I am literally my child’s pacifer. It’s also a blessing for me to breastfeed considering my ancestor’s experience with breastfeeding. It also seems , for whatever reason, my elders did not get the opportunity to breastfeed.
Support & Education
I believe it’s important to have support and be educated about breastfeeding. I believe it will play a part in how long you breastfeed and how you view breastfeeding. I’ve heard some stories of mothers ending it , for example, because baby is biting. But if you have that support and education, you’ll learn that baby is probably teething or done eating, and you’ll learn that there are solutions to these problems.
Now I’m not mom shaming. You have to do what’s best for you. I’m just making the point that breastfeeding will be more successful due to having support and education.
I want to share the three things that has helped me:
Please join a breastfeeding support group and one that is evidence based. I joined one that is specifically for black mothers called Breastfeeding Support Group for Black Moms. I love this group because there is so much information provided. Pretty much anything you need help with you can find a post or article on it. I also love that it’s brining awareness because black women are less likely to breastfeed. This group has helped me when my son had thrush, when I experienced clusterfeeding, and when my son started biting.
I see a lactation consultant at my local WIC office. My LC was/is helpful because I call (set up an appointment to be seen in person before the pandemic) and get help. It’s also a great feeling to be able to sit and talk with someone who has experience breastfeeding and understands.
Infant Risk….This is a center that “provides counseling and data on the use of drugs and other substances in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.” They also have an app. I’ve called and asked about vitamans and medications I was taking. It’s important to know if a medication will be harmful to baby and if it will pass through your breastmilk to baby.
As stated before, we are going on 14 months now and I plan to let my son self-wean unless I absolutely have/need to stop.
I love that breastfeeding is being normalized. After all, it is natural and we are just feeding and comforting our babies.