Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Today I wanted to share my breastfeeding story. It’s incredible how different one child can be from the next, and how much easier it can be the second time around. Of course, we’ve got a long way to go. But all the experiences I’ve had with Aden as a baby have definitely taught me so much, making things like breastfeeding much more enjoyable with Ariah.
With Aden, breastfeeding was hard. It didn’t come as naturally as we’re meant to believe. Aden wasn’t latching properly, which meant I experienced soreness, my nipples were callused and I was in pain for about 8 weeks. I was having a hard time keeping up my supply of milk and it was taking a major emotional toll on me. All this in the midst of things I had to learn and research as a new mom – it was important to know, for example that I needed to eat right while breastfeeding to give my baby what he needed. (What we eat can even contribute to whether or not the baby gets colic.) There was just so much to learn, and so much I wanted to be able to do. I wanted so desperately to breastfeed that when it didn’t seem like a viable option, I broke down. But I was determined not to give up.
I know I’m not the only woman to have felt this way. In fact, I didn’t have it as bad as some women do. Breastfeeding can come easy and it can be nearly impossible. There are a ton of reasons for this, but the one that affected me was Aden’s latch. It took some time, but I finally learned how to get the right latch, and then breastfeeding was much easier. Let me tell you you, if breastfeeding is important to you, do not leave the hospital unless you’ve had the right latch with your baby!
When it came time to breastfeed Ariah, I have to admit I was a little worried. I wanted to be sure that I could give her my antibodies, feed her nutrients and give her enough of my milk to help prevent her from getting sick. Thankfully my worries were unwarranted. I took everything I learned from my experience with Aden and Ariah had the perfect latch from day one. The nurses even commented that they wished Ariah could teach the other babies there! Lol.
Where breastfeeding with Aden was challenging, with Ariah it’s been unbelievable. I can’t fully express how it actually feels, but the bond it’s building between us is amazing. I cherish every second I can sit down and feed her. It’s our private time together, and I really find it so relaxing. It makes me feel good to know that I can give her everything that her body needs, and I plan to do so until she’s one year. And women must do what’s right for their baby–which can include bottle feeding of course. In that case, I’ve discovered that Gentle Gerber formula is best!
I’ve learned to trust my baby.
I hope hearing my story will help any new mommas out there! Share your experiences with me in the comments.
Xx,
Tamera
With Aden, breastfeeding was hard. It didn’t come as naturally as we’re meant to believe. Aden wasn’t latching properly, which meant I experienced soreness, my nipples were callused and I was in pain for about 8 weeks. I was having a hard time keeping up my supply of milk and it was taking a major emotional toll on me. All this in the midst of things I had to learn and research as a new mom – it was important to know, for example that I needed to eat right while breastfeeding to give my baby what he needed. (What we eat can even contribute to whether or not the baby gets colic.) There was just so much to learn, and so much I wanted to be able to do. I wanted so desperately to breastfeed that when it didn’t seem like a viable option, I broke down. But I was determined not to give up.
I know I’m not the only woman to have felt this way. In fact, I didn’t have it as bad as some women do. Breastfeeding can come easy and it can be nearly impossible. There are a ton of reasons for this, but the one that affected me was Aden’s latch. It took some time, but I finally learned how to get the right latch, and then breastfeeding was much easier. Let me tell you you, if breastfeeding is important to you, do not leave the hospital unless you’ve had the right latch with your baby!
When it came time to breastfeed Ariah, I have to admit I was a little worried. I wanted to be sure that I could give her my antibodies, feed her nutrients and give her enough of my milk to help prevent her from getting sick. Thankfully my worries were unwarranted. I took everything I learned from my experience with Aden and Ariah had the perfect latch from day one. The nurses even commented that they wished Ariah could teach the other babies there! Lol.
Where breastfeeding with Aden was challenging, with Ariah it’s been unbelievable. I can’t fully express how it actually feels, but the bond it’s building between us is amazing. I cherish every second I can sit down and feed her. It’s our private time together, and I really find it so relaxing. It makes me feel good to know that I can give her everything that her body needs, and I plan to do so until she’s one year. And women must do what’s right for their baby–which can include bottle feeding of course. In that case, I’ve discovered that Gentle Gerber formula is best!
I’ve learned to trust my baby.
I hope hearing my story will help any new mommas out there! Share your experiences with me in the comments.
Xx,
Tamera
68 Responses
Thanks for sharing. My experience breastfeeding my daughter was hard. The day she was boring she nursed for 3 hours straight I was so sore, frustrated and scared that this is what it would be and feel like. I didn’t want to give up so i fought though the pain. When we left the hospital it wasn’t that bad and the pain was manageable. A week later my daughter was nursing every hour and a half and would nurse for 45 minutes at a time. My mother thought this was too much and maybe she wasn’t getting enough milk and it made me start to think the same thing and I broke down and cried and prayed to God because I didn’t want to stop trying but I didn’t know if my child was getting enough milk. So that night I tried to give her formula but she didn’t want it. That was a sign for me not to give up and I knew right then and there that I was doing the right thing. After that my experience was better. Breastfeeding was new to me and my daughter we had to learn together and I’m glad i didn’t give up. Now me and my daughter (who is 14 months now) are closer than ever.
Awe my decision to breast feed my daughter for a year, was one that I was very proud of . I only breast fed my first baby for 6 months because I wasn’t producing enough milk, but my baby girl is now 2 and still breastfeeding. Lol.
Tamera, you may have seen my recent photo that is going viral on social media.. If not, I would love for you to read it as it has reached well over 350,000 people and has been in German newspapers and websites, Australian Parenting Websites and other sites all in America. I now have over 25,000 followers on my page and counting each minute. I am using this to my advantage. I made a page called Intactalactivist Mama and am speaking out and responding to all the media and publishers that are currently contacting me. I don’t do it for attention or fame. My goal is to empower and support ALL mamas. We all have the power to change what society sees as normal and acceptable. Thank you for being brave and sharing your story/pictures as well.
love and support from a fellow breastfeeder!-Ashley Kaidel
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1061611720518394&set=a.207669255912649.55185.100000087277589&type=3
Ashley Kaidel, please, grow up sometime in the near future and act with some class and grace. It must get cold in your trailer in the winter. We don’t care about your child or you and if I were the restaurant management I would’ve escorted you out and banned you from the restaurant. You’re not the only paying customer and manufacturing a conflict where there was none because you’re an uneducated, simpleton of a SAHM speaks volumes. Grow up.
Those are some great tits
Thank you for this post. My son Sebastian will be 8 weeks on Sunday and everything you described with your son I also have been going through. First time mom and everything is so new and exciting…and a challenge. But each day it gets a little bit easier and I’m so happy I’m pushing through. Congrats to you and your family on your baby girl.
I’m going to be breastfeeding and pumping I hope I can do it for the one yr but I will pump his milk in the bottle if breastfeeding don’t work out for me. Good luck congratulations she so adorable.
If you can avoid pumping until you and the baby have really gotten very experienced, you will have more success. it is nice to be able to hand your milk to someone to feed your baby (dad’s enjoy the experience) but set yourself up for success first. Right now you should be number one with your baby and it is worth it! I’d you have problems seek help through your local Le leche organization
My nipples are very sore and cut up from him sucking I don’t no if I can continue.
you can buy creams for sore and cracked nipples. I found that Lansinoh worked best for me. Id like to encourage you to continue breastfeeding for your sake as well as baby’s. There are so many positive benefits to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of cancer for you and baby as well as other diseases, brain function is increased in baby and so much more.
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