loopyloulaura

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5 fab things about breastfeeding and the reasons it sucks (pun intended!)

This week is World Breastfeeding Week. I have already written about my own breastfeeding journey and focused this week on supporting mums because breastfeeding is NOT EASY!
Today I am thinking about the highs and lows of breastfeeding from a personal and hopefully slightly humorous perspective πŸ™‚

 

The health benefits
As well as protecting against cancer and giving immunity to the baby, breastfeeding burns up calories so it is easier to get back in shape after having a baby. The downside is avoiding wine and caffeinated drinks, an essential for sleep deprived mums! Although admittedly also healthier…
The peace and quiet
The joy of being able to stick your boob in the baby’s mouth and the instant silence. I got through so many books and TV shows while breastfeeding, it was heaven! It’s a lovely opportunity to relax.
Shame about the other kids running amok… Plus then having to whisper tell off the others so you don’t wake up baby πŸ™ Then the mum guilt attacks: guilt about feeling lazy, guilt about spending not enough time with the others, guilt about not focusing on baby, guilt about the housework (yes really!)
The inventiveness and skill development
Going to the toilet, making coffee, taking notes in a meeting writing with the wrong hand, wiping a child’s bum, running around with a wet wipe instead of actual cleaning, cooking a meal, doing homework, blogging. All possible whilst breastfeeding. Hurrah! πŸ™‚ Of course then you are described as superwoman/supermum and that is a lot to live up to when you are having a crappy day and the multitasking doesn’t go to plan.
The hideously vain reason
I finally had an impressive bosom! After years of being flat chested, I managed to fill a bra! Yowsers!
Β 
The problem with that is that after a feed you get a bit wonky πŸ™‚ I won’t mention how boobless I am now 3 kids later… πŸ™
Emotions and smugness
Strong bond, good attachment etc and that’s just me! But also Zach did this kind of half smirk smug face when he got his own way which was cute but really annoying.
So despite the mastitis, the engorgement, feeling like a milk machine and losing all sense of my own identity, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. It is lovely and terrifying to be so relied upon and I felt completely useless once it had finished. Saying goodbye to the baby stage for probably the last time was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through.
My final thought is that breastfeeding is amazing, difficult and has problems but my own experiences were overwhelmingly positive. All 3 of my children were combination fed successfully, allowing others to create a bond and giving me the option of a break (zzz…). Good luck to all mums out there, however you are feeding.

 


17 comments

  1. Hi Laura, I had terrible trouble breast feeding my first one, but I am so glad I persevered. I loved those middle of the night feeds when it felt like the whole world was asleep. Breast feeding isn’t always easy, but it’s far cheaper and there is no worrying about sterilising bottles when you’d rather sleep. I remember feeling really sad when I gave my daughter her last feed when she turned one. It’s something I knew I’d never do again.

    I wonder how many women love their breasts when breast feeding? I think that was the only time I managed to fill a bra too! Okay, so our breasts will never be the perky things they once were, but we should be proud of our droopy spaniel ear boobs (I’m probably speaking for myself there), they’ve taken a battering and survived (well, sort of).

    Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.

    xx

  2. As much as I understand the benefits of breast feeding, it wasn’t something I did with my two. I don’t think I would have ever taken them out if I had! I’m not confident enough to feed in public. They’re both happy, healthy children though, so I don’t think I did them any harm for choosing not to breastfeed πŸ™‚

    Louise x

  3. I didn’t breastfeed for very long due to problems but whatever way you are feeding it is great to just have that time to relax and spend quality time with your baby πŸ™‚ Thank you for linking up with #kcacols hope you can join us again next time!

  4. Great to hear about your experience of breastfeeding. It sounds like a great choice for you and your family and a fab way to spend some quality time with your baby
    Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes πŸ™‚
    Debbie

  5. Laura @ Dot Makes 4

    Great post πŸ™‚ I loved that I was able to breastfeed both of my two. Nearly two years on since I stopped, I do miss the bust it gave me!
    #KCACOLS

  6. Pingback: Stop telling me to… | Musings of a tired mummy…zzz…

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