Contributor, Kattie, breastfeeding her 4th child.
Breastfeeding is almost always a hot topic of debate. The media loves to pit women against each other by insisting on formula only, breast only, or a mix of both to involve the partner. And yet, the media seems to forget about the individual mother who is alone in a darkened corner in a rocking chair carrying her baby, just trying to figure out what is right — for her and her baby.
The truth is, only that mother can know what’s right for her baby. But after four children, a combined total of four years breastfeeding, and having just weaned the last one, breastfeeding is a journey like no other. And to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1 – Aug 7), I want to showcase the empowering stories of women who have breastfed their babies.
Breastfeeding stories of triumphs and struggles
I was told it was nearly impossible to breastfeed after a C-section, which is wrong. But I knew that and did the hard work to ensure both girls saw a lacation consultant before we left the hospital to ensure we were on the right path. I also said I wouldn’t be the one to stop them from nursing, so I approached it from a “they’ll tell me when they’re done” mentality. Both of them self-weaned just before they turned 2. I’d like to think we are stories for all c-section mamas, that it’s possible.
– Allison, mom of 2 beautiful girls.
What I loved and continue to love about breastfeeding is that it’s mine alone. It’s the one moment in time when I am impossible to replace. It’s a bonding moment where my body nourishes my child, but my child is nourishing my heart.
Personally, it has been a struggle to choose to continue to breastfeed how I want and block out the noise just because my path differed from most.
I have been breastfeeding for 12 years between the six children, but the longest was nearly four years.
I chose to let my children wean on their own. I chose to let them choose when they felt confident to no longer need me.
– Nancy, mom of 6 wonderful children.
I loved the convenience of breastfeeding — being able to feed my child at a moment’s notice and comfort them with my breast was great.
I personally struggled with pumping and trying to keep giving them breastmilk once I returned to work. While I found everyone from work to airports and event centers to be extremely accommodating when I needed a place to pump, it was more of a pain in the ass to lug the pump and bottles around, keep it clean, keep the milk cold, etc.
I dried up at 9 months with my first. I had been so sick and lost a lot of my supply, and by then, I had a huge freezer stash, so I decided not to fight it. I self-weaned at 9 months for my mental health with my second. Again had a huge freezer stash but struggled with post-partum depression and simply didn’t want to do it anymore.
Overall, I did enjoy breastfeeding, but it’s important to recognize when it’s not serving both mother and child.
– Sarah, mom of 2 charming boys.
My first quit cold turkey after six months. The doctor told me that my milk “soured” from all the stress I was dealing with her biological father, and it wasn’t sweet, and she could taste the difference. Boy, did that hurt! A week of engorged breasts with ace bandage wraps and ice blocks. I was never told I could self-wean to reduce the stop slowly. She transitioned to formula and baby cereal for a few months until she could have whole milk. When I started, my grandmother told me to drink a beer to help my milk come in more. I did, had half a bottle a day for three days (I don’t like beer), and it seemed to work. I always trusted my Gram’s old advice.
My second and third were about the same regarding feeding for 18 months. The beer trick didn’t work with these two, but as the doctors say, “Your body produces what your baby needs.” I would feed on demand. This was also some of my favorite crochet time.
With my first, I dealt with cracking nipples. I was young and didn’t know about any breastfeeding resources. With my last two, I saw a lactation consultant to ensure the lack was good. The last one, though, I had what was called a milk blister at one point. It was over the weekend, so I went to the ER. The doctor had never heard of it and called his partner. She did. I remember the pain but forgot how it went away. I believe it was just a cold compress and Advil. It’s a single clogged milk duct.
I am grateful I could breastfeed my children, but I agree with the statement that a fed baby is a healthy baby.
– Allyson, mom of 3 beautiful children.
I absolutely LOVED nursing my babies. When I was pregnant with my first child, I was 19, and everyone said I couldn’t do it. Truthfully, I have a very low pain tolerance, and people were convinced I would give up. Well, I didn’t!
Four kids and nine years of breastfeeding later, I didn’t just survive; I thrived! I was made for it! — my doctor’s words.
I believe in baby-led weaning, which was a beautiful experience for my children. I also love being able to feed them anywhere, at any time. No fuss, no mess — easy.
I feel very lucky and blessed to have been able to nurse my babies for as long as I did. I loved the bond, the quiet moments, and the convenience of breastfeeding.
– Eryn, mother of 4 amazing children.
All these women had very different journeys with breastfeeding, but they all have one thing in common: triumphs and struggles. Breastfeeding can be isolating. And since only the mom that gave birth to the child can breastfeed them, it’s hard to communicate needs to a partner or others who haven’t gone through it. As one mom put it, “Breastfeeding is difficult because you don’t see anyone doing it. You can observe and learn. It’s all very secretive, where the mom sneaks away to a private, dark corner. The rest of motherhood is easier to pick up. But breastfeeding is harder.”
During World Breastfeeding Week, I encourage mothers to do one of three things (or even all three):
- Ask for help! If you have any questions, doubts, or concerns, please ask for help. You can ask family members, friends who have experienced breastfeeding already, or even your doctor or hospital. Many hospitals offer free lactation consultations, and many insurance cover these services. Please use it.
- Free the nipple! Or drop the cover! Just embrace breastfeeding with your child. Don’t hide in a bathroom or hot car (I’ve been there). And don’t stay home because you’re nervous about your baby wanting to eat while you’re out (also been there). Feed your baby when they want, how they want. And don’t care about anyone else. Their discomfort is not your or your baby’s problem.
- Educate, empower, engage! Talk to people about breastfeeding; if you see a mom in public struggling, encourage her or even chat with friends about your experiences. Let’s band together and not make breastfeeding weird or taboo because it is the completely opposite. It is the most normal thing in the world.
As World Breastfeeding Week unfolds, let’s celebrate the power of motherhood, the strength of women, and the beauty of breastfeeding. Together, we can break barriers, challenge taboos, and create a world where every mother feels confident and supported in nourishing her child—the most precious gift of all.
