**I wrote this post back September, right before we left town for 5 weeks. I just thought I should go ahead and post it!**
So I didn't post about this sooner because of vacation in August, but I wanted to post about breastfeeding in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. WBF week was actually August 1st-7th and on the 1st I participated in a photo shoot by a local photographer friend. (Photo credit goes to Leilani Rogers.)
I don't know how much I've actually written about breastfeeding on the blog, but I may as well say what was a great thing it has been for me and my babies.
I am perhaps one of those lucky women who found breastfeeding to come naturally, and to date have never had any thrush, plugged ducts, or infection. With both babies there was about a 2 week learning curve to getting the hang of breastfeeding and get comfortable. With Lila I made the mistake of introducing the pacifier within the first couple days of her life, which led to some nipple confusion. Thankfully, I tossed the binky for the month (it's recommended that you don't introduce the pacifier until about 4 weeks old), and I was able to get us back on track. With Walt, he just had a high palate and vigorous suck which resulted in some discomfort at first. After a couple of weeks everything was fine and has been great ever since.
I fully weaned Lila at 21 months, just as I was heading back to school full-time. She doesn't remember me nursing her at all. I used to think that it would bother me to nurse a child that could ask for it, but it didn't. It probably didn't bother me because by the time she was 18 months old I wasn't nursing her in public anymore. Our nursing sessions were only before bed or upon waking by that point. There's also something to be said for the bond between mother and child when you breastfeed your babies.
Anyway, I think breastfeeding can be wonderful. I've heard other women think the exact opposite, so my philosophy is do it if it's good for you and your baby, and for the length of time that you and your baby are comfortable with. And if you have pain or bleeding I would recommend seeing a lactation consultant (bleeding means the latch is not right). Whatever you choose to do, give yourself a pat on the back for doing your best to be a great mom!
P.S. kellymom.com is a great resource for BF questions, which I frequently used when I was a first-time mom!
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