***Disclaimer: Everyone has their own beliefs and opinions on how their should feed their children, this is how I feel about feeding our child(ren).***
I love breastfeeding. I am beyond proud of my body for being able to feed Jake for a year (and exclusively for almost 6 months!). I have always planned on breastfeeding our children, but I never realized how passionate I would become about it until I had Jake. Actually before Jake was born I had planned on breastfeeding but pumping anytime we were going to be out and exclusively pumping once he got teeth. But once he was here that all went out the window and the plan was/is to let him nurse until he weans himself (for the most part).
Part of the change in plan was because of research that shows that babies that are breastfeed exclusively for 6 months tend to be healthier in the long run and the strong recommendations that babies be breastfed for at least a year and as long past that as desired by both baby and mother. And while this information is great, the biggest factor that played into the change was the awesome bond and time that I get with Jake. Fortunately, breastfeeding came pretty easy (I know that is not always the case) so within the first week it was pretty relaxing and gave me time to just cuddle with him. The one day that I spent in the hospital when he was 5 days old were so hard not only because I didn't get to be with Jake, but because I was upset that he was having to get formula. I am thankful that formula is an option because I could not feed Jake at the time but one of my biggest fears before becoming a mom was that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed and that I would have to give my baby something made in a factory instead of what they should naturally be eating. But those about 36 hours of him getting formula just made me reinforce my efforts to avoid formula for the remainder of his first year. So much so, that when, at the beginning of January, I was needed to work full time and realized that between the low pumping output and low freezer supply left I would not have enough to feed Jake breastmilk until his first birthday I seriously considered an offer from a friend to give me some of her extra milk in her freezer. Had it been longer than 3ish weeks that this was going to be an issue I would have done it. Fortunately, because it was only about 3 weeks Josh and I felt it would be fine to start Jake on whole milk and still avoid formula.
One part of breastfeeding that not only frightened me in the beginning, but that I was very self concious about as well, was nursing in public. I felt like I would be really exposed (even with a nursing cover) and that everyone would be looking at me. Sometime around 5 or 6 months I was really comfortable nursing Jake where ever we were as long as I used the cover and I tried to get to somewhere a little descrete. Right around 8 months Jake decided that he was no longer a fan of having his head covered and it became more difficult to feed him when we were out somewhere because he would keep moving the cover. Of course we couldn't just stay at home so eventually I got comfortable without the cover and more comfortable not trying to hide somewhere. And now it just seems so easy and natural do nurse him where ever without giving it another thought. Although I do still use the cover at times, if I forgot it one time, it wouldn't be a big deal. I love that nursing Jake has made me more comfortable and hopefully I will be comfortable nursing our next child(ren) as soon as they are born.
I know that we are at least getting closer to weaning and it makes me sad. I can't wait to have to opportunity breastfeed our next child (and any ones after that as well!).
