Through my journey I found
specific phases as I went along and I thought it may be fun to share them with
all of you and see if you had the same experiences or milestone feelings as I
did so here we go…
You cannot wait to breastfeed you
gear yourself up for it, you read books you join forums you focus on that end
result. You are positive and tell
yourself almost every day that it is going to be a wonderful journey shared by
only you and your baby and that it will
be wonderful sunshine and roses…..
Day 1
Your bundle has come into the
world you are excited you want them to latch strait away and are somewhat disappointed
if they don’t, even more so if your baby is in nicu, your bubble has somewhat
deflated but ever positive and determined you press on.
Day 2
Your baby has latched and you
bask in the glory that is a breastfeeding mom, you feel proud and accomplished
everything should be smooth sailing from here on out right?
Day 3
Your milk comes in and you are dying
at the same time the 3 day blues kick in and you find yourself turning into an
emotional mess for no reason whatsoever…. Who thought you would make a good
mother anyway, why are they crying do they not like you, are you doing
something wrong….
Week 2
You are home and somewhat
settled, your boobs are sore your nipples cracked, your baby wants to feed
every 2 hours and you have had no sleep, you try to stay positive and lather on
creams and cabbage leaves galore… it will get better it must… the bubble must
not pop…
Month 2
Your supply has settled out and
things are starting to look up, your baby may be sleeping longer now and you
slip into a smug feeling of content you are a Goddess feeding your child as
nature intended, your baby is growing and all is well in the world.
Month 4
People try to tempt you with
early solid introduction, but you stay strong and push on you can do this!!!!
Month 6
You hoped but secretly doubted
you would make it this far, you are even more smug, you question whether solids
are really necessary because your supply of liquid gold has not let you down,
you feel amazing, you are a supermom…. and then the 6 month regression hits and
you are back to feeding every 2 hours and secretly envying the formula moms,
you glare at dad snoring next to you and secretly plot accidently waking him
with a flat iron… ok ok a pillow lets be nice.
Month 8
Past the half way mark, baby is
eating solids and you are still basking in the glory of being your babies main
food source, you take pride when people tell you how well and healthy your
child looks and start to question why you ever second guessed yourself at all,
some may give you the eye or tell you to stop but you are on a glorious high
and there is no stopping now not when you have worked so hard and baby is so
happy.
Month 10
Superstar you have made it so far
just 2 more months and you can start weaning, you feel great and proud that you
have pushed through and gotten this far, you love the time with your bundle
although they are starting to fidget and move about somewhat., you have gotten
so far you can do this!
Month 12
Cue the chorus you have made it
and just in the nick of time, your child has become a monkey overnight and has
developed all new ways and positions to feed in that don’t take your comfort
level into account, they may also have lifted up your top in public or shouted
boob in the middle of a store like my son did….people start giving you the eye
when you speak about feeding them still, they try and coax you to formula or cow’s
milk, why breastfeed it’s so much trouble and they don’t need it anymore, they
may even throw in that your milk is no longer nutritious enough for your baby…
Month 15
So you said you would wean but it
has not been as easy as you thought, every time you say no your little one
turns into a mini monster crying and grabbing at you like it’s their body and
not yours, they are miserable and your mommy heart just cannot take it so you
give in and wind up cursing yourself for doing so but at the same time feeling
so content that your baby wants and needs you still, you are taken back to
their new born stage and this is the only thing that keeps you from running
down to catch the broody train once again.
Month 18
Ok enough now, you want your body
back, feeding time has become a mixture of aerobics classes and yearning for a
glass of wine; you attempt to wean again…. Must be strong… MUST stay strong
Month 24
2 years wow you never thought you
would make it this far, still haven’t weaned and you have given hope that you
will ever have your body to yourself again so you may as well just accept it….
Beyond 2 years
One day you realise that your
child hasn’t ask for boob, it happens once then twice… you get a glimmer of
hope you start prepping the wine… haha jokes on you they feed again … and then
nothing for a few days again and never again… you sit with your glass of wine your
baby asleep and you gaze at them lovingly, you may shed a tear you think about
your journey and curse the fact that you were so eager for it to come to an
end, you miss those sweet moments and secretly somewhat wish that this is just
a phase and they will want boob again… days turn into weeks and you realise the
journey is over, your reflect on what a journey it was maybe reprimand yourself
for not taking more time to cherish it but in the end you are content, you made
it further than you thought you would and its hard letting your child grow up
and know they no longer need you for everything… the next part of the journey
awaits but these moments are some of your most cherished….
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