All ‘Bout Breastfeeding, part 1

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I’ve been breastfeeding for nearly 2 and a half years. Not consistently. And not with the same kid, but 2 and a half years is a long time. Really long.

When Big was born in 2003 I was terrified. I wanted to try breastfeeding, but I’m not so sure I had confidence in breastfeeding. I set a goal: I was going to try this and make it workn for 6 weeks. And, honestly, I didn’t like it at first. No. Really. It was awkward. A bit uncomfortable. And I felt like I had a choice: completely lose my modesty or hide in a closet for the next 6 weeks.

At around 3 weeks, I took Big to the pediatrician for a sick visit: his spit up was extreme. The doctor made me feed him in the office! It was terrible. I couldn’t imagine doing this for any longer, screw the 6 week goal, I thought. It turned out to be reflux, and that, alone, gave me an excuse to want to quit.

At 4 weeks, I recall crying to the Nurse Practitioner. She shared with me that it was okay to quit breastfeeding, it wasn’t for everyone. Then she shared that she made it to 6 weeks. I’m a competitive person, and there was that 6 week goal again.

I hid. It wasn’t easy, but, then again, new parenthood isn’t easy, so hiding for 6 weeks isn’t so hard. At the time I was working very, very parttime. I recall a meeting that I took Big to while he slept in his carrier around 5 weeks old. When he woke up crying with hunger I left the meeting, jumped in my car, drove about a mile away to a partially empty parking lot and fed him there, in the backseat of my car with a blanket over my shoulder. I remember a man walking to his car about 10 spots away. I crouched down further in the backseat, horrified he’d see.

But around 6 weeks, quitting time, I realized how easy I had it. Suddenly, just at 6 weeks, breastfeeding was simple. Sure, I was still shy, but I could do this. I set a new goal for myself: 6 months. There was no way, I thought, that I could go beyond 6 months. But to make it that far would be awesome.

At 6 months there was no point in stopping. We were on a role. The Reflux was slowing down, the schedule was down pat and I had friends who breastfed. I was still a modest breastfeeder, but I was certainly a breastfeeder.

And, so, I made it to 13 months. By the end of the first year we were certainly weaning. He was eating lots of solids and reaching for drinks. It was an emotional time, weaning. But it was time for us.

I’m a Bravado Mama! Come back next week to read All ’bout Breastfeeding, Part 2 when I’ll share my breastfeeding story with Middle. In the meantime, read about Basics by Bravado at Target and the Basics by Bravado “Spot a Mom” Sweepstakes.

Your Baby’s First Year (parenting-success.com)
Parenting in Public (attachmentparenting.org)
Public Breastfeeding: Is There a Stigma? (dietriffic.com)
How To Get Started Breastfeeding (howcast.com)

About Julie Meyers Pron

Julie Meyers Pron has written 815 post in this blog.

mom of 3 and wife, Julie is a former elementary school teacher and a Public Relations manager. She is the owner/editor of Just Precious, founding partner of Just Centsible, and a team member of Splash Creative Media. Julie is a PTOer, volunteer, elementary educator and that's just the beginning of the list!