Transparency Tuesday: Breastfeeding
I remember when I was pregnant with my first child.. I imagined how breastfeeding would be... he'd latch on the first time-- and I'd successfully breastfeed.. no pain.. no complications.
During my antenatal classes, I remember how much they were emphasizing on how breastfeeding is the best way etc etc-- to the point where some of the mothers were actually getting a little upset because it's not everyone that will be able to breastfeed-- or not be able to breastfeed as long as they may want.
For me personally-- for my first child I want to breastfeed for so long.. and it turned out I only breastfed for 4 months... and then switched to formula due to the fact that he wasn't gaining as much weight as he should have. Things happen-- some people produce a lot of breast milk.. for me my breast milk production wasn't too bad.. but it just wasn't enough. I tried so many things to enhance production.. teas.. offering the breast as much as possible.. pumping.. and still the same result.
With my second child- I only recently stopped breastfeeding; I would have never breastfed for this long usually. It was due to the fact that he has a lot of food allergies-- including milk. So I couldn't switch him to formula-- and as much as there were other milk alternatives out there; he still reacted to them! So I just thought let me breastfeed for as long as I possibly can as well as him eating solids. There was a struggle with his weight gain-- he would gain but very slow and steady due to the fact he is very limited on what he can eat (that's another story for another blog!)
Breastfeeding is a lovely.. amazing bonding experience to have with your baby.. but after a while it gets to a point-- it's like you feel a shift in your own body that there is a time where you just need to stop. Because breastfeeding can be such an inconvenient experience at times; it takes a toll on you.. your energy.. it can actually be a little daunting at times. Once your child turns 1.. the breast milk doesn't have the same effect anymore.. it's not their sole food anymore... but having that closeness and that bond.. you can't trade it for the world.
During my antenatal classes, I remember how much they were emphasizing on how breastfeeding is the best way etc etc-- to the point where some of the mothers were actually getting a little upset because it's not everyone that will be able to breastfeed-- or not be able to breastfeed as long as they may want.
For me personally-- for my first child I want to breastfeed for so long.. and it turned out I only breastfed for 4 months... and then switched to formula due to the fact that he wasn't gaining as much weight as he should have. Things happen-- some people produce a lot of breast milk.. for me my breast milk production wasn't too bad.. but it just wasn't enough. I tried so many things to enhance production.. teas.. offering the breast as much as possible.. pumping.. and still the same result.
With my second child- I only recently stopped breastfeeding; I would have never breastfed for this long usually. It was due to the fact that he has a lot of food allergies-- including milk. So I couldn't switch him to formula-- and as much as there were other milk alternatives out there; he still reacted to them! So I just thought let me breastfeed for as long as I possibly can as well as him eating solids. There was a struggle with his weight gain-- he would gain but very slow and steady due to the fact he is very limited on what he can eat (that's another story for another blog!)
Breastfeeding is a lovely.. amazing bonding experience to have with your baby.. but after a while it gets to a point-- it's like you feel a shift in your own body that there is a time where you just need to stop. Because breastfeeding can be such an inconvenient experience at times; it takes a toll on you.. your energy.. it can actually be a little daunting at times. Once your child turns 1.. the breast milk doesn't have the same effect anymore.. it's not their sole food anymore... but having that closeness and that bond.. you can't trade it for the world.
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