I'm going to be brutally honest. I don't like breastfeeding. For me, it's a means to an end.
Don't get me wrong. I'm so happy for the mamas who love breastfeeding their babies. I'm so happy that for some, it's a way to bond with your baby and get closer to them. That's a fabulous way to connect with your baby.
It hasn't been that way for me. 3 months into the adventure, I'm finally nursing mostly pain-free. We've had a lot of problems with a variety of issues, including poor latch, overactive letdown, and thrush (maybe?). There are moments when I've thought it would be a lot easier to just give G a bottle and be done with it - that way anyone could feed him, at any time. I think I would actually have a more positive reaction to feeding if it weren't connected to something that's been painful for me.
But, I'm still breastfeeding. Why? Because I can't deny the benefits that come with it. If this were a paper, I'd start citing sources for you. But, I'll just let you do the research on your own if you want to. Basically, for G, it strengthens his immune system, gives him all-encompassing nutrition, and doesn't have some of the same effects that formula has (i.e. he won't be stuck on one type of formula because that's what he's gotten used to).
For me? It lowers my risk of breast cancer, amazingly. And, it's basically free. Okay, we paid for a breast pump so that I can continue to nurse when I go back to work. Other than that cost and some costs associated with it - nursing pads, milk bags, etc. - there's no other cost. And, it doesn't require special storage - no need to prepare a bottle before he eats. No planning on ice packs, measuring formula, paying for more formula, etc.
For moms who formula feed: I get it. I really do. And if it weren't for mamas that I've known who have nursed and for encouragement from places like WIC, maybe I would have gone the same route. And for those of you who nurse and love it: I get it. I've had moments where I've thought that it's so nice to have G so close to me. But I'm not writing a love letter to breast feeding. I do it because I know it's good for the both of us.
We're heading into a transition time, where I'll be going back to work and G will be going to day care. I'm hoping we'll be able to successfully make that transition and continue pumping/breastfeeding. Will I make it a year? I'd like to. Any time that I get, though, I consider a blessing.
