I'm doing Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day challenge on Instagram. Of course I am. I haz the iPhone! Today is "Every Day" and the above is what I posted.
Day in, day out, it's me and my girl, in the rocking chair.
I call it the boob smoosh.
I would never suppose to tell someone they had to do things a certain way when it comes to motherhood. I am not interested in being a boob nazi.
But breastfeeding has been such a joy in my life as a mum.
I was in the enviable position of finding breastfeeding easy with each baby. Easy. So I am in no position to tell a woman to just push through the struggles – because I never had any.
In saying that, breastfeeding wasn't particularly comfortable for the first week or so. I had the usual grazes and ouchiness with each new baby. I liken it to getting a new pair of heels. You need to break them in.
In theory, I wanted to breastfeed, but I did worry that I wouldn't like the reality. I just thought I'd give it a whirl and see what happened.
On reflection, my breastfeeding journey has been a huge and happy surprise.
And for that reason alone, if anyone ever asked, I would encourage them to give it a go.
You and I have had the same experience here, and I’m also very grateful to have had it so easy. It’s one of the things that I love about you – you don’t gloat, and you understand it’s not for everyone. Too many people are interested in pushing the BFing agenda at all costs.
PS – Love the new shoes analogy! Exactly how it was for me too.
When pregnant with my girl I found the idea of breastfeeding completely gross. I planned to make a token effort, then proclaim it too hard and grab some bottles… but then she fed first time, nice and easy, and refused bottles. I had no choice but to go with it, and I’m so glad it worked out that way. It was a really special time and she absolutely thrived.
Just hoping it will be as easy this time around!
Oh Megan, this was such an honest reply. I suspect many of us feel this way in the beginning – that it’s weird but we’ll feign an attempt to quiet the critics.
When it works, I think it can be such a joy. Glad you experienced that and I bet it will go that way again.
Not long! xxx
Yes, we definitely had the same BF story, didn’t we? And what a relief. It’s just been awesome for me and my bubs.
But yeah, no judgement here. Unless you breastfeed another woman’s baby using HER boobs, how can you ever know what she is feeling?
xx