Breastfeeding Week: A Story About My Boobs
It’s World Breastfeeding Week, every year in over 120 countries, this week is acknowledged to support and advocate for breastfeeding. I was triggered to tell my thoughts on this subject. I promise it won’t just be me complaining about not being able to drink wine like I’d like too.
Let’s get into the facts real quick. According to some research I dug up, 83% of mothers breastfed their babies at birth, by race, 85% of white mothers and 69% of black mothers did the same. I say this to say, according to me, a second time breast feeder, those numbers are absolutely AMAZING. Do you know how demanding breastfeeding is? How painful? How exhausting? How you can’t eat or drink certain things? How you want to eat practically everything you see? How you better not ever forget to bring a pump if you are going away without the baby because ENGORGEMENT my darlings is a real ass thing. Oh, and let’s not forget about how the boobs look afterwards.
It’s not all bad though, the benefits are out of this world. I was that new mom who wanted to do everything the “right” way. Throughout my years of motherhood, I’ve definitely questioned “what the right way” is and I’ve determined there really isn’t one. It’s literally whatever works for you. All in all, when my son was born, the nurses asked me if I would be breastfeeding, I quickly replied yes for two reasons. The first, that new mom pressure, I wanted my baby to have the GOOD STUFF, that liquid gold. Secondly, I’m cheap, breastmilk is free, formula costs that cash money.
So here I am, a new mom fresh out of labor trying to latch this lil person onto my boobs, my poor boobs, *which by the way were in really great fucking shape*, and that pain was excruciating. I rocked out though, the first month, I wanted to scream. Every time he latched on it felt like my nipple was being torn off my breast, every single time. There were even cracks, I ran and purchased that Lanolin nipple cream which didn’t do a damn thing for me. I even purchased those nipple shields, tuh, that was a waste of money too. It got so bad that I cried when he cried because I knew it was time for time for him to eat. That shit was so real. I breastfed my son until he was 19 months old. I stopped cold turkey because by this time, he had a nice set of teeth, he bit me and that was the final straw.
My favorite things selfishly throughout the process was all about me. Did you know that breastfeeding burns 500 calories a day? So, the snapback if that’s what you want to call it was quick. The convenience of not having to wake up throughout the night to make, clean and do anything with bottles was major. The costs! Literally spending $0 to feed your kid, for a thrifty chic like me, that was the ultimate flex. When the baby cries, pull out the boob, it’s a quick fix tool. Of course, the bond between mom and baby, the nutrients baby gets that helps fight off viruses, bacteria, and infections are pretty big deals as well.
I’m currently breastfeeding baby number two which I told myself I wouldn’t. When she was born, it was so hard to resist knowing the bond I’d miss out on, and the money I’d have to spend on formula. Here we are, 13 months in and everyday I’m looking for new milk types to try because she won’t take anything except for my boobs. I’m researching plastic surgeons because this mama is going to get a new set of tits, but in the meantime I’m buying the best bras to convince myself and my tops that the set I currently have are not too bad, I’m looking at my wine collection stock up and I’m trying to remember what it feels like to have a glass with dinner every night. I’m also not completely comfortable pulling my boob out wherever we are to feed her, the playground has to be the most awkward place for me, yet a place we are at everyday and she seems to always want to eat there. I’m going through it right now. As this breastfeeding journey is coming to an end *or so I think* and even though I know how big of a blessing it is to be able to do it, I’m really excited it’s almost over. I just feel like I’ve done my part you know, two babies breastfed past 1. Where’s my damn medal?
Breastfeeding is a beautiful process, it has so many wonderful benefits. I’m not good at sugarcoating so I’ll lay it out, it’s also very difficult and certain occupations don’t allow it. Mamas, there is no way right or wrong way, as long as you feed the kid, that’s the most important. In advocacy of breastfeeding, I’ll leave this here, “don’t knock it until you try it”, if physically you can. Before I go, I just want to shout out all my mamas who are currently breastfeeding, who breastfed and the mamas who didn’t, all of us are GODDAMN SUPERHEROES.
Fun fact: regardless of where the milk came from, all these kids still don’t listen.
Sending you all positive vibes and air hugs! - Hislovelywife