"I always knew I would breastfeed my children. To me, breastfeeding is about so much more than offering nutrition and sustenance; it is about offering your body to your children and allowing them to slowly adjust from being in your womb to living outside it in this big world independent of you. Every time I nurse my girls, I feel I am able to reestablish that sacred, physical bond that exists only between a mother and child.
"When we had our first daughter Chloe, I just assumed that I would breastfeed until one year of age. As if that were some "magical" number and that 12 months of age marked the big transition from "baby" to "kid", and we would just "stop". Chloe's first birthday rolled around and neither of us even entertained the idea of abandoning breastfeeding. Breasfeeding a toddler is different than breastfeeding an infant, as my breasts became less about food and more about comfort, but it was still an important component of our life together. I nursed Chloe until she was two, and I was about 7 months pregnant with our second child. She naturally weaned herself and adores watching me nurse our new baby daugther Evie.
"With a busy toddler and busy life, I am so thankful for the ability to nurse my newborn as it allows us the freedom and flexibility to keep up with Chloe's schedule without a great deal of preparation, expense, or waste. When people questioned my sanity for nursing a walking, talking ball of energy, I reminded them that all toddlers have something they need to feel comforted and safe (a pacifier, a special toy or blanket, etc.). For me, I was okay with my toddler needing just plain old me to be comforted.
"At the risk of sounding too "rosy", I better say that I am intimately familiar with the challenges associated with breastfeeding too (sore nipples, engorgement, wet spots on the shirts and a hungry little hippo gnawing at my neck when I am in a deep sleep, etc.), but those challenges seem so insignificant when compared to this amazing gift that nature has afforded us. I applaud all the devoted mamas who strive to give their babies the very best and I hope that social acceptance continues to grow for breastfeeding in public places. I also think it is important to support and recognize the moms who work outside of the home and continue to make the extraordinary effort to pump every few hours in order to ensure that their baby's caregivers are able to "nurse" their children with bottles made from their mama's milk.
"I realize that at some point I will no longer be a breastfeeding mom and I am already so thankful for these precious memories that will last my lifetime as I watch my children grow. I will continue to patronize businesses that encourage breastfeeding moms and support companies that allow their employees a comfortable place to nurse and/or pump. It is also worth mentioning all the amazing spouses and families who support their wives, daughters, sisters and mothers as they breastfeed - I can't imagine having such great breastfeeding experiences without my husband's devotion and support.
"Breastfeeding isn't always easy, but it is second only to childbirth in its ability to amaze me. I recently saw a clever saying on someone's blog, and I am going to borrow it now as I think it is a perfect mantra for moms to keep in mind as they struggle with breastfeeding challenges or social pressure to wean and/or supplement before they are ready: 'I make milk, what's your superpower?'"
~ Michelle, mama to 10 week old Eve (and 2 1/2 year old Chloe)
