Made it a year! (With plenty of extra challenges)

SushiNoMore · January 2012

I've always read that lots of women enjoy these posts, so here's mine: We made it a year of breastfeeding without supplementing! Today is my son's first birthday.

I'm extra proud because he was born 14 weeks early and spent 70 days in the NICU. He was fed with IVs, then a feeding tube, then bottles, and I was finally able to exclusively breastfeed him a few weeks after he came home. It was quite a process to teach him how to nurse involving a special needs feeder and a nipple shield, but we did it!

I only was able to nurse exclusively for a few weeks before I had to go back to work and start pumping again. I pumped 4x / day for about 8 months before dropping one pumping session in the last couple of weeks.

I'd like to nurse morning and night for awhile longer, and, quite frankly, pumping has become such a part of my routine that I don't even mind doing that. I'd like to make it through flu season giving him at least some breastmilk, and it'd be great to make it until his due date - 4/30.

So, for those of you thinking of giving up: hang in there! It's so worth it, and, now that we're getting nearer to the end, I'm actually much sadder than I thought I'd be. It's been a great experience, and I'm so glad we were able to make it work.

jlsimon56 · January 2012

WOW that is awesome!

Mrs.Felicity · January 2012

Party!!! Yes

That is awesome!!! We are just over a year (with lots of challenges in there!), and I don't want to give it up at all. I'm like you, the pumping isn't even an issue for me I'm so used to it.

Way to go, mama! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your little boy!!

jcsumm0 · January 2012

That is so awesome!! What a fantastic gift you've given him!

Happy Birthday baby Sushi!

Fisherman'sWife · January 2012

Way to go! Its good to hear that pumping at work just becomes part of your routine. Sometimes it can be tough.

bugandbibs · January 2012

Way to go! Awesome job!

ProcrastinatingBride · January 2012

I am so hoping to make it to a year! Congratulations to you! And happy birthday, LO!

pitterpatter129 · January 2012

Yay!!! You are a stronger woman with that pumping than I am! I quit pumping quickly! It's so exciting to make the 1 year mark!! Happy birthday to your LO too! Party!!!