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November 2012 Moms
Breastfeeding is like Boot Camp...
I was replying to a post in the BF'ing board and just thought I'd share my thoughts and say how proud I am of myself and others who made a commitment to BFing.
Before I went to Boot Camp (I'm in the National Guard) I was given so much advice and participated in some training to "prepare" for what I would experience in military basic training. I went in thinking everything will be okay and I'm ready for this. Then I got there and I thought, "What the heck did I do and how the heck do I get out of here?" After day 2 I realized that the advice and training were helpful but in order to survive this place I have to dedicate and commit... and take the pain of everything one day at a time. By the end of the 8th week, I graduated and it was one of my proudest moments to date.
You get pregnant. You decide I'm going to BF. You read, take classes, people give you advice, make comments about your decision, etc. You think this is going to be great! I'm prepared to do this! Then it happens and you think, "THIS CRAP IS HARD, PAINFUL, TIME CONSUMING.... (the list goes on)!!!" You put your head down and muster through one day at a time. Fast foward to week X (11 weeks for me) and I feel extremely proud to have made it through the tough part, and very happy I did not give up when it was tough. Sooo pat yourselve on the back BFing ladies!!! I think you deserve it!
***This post is not meant in any way shape or form to slam FFing ladies... I understand that all parents make decisions that work best for them. And to me that is a commendable thing as well***
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Breastfeeding is like Boot Camp...
You should be proud! 3 years is amazing! After day 2 of nursing, I said I was done. Thank goodness for my husband to keep encouraging me. I set small goals until K is one month, until I go back to work, until K is 6 months and I'm proud for what I have done. It is a huge commitment and everyone should be proud even if they tried for a day.
That being said, I wish our families would see it the same way. When my BILs gf was pregnant the same time I was, I was very strict about my diet and activities because of my loss history. They would always say "but C ate it" "or "C is doing that". She tried BF but said her supply didn't come in well so she only did it for two weeks. So now I'm getting "C is giving J rice/food, why aren't you giving it to K?". Umm first off J is 6 months old, second, the doctor had already said "he's a large baby". Secondly, mind your own business.
Sorry, got carried away there. My point is, GOOD JOB LADIES!
TTC #2 BFP 12/6/11 chemical pregnancy natural mc 12/18/11
TTC #3 BFP 3/19/12. 4/9: HR of 134! **Bake Turkey, Bake!**
**All ALs Welcome**
So true! Breast feeding was Soo hard for me at first. CJ was a preemie and had jaundice he didn't latch well and even when he did he would fall asleep after only a minute or 2 of nursing. We had to supplement with formula and pumped milk after every feeding. I worried and cried and for awhile was scared I would not be Able to bf. Then one day as CJ grew and got stronger I found that I didn't have to supplement as much and by 3 weeks out I didn't need to supplement at all. No one told me that we would be up every 2 hours, but for the first 4 weeks it would also take an hour to do a feeding. I had no idea it was so much work. But now I'm so glad I stuck it out. I love bfing now and wouldn't have it any other way.