Before I had DD I didnt even think of how I was going to feed her- i my mind BF was the only option although I just thought women only BF'd till their LO's were 12 months old. Now almost 16 months on DD is still on the boob and I cant imagine stopping anytime soon.
Before DD1 - I wanted to BF and my goal was only getting until 6 months, I thought it would be super easy...
After - I realised how hard it was! But the stubborn me kept me going, then I really started to love the bond and the closeness I felt with me DD, she self weaned at 9 months and I cried!
DD2 - is 10 months and still going! and this time i' want her to self wean as well...
I also now feel (after children) that is isn't easy all the time, it isn't for everyone... But it's the best thing for me - which what matters :P
B4 children, i thought there was a definite choice between b/f and bottle feeding...i thought you either wanted to breastfeed, or you didnt.....never, ever did i even contemplate that women whom want to b/f but couldnt , was even a possibility.
Now i know....some women just dont have a choice.....
I never thought it wouldn't work for me. I did the classes, read the good books and thought it would all work. However low supply that just wouldn't move meant that BFing wasn't going to happen.
However what I have learnt is regardless of how you feed your baby, the mother / baby bond is very strong.
I'm ashamed to admit that I remember seeing a very close friend feeding her 14 month old who was pulling off to have a look around (as they do) and thinking it was too old and I felt uncomfortable. Since having kids I think it's beautiful and make sure I give breastfeeding mum's a big grin. Feeding my boys hasn't been without it's challenges I'm so happy I've bf the boys.
I'd say for me my views on bf have become so much more positive. I think Belly Belly has played a huge role in that.
Being so young and unprepared for a baby I spent most of my pregnancy (well the 20 weeks I knew about anyway ) trying to get my head around the whole situation. How I was going to nourish him was the last thing on my mind. Both my mum and MIL were very pro BF so it was pretty much expected of me to breastfeed. I always thought oh yeah I'll give it a go but I don't think I'll be too fussed if it doesn't work out. I remember saying to DH 'when there are teeth it's over.' Towards the end of my pregnancy I started reading a few books about breastfeeding including one called the Immunobiology of Human Milk and it made me realise how important and beneficial it was to my baby's health. DS took to breastfeeding like a champ and I never looked back. I put this down to a relativity drama free birth, my age, positive thinking and lots of support from my family, doula and particularly DH. I'm glad that he respects my wishes and encourages me to feed DS for as long as he needs. I was lucky that breastfeeding was never hard for me, I know it is for so many women and I take my hat off to those who persevere and continue.
I have successfully fed DS for 1 year now (with 7 teeth ), he hasn't had one drop of formula and that makes me really proud. Especially that I've gone from someone who was completely indifferent about babies and breastfeeding to a passionate lactivist who is a member of the ABA and often has her nose in some sort of baby related book. Who'd have thought.
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) trying to get my head around the whole situation. How I was going to nourish him was the last thing on my mind. Both my mum and MIL were very pro BF so it was pretty much expected of me to breastfeed. I always thought oh yeah I'll give it a go but I don't think I'll be too fussed if it doesn't work out. I remember saying to DH 'when there are teeth it's over.' Towards the end of my pregnancy I started reading a few books about breastfeeding including one called the Immunobiology of Human Milk and it made me realise how important and beneficial it was to my baby's health. DS took to breastfeeding like a champ and I never looked back. I put this down to a relativity drama free birth, my age, positive thinking and lots of support from my family, doula and particularly DH. I'm glad that he respects my wishes and encourages me to feed DS for as long as he needs. I was lucky that breastfeeding was never hard for me, I know it is for so many women and I take my hat off to those who persevere and continue.
), he hasn't had one drop of formula and that makes me really proud. Especially that I've gone from someone who was completely indifferent about babies and breastfeeding to a passionate lactivist who is a member of the ABA and often has her nose in some sort of baby related book. Who'd have thought.
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