But our feeding journey didnt go according to plan.
All aspirations for an Instaworthy breastfeeding portrait were dashed.
Our doula helped me collect colostruma milky fluid produced right after childbirthto send to the NICU.
But instead of experiencing relief, I worried that the tiny syringes we filled werent enough.
I was also concerned the nurses would give our daughter formula to compensate for any shortage.
I thought, somehow, this meant I wasnt enough.
…
Thanks to several meetings with lactation consultants, we eventually got the hang of breastfeeding.
What I didnt anticipate, however, was blowing through said stash when she started daycare months later.
On a fateful Tuesday afternoon, I completed three 30-minute pumping sessions and only produced four ounces of milk.
(I was wrong.)
I can set an alarm to pump every two hours overnight, I told my husband.
I can power pump the next day and launch the additional bottles to the school.
Stop, he said lovingly.
I protested, but he had a point.
Wed already discussed how we would approach this situation.
…
I told myself that I would use their formula if it came to it.
But the time arrived sooner than Id hoped.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Am I producing enough?
I was beginning to measure my self-worth in ounces.
I couldnt even bring myself to look at the can.
Breastfeeding is only free because people dont acknowledge the time and money it requires.
Breastfeeding is only free because people dont acknowledge the time and money it requires.
I enjoy breastfeeding our daughter, and Im already sad, knowing the journey will someday end.
Its not, and I dont need that kind of shame in my life.
Theres no one-size-fits-all solution, especially now when making sure our babies are nourished is more complicated than ever.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
