I Breastfed My Kids. Where's My Mother of the Year Award?
Submitted by jessicamcfad
I don't run marathons. I'll never climb Everest. I can barely make it through a two-hour movie.
But I breastfed my kids each for one year, without any help from bottles or formula, and I want a FREAKING MEDAL!
Now, I think bottles and formula are awesome! And I'm so impressed by the dedication of women who pump. Hey, however any parent keeps her baby fed and happy is great by me!
Breastfeeding just worked for us—my babies latched easily, I liked the bonding and knew it was good for my health and weight loss too. And I took long maternity leaves and then worked from home, so I could continue dairy duty longer than some other moms. (I know, lucky ducky me.)
But I was also the only one who fed the kids milk, had to hunt for places to breastfeed in public, experienced engorged breasts, sore nipples, put the kids to sleep and got up with them in the night for ONE YEAR.
So from my husband and pediatrician, a little applause here would be nice. Why don't the doctors give you an award when you bring your baby in for the one year well appointment if you made it 12 months on the milk truck? OK, I don't really need an award. But I wouldn't turn down a special "perfect (boob) attendance" certificate, or even a sucker or sticker like they give the kids.
Well, I might not have received a trophy or a fancy present, but here's my prize: Now when the kids cry out in the night with a bad dream, I'm turning right over onto my worn-out post-breastfeeding boobs and letting my husband handle it!
Got a parenting confession or a point-of-view of your own? We'd LOVE to hear it! Tell us now!
But I breastfed my kids each for one year, without any help from bottles or formula, and I want a FREAKING MEDAL!
Now, I think bottles and formula are awesome! And I'm so impressed by the dedication of women who pump. Hey, however any parent keeps her baby fed and happy is great by me!
Breastfeeding just worked for us—my babies latched easily, I liked the bonding and knew it was good for my health and weight loss too. And I took long maternity leaves and then worked from home, so I could continue dairy duty longer than some other moms. (I know, lucky ducky me.)
But I was also the only one who fed the kids milk, had to hunt for places to breastfeed in public, experienced engorged breasts, sore nipples, put the kids to sleep and got up with them in the night for ONE YEAR.
So from my husband and pediatrician, a little applause here would be nice. Why don't the doctors give you an award when you bring your baby in for the one year well appointment if you made it 12 months on the milk truck? OK, I don't really need an award. But I wouldn't turn down a special "perfect (boob) attendance" certificate, or even a sucker or sticker like they give the kids.
Well, I might not have received a trophy or a fancy present, but here's my prize: Now when the kids cry out in the night with a bad dream, I'm turning right over onto my worn-out post-breastfeeding boobs and letting my husband handle it!
Got a parenting confession or a point-of-view of your own? We'd LOVE to hear it! Tell us now!
Submit!
