I have written about breastfeeding several times before, one of my favorite posts you can read about here. I cannot even begin to explain how breastfeeding has changed my life, but if I had to put it all in one sentence, I would say that "breastfeeding has made me a better woman."
"Why?" Some may ask. And don't take me wrong here, I don't have anything against moms who bottle-feed, nor do I consider myself superior to them in any way because I breastfeed. I believe every woman has the right to her own beliefs and practices, and has her own reasons for doing what she does.
As for me, I could not imagine my life as a mom if I had not breastfed our eldest, who nursed till he was 2 years and 4 months, and wasn't breastfeeding our youngest, who is now 1 year and 8 months. Before giving birth to Tim, I already knew that I wanted to breastfeed him. So even if I had to deal with clogged ducts, cracked nipples and mastitis, I stuck to my decision. Even if everyone around me was telling me to give him a bottle to make life easier. I stood my ground.
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| Nursing Tim right after he was born |
I believe that experience made me a better woman because I learned to be firm in my decision, one that was borne out of much prayer, discernment and research (I was in Timor Leste that time, so I had no access to breastfeeding classes, lactation counselors, etc. I only had the Internet to turn to and the pregnancy books that I had brought with me from Manila). Tim was a voracious feeder, and I found myself tired and depressed (post-partum syndrome perhaps?) many times during the first few weeks. I was blessed to have my parents' and hubby's support during that time, and Hubby would often feed me or give me fluids while I was feeding Tim. The experience made me realize how blessed I am, and how much my family mattered to me. It is really true that "it takes a village to raise a child" (an African proverb).
With Rysse, our second child, I thought things would be easier. But I was wrong. This time, Rysse had difficulty latching on because she was still sluggish after birth, possibly an effect of her sepsis and urinary tract infection. She could barely open her mouth to feed. Added to that, she had hyperbilirubinemia and needed phototherapy. I was so stressed and worried about her. It was funny, at that time I was the one who almost gave up on breastfeeding her. It was my mom who reminded me about why I was so pro-breastfeeding in the first place. Thank God she did! I learned to express my milk in a cup and feed Rysse with a dropper/syringe (the nurses in the National Hospital in Timor taught me how to do this, thank the Lord they are very pro-breastfeeding there!).
With Rysse, our second child, I thought things would be easier. But I was wrong. This time, Rysse had difficulty latching on because she was still sluggish after birth, possibly an effect of her sepsis and urinary tract infection. She could barely open her mouth to feed. Added to that, she had hyperbilirubinemia and needed phototherapy. I was so stressed and worried about her. It was funny, at that time I was the one who almost gave up on breastfeeding her. It was my mom who reminded me about why I was so pro-breastfeeding in the first place. Thank God she did! I learned to express my milk in a cup and feed Rysse with a dropper/syringe (the nurses in the National Hospital in Timor taught me how to do this, thank the Lord they are very pro-breastfeeding there!).
When Rysse was a bit older, I tried joining a contest to win a breast pump, in preparation for our returning home to the Philppines. I didn't win, but I was able to learn more about breastfeeding, and be inspired by the other moms who joined the contest. I even became a "channel" for my friends Michelle and Layle, who both won pumps from Babymama, the sponsor of the contests (there were two contests held on Babymama's Facebook page). Through all of these, I got to know other moms who are advocates of breastfeeding, babywearing, and even homeschooling, just like I am. It was great to be connected to other moms in this way! I am still nursing Rysse now, even if she is almost 2 years old, and I wouldn't exchange the experience for anything!
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| Nursing Rysse at the office ;-) |
Looking back now, I really am grateful that I have stuck to breastfeeding all these years. I am a staunch advocate of breastfeeding now, and even natural birth! (I gave birth totally naturally to both our kids). Through my breastfeeding experiences, I have learned to:
1. Be more patient - With Tim, there were times when I nursed him for hours on end (or maybe it just felt like it! LOL!). Breastfeeding teaches one to be patient, with yourself AND with your baby. It takes some time to "learn the ropes" and sometimes you have to deal with sore/cracked nipples, clogged ducts, etc etc. All of these make you more patient in the end.
2. Be more giving - Nursing your baby is literally a way to "give of yourself" - imagine! Your baby is nourished by milk that only you and you alone can produce! Also, breastfeeding makes the people around you be more giving as well - they give of their time and energy to support you, the nursing mom, and your little one as well!
3. Be more understanding - Breastfeeding can be challenging for many moms (and dads!). Nursing toddlers is even more challenging! (I can attest to this!) What is great about it though is that you learn to be more understanding and accepting of yourself - nursing in public especially makes you more understanding and tolerant of the the people who tend to stare at you when you're breastfeeding!
4. Be more prayerful - Whenever I encountered difficulties in nursing my kids, I would always turn to Mama Mary for help, guidance and intercession. Breastfeeding really helped me to be more prayerful, especially in all things mommy-related! Knowing that the Holy Mother herself breastfed the infant Jesus inspired me even more to nurse our kids.
Make sure you check out the posts of the other milk mamas/yummy mummies who participated in this month's carnival:
Breastfeeding Changed Me at Apples & Dumplings
9 comments:
haha... one other funny thing about breastfeeding and women is that, I doubt women have thought they could talk about breastfeeding for hours like we do about boys/men, clothes, kids, books or celebrity gossip
be more patient - true true true!! nursing for more than an hour?! there were time i just wanted to put a pacifier in and get away from it all. but then again, nursing is the time for me to pause, cuddle and spend time with naima!
Hi Mec and Jenny! :-) Thanks for thinking of this carnival! And for commenting! Hehe. Yes, we yummymilkymummies just can't get enough of breastfeeding huh? And what you said Jenny is SO TRUE! Nursing time for Rysse and I is precious bonding time, especially after a long day at work! :-) You know what else is funny? Now whenever I see moms with their babies I want to ask them "Are you breastfeeding?" or even preggy moms "Are you planning to breastfeed?" LOL! Even if they are complete strangers! hehe. Let me know when the next LATCH counselor training is ha! :-) Thanks!
Nice article. I have a premature baby and I decided to breastfed him exclusively till he is eight month old. And it was all worth it. He is turning two on April one and I am still breastfeeding, and no intentions of stopping.And it is very fulfilling knowing that you are giving the best for your child.
What a lovely post! I liked that you wrote about the things that breastfeeding taught you, like patience, generosity, understanding and faith. Now that I think about it, I also learned those beautiful things from breastfeeding =D
Thank you for your comments, Fei and Frances! :-) Feel free to link up anytime! :-) It's so nice to be "connected" to other nursing yummymummies! :-)
hi tina! i actually read your homeschool blog! i've been informally homeschooling raine, my eldest. as for breastfeeding, yes--patience is the number one thing i've learned :)
Oh Tina! I remember your entry to BabyMama's contest! How time flies! How wonderful that you soldiered on with Rysse, your mom is a blessing =)
Ree: Wow, you read my homeschool blog?! That's great! How old is Raine? We are planning a Catholic Homeschoolers Summit, the first of its kind, here in the Philippines. :-) If you are interested to join, let me know ha.
Christine: :-) You remember? hehe. Thanks! My mom is really a blessing, but you know who has been my No.1 breastfeeding supporter? My hubby! hehe :-) I love your blog by the way! :-) You're based in SG now right? :-) I miss SG!
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