When I found out I was pregnant for the first time I was 28. I had this ideal of breastfeeding my daughter. I knew I wanted to breastfeed, but I never had some misconception of doing it for a very long period of time. I mean if you have breastfed your child past a year, I give you the greatest respect and support, but I could never do it.
Breastfeeding is hard.
Often times babies do not latch easily, my daughter was this way, it was a struggle. Your nipples get chapped, it’s painful at first and it is demanding. Having to stop every couple hour to feed your baby is demanding.
I also hated the breast pump. I HATED sitting and trying to pump because it was discouraging. Pumping rarely gives you as much milk as if you were feeding your baby directly. This means often times I’d have to pump two times to get one bottle for my daughter. I almost preferred never being away from her so I did not have to pump.
Then the fact I could never give myself a break made things worse.
I lasted between three to four months.
My son was a little easier. He was easy to latch. I was a bit taken aback when I was in the hospital and trying for the first time to breastfeed him and he latched like a little piranha right away. I still hated pumping and it was still demanding.
I lasted the same, about three to four months.
I was not really upset with myself when it came to weaning my babies. I know that as long as they are fed, they will be fine. However, there are still so many misconceptions around breastfeeding and it can be a real mental struggle when you are unable to do it.
I wanted to share these wonderful affirmations to remember when you are weaning your baby or unable to breastfeed.
- Only I can give my children a happy mother.
- I am doing an amazing job.
- I can trust my maternal intuition.
- I am learning to be a better mother with each new day.
- I will take care of myself in order to be a good mother.
- I am exactly what my child needs.
- I am giving my children the best possible future.
- I deserve the praise I receive as a mother.
- My children do not care about my flaws.
- I am capable of amazing things if I believe it to be true and act.
- In the eyes, mind and heart of my child, I am a good mom.
- I am a good mom, even as I work to become a better one.
- I will do my best as a mom, and that will always be enough.
- I am what my child needs. Worrying about what others think only distracts me from being the parent I need to be.
- A successful relationship with my child is not defined by what we have but by the time we spent together.
Doing the best you can is enough!
You are what your child needs. It does not matter if you’re breastfeeding them it matters that you are loving, caring, and taking care of their needs. They see how amazing you are. You need to remember it to.
Sarah
