Breast-feeding

Funny how one of the most natural things is one of the most publicly frowned upon: breast feeding. I mean, I get it, a part of the female body that sexually should be kept private is suddenly whipped out at the first whimper of a baby. And I have to admit that even as a nursing mom, I can feel a bit uncomfortable when I see a mother shamelessly nursing in public without any attempt of exposure prevention. But regardless, I love(d) nursing my girls.

With Lyla, I felt more shy and embarrassed by it, since it always seemed to be feeding time when my college-sophomore friends were visiting. On top of that, I felt extremely restricted by it, since I couldn't go anywhere without the baby for more than a couple of hours before she needed to be fed again, and anything more than a glass of red wine was a no-no. But day by day I grew more comfortable with nursing, and learned to love the bonding it allowed me to have with my baby girl.

With Hannah, I knew what to expect, and was much more at ease and comfortable with round two. I'm not quite the public-boob-whipper-outter, because I use a shawl anytime we're out or have company, but I'm enjoying the experience much more this time around. I love knowing that I am giving my daughter the best healthy start to life. Everything I eat, she eats, and therefore I am taking the best care of myself, too. It's an indescribable feeling to know that my body is making the food that is helping her grow in leaps and bounds. I can comfort her both by holding and feeding her at the same time, skin to skin, her eyes locked on mine. It's something no one else can give her, and with her refusing to take expressed milk from a bottle, it can be difficult at times always being the one who needs to stop and feed her every few hours, but it's a difficulty that is rewarding. It's also an excuse to sit down, put my feet up, and relax for a half hour. There's never any prep; no bottles to wash, no heating to be done, no worry of packing enough for an outting...it's amazing.

It's also a crazy feeling to know that I'm using my body the way it was intended to be used. I've created, carried, and birthed 2 beautiful girls, and continued to use my body to feed them, nourish them, and comfort them. Knowing that I only plan to nurse Hannah for a year, and because I know how fast that will go by, I'm appreciative of this bonding time I have with her. I was relieved when Lyla weaned herself at 12 months, but with our plan to have no more children, I feel I'll actually be sad when Hannah has moved onto cow's milk.

I'm a breast feeding mom, and proud of it.