Breastfeeding: Troubleshooting 101 breastfeeding

In conjuction with world's breastfeeding week, I thought of sharing about my breastfeeding journey with baby T. My aim was to exclusively breastfeed my baby. I thought it would be totally natural but in reality, breastfeeding is definitely a tough job yet highly rewarding especially in sense of emotional fulfillment. There is so much to explore, learn and experience along the way. From latching difficulties,finding a suitable breastfeeding position,milk supply,pumping schedules,nipple sores,engorgement,growth spurts, sleep deprivation and what not! And on the brighter side, the beautiful moments, baby T's face lits up after each feed and he flashes his beautiful smile which fills my heart with contentment and happiness. The smile expressing so much pleasure and joy, eventually became my daily dose of motivation to keep breastfeeding (Amma's milk is oh- so yummy maybe! Delivering happiness in every drop!) and feeding sessions was the only personal time I got to bond with my new little human. I am a low-to-enough supply mum, I couldn't match the milk demands of my milk monster. I've tried all possibilities; medications, power pumping and every milkbooster that pops up at the support group posts but to no avail. I gave up my goal to fully breastfeed at a point where i could no longer take in the pressure. I felt like a lousy mum for failing to exclusively breastfeed my baby, I envied mums who posts pictures of few bottles of milk with one pumping session when I merely got half a bottle(wished I could do better for my son).I vividly remember the pride I felt when I had my first full bottle,I was in cloud nine and times I had milk spraying almost gagging baby T and with each engorgement, my heart swell with happiness (an obvious indication I'm producing milk). As mothers, we definitely want and strive for the best for our child but in circumstances that you can't fully breastfeed even after trying hard and giving your all, it's OKAY! I recall how guilty I felt each time I fed T with formula milk.It made me feel like a failure. I'm aware breast milk is the best for the baby but being fed sufficiently is the utmost priority and believe me only after I let go of the pressure of fully breastfeeding, I began to enjoy my breastfeeding moments even more and I am still breastfeeding my almost 13 months old son, breastfed on some days, mixed fed on others. I realized the pressure to fully breastfeed and stress related to it only made things worse for me, in fact stress could be a potential milk killer. To all mummies sailing in the same boat, be grateful your child is receiving the goodness of the liquid gold no matter the quantity, be content you are fortunate to produce milk and provide to your child. Our goal is to raise healthy babies not stacked up milk bags in our freezers. To mothers blessed with abundance, keep inspiring us all and perhaps donate the excess blessings to a needy child. To the mother unable to breastfeed, please remember: INABILITY TO BREASTFEED DOESNT MAKE YOU ANY LESS OF A MOTHER and you don't owe an explanation to anyone; formula milk isn't poison. To all women, lets be more supportive ,encouraging,kinder and never shame or put down each other. Dear pregnant mummies, do attend antenatal classes, acquire sufficient knowledge on the art of breastfeeding and be well-prepared mentally and emotionally. The struggle is real but totally worth it. Motherhood is an unique experience to each of us, lets embrace every moment, every overwhelmings and celebrate our own journey. I would like to take this opportunity to specially thank my dear friend, SSS for all the valuable informations, encouragement and her generosity in offering her precious milk for baby T; my lactation consultant, the breastfeeding support groups and my supportive husband,mother and mother-in-law. Thank you for easing my journey and making it more beautiful. To all the supermommas, you are the best! ROCK ON!

Psst! Stay tuned for more breastfeeding related posts.