Breastfeeding: One of my biggest TRIUMPHS in motherhood!

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Breastfeeding Triumphs Miami Moms Blog

Like all things related to babies and becoming a mother, breastfeeding is one of those STRONG, DEEPLY ROOTED topics that all women have something to say about.  I’m so nervous to write about this because I know what a tough topic of conversation it truly is.  In this post, I want to become your biggest cheerleader when it comes to breastfeeding! 

Now, I’m not naive.  I know breastfeeding is not for all mamas.  And let me tell you something:  THAT IS OK!  It makes you no less of a mama or a woman for that matter.  You carried a beautiful baby in your womb for nine months, nurturing him or her, and now you’re raising that baby to be all that God has called it to be!  Being a mom is hard work! 

It’s a title I’ll never take lightly and a job I feel like I constantly fall short of. 

With that said, this is my “Breastfeeding: One of my biggest TRIUMPHS in motherhood” story. 

When I first found out that I was pregnant, I knew immediately that I would breastfeed.  In my mind, there was no other option.  I’ve always been a holistic, essential oil using, organic eating, all natural ways of living  kind of woman and I knew that I would do whatever it took to provide milk for my baby. 

This may sound a little bit crazy, but the very first thing I did (and continued to do) was to literally pray over my body and command it to do what God created it to do:

PRODUCE MILK FOR MY BABY GIRL! 

The prayers worked and I was able to breastfeed my little girl for 18 months.  The goal I set for myself was one year, but when I saw how beneficial it was for her and how it helped us both, I continued for a little while longer. 

Breastfeeding not only helped my daughter but helped me too. I was constantly aware of EVERYTHING I ate because I knew that whatever I ate, she would be eating too.  I refused to put junk in my body for her sake.  Thankfully, that has continued even since our breastfeeding days ended. 

Can we pause for just a moment and THANK GOD for Google and Pinterest?!  What in the world did mamas do without Google and Pinterest back in the day when they had a question or needed to look up foods to eat or recipes to make in order to boost their milk supply?!  Oh my word, I’m so thankful! 

Pinterest has a TON of wonderful recipes for boosting your milk supply.  I always had a batch of lactation cookies in my freezer and whenever I felt like I needed a boost, I would eat one.  Within an hour, the tatas had doubled in size and my baby had a full belly!  Our bodies are truly amazing, don’t you think?!

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Breastfeeding Roadblocks

Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend like breastfeeding was full of joy and sunshine 100% of the time.  I had some stormy days, Honey.

For the first month of Gaby’s life I cried EVERY SINGLE TIME she wanted to eat because it HURT SO BAD.  Let me tell you, this chick wanted to eat every hour on the hour.  My nipples were bruised, cracked, and bled constantly.  Every time she latched on, I winced in agony.  When I got mastitis in my left breast I literally thought, “There’s no way I’m going to be able to do this.  It’s too hard.  I’m in constant pain and now my breast has an infection.   The pain I’m going through is too much to handle.  I’m failing as a mother and my baby’s not even one month old.” 

I had countless conversations with myself about quitting.  However, every time that thought entered my head another thought sounded just a little bit louder, and encouraged me to keep trying, keep going, and not give up. 

YOU CAN DO THIS!

So, that’s what I did.  I looked at my precious baby girl and knew that she was worth all the pain and sleepless nights. For her sake, I kept going.  I wouldn’t let myself give up. 

No matter how isolated and lonely I felt…

Regardless of how tired I was…

No matter how hard it seemed at the time…

I continued. 

Please know my heart and understand I’m not telling you this to toot my own horn.  Trust me when I say, I’m my own worst enemy.   My hope is that this post will encourage, empower, and uplift you, mama!  Maybe you need a hug and to hear someone say, “You’re doing a GREAT job!  Don’t give up!  You can do anything you put your mind to!”  Maybe it’s not even about breastfeeding for you, it’s just about life in general?  I’m right there with you!  Whether your breastfeeding journey lasted a day, a week, a month, or a year, hold your head up high, walk a little taller, and be proud of yourself for trying! 

You did so good! 

Maybe your days of breastfeeding are over like mine and you’ve moved on to a new season in the life of your child (or children) and in just being a mom.  (I never realized how the title “Mom” constantly changes until now).  Like many moments in this motherhood journey, when it seems like I’ve failed completely, I can look back at my breastfeeding journey and feel one of my greatest TRIUMPHS! 

It was a sacrifice I’ll never regret. 

Breastfeeding built a bond between me and my daughter that I’m eternally grateful for. I’m so thankful it’s one of the few things I refused to give up on.  If you’re struggling with breastfeeding or with anything for that matter, please know that I’m here for you!  Yes, we’re most likely complete and total strangers that haven’t met yet, but we’re all Moms! We have the same struggles, worries, and desires.  Let’s build each other up!

I’ll be your biggest cheerleader. 

I’ve got my pom-poms ready to cheer you to your finish line!

Breastfeeding Triumphs Miami Moms Blog

 

Miami Moms Blog is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2018 #WBW2018.

We celebrate ALL Moms and however you choose to feed your baby is outstanding.