I had never thought of breastfeeding, not until I was pregnant with my first baby. Since, I was a kid I never knew anyone that had succeed on breastfeeding their baby. I remember my aunt trying to breastfeed her twin boys but it looked so strange and nearly impossible. 

When I was pregnant for the very first time, I really wanted to learn more and more about breastfeeding and the benefits that breast milk has on my baby. I used to watch a lot of videos on YouTube. Read a lot of blogs of other mothers that breastfed their children, but also, my doctor and the hospital that she is affiliated with strongly support breastfeeding. That helped a lot! I exclusively breastfed my daughter until she was 21 months (and that’s because I found out I was pregnant with my second baby). Now, I’m currently exclusively breastfeeding my son who is 17 months.

Breastfeeding has its ups and downs. As many people say, breastfeeding is a full time job, with no days off. It is definitely a very unique journey and the bond that a mother builds with her children is so beautiful and magical. Many times, I felt judged, or people that had no idea of how breastfeeding works, trying to give me advice. It was definitely overwhelming. Especially in the beginning, when I did not know what I was really doing. It was just me and that little baby, and I felt that everyone else, was against us. I was there, trying to get to know my baby, understand her needs, bond with her, and all I could hear was, that I was very selfish wanting to hold my baby all the time and not letting anyone else hold her. That I was overprotective, and that I held my baby way too much and I would spoil her. I have to say, that these statements hurt a lot at the moment. I was getting very upset, and angry. But when my milk came in, and my baby was growing and she was healthy, I knew I was doing the right thing. That is when I realized, that whatever anyone says, a mother knows best! You are the perfect mom for your child. Every mother is different and every child is different! Do not feel you have to go by the book. Trust your feelings, trust yourself. Be the mother that your child needs you to be. Be you.

Love,

Mamastina