Seven Lessons
This post is on the seven lessons I've learned about breastfeeding and lactation in the seven years I've been breastfeeding
In honor of International IBCLC Day falling on my oldest child's birthday, I felt the need to commemorate it by sharing some things I've learned since day one of my breastfeeding experience.
Olivia turns seven years old today. That means I've been breastfeeding almost continuously for seven years. And in that time, I've learned a lot; about myself and my body, about my children, about my relationships with them, and about humanity and our desires to care for our children above all else.
Olivia is literally the reason I do the work I do. She's the reason my daily thoughts are consumed with human lactation and how best to support families to meet their feeding goals. We struggled to make breastfeeding work for us. We didn't have expert guidance. But we had each other and we're both pretty stubborn so we stuck with it, for twenty-six months and I am so grateful for that time with her.
Here are seven lessons I've learned along this seven year journey.
1. There is nothing quite so hard as breastfeeding for the first time. There's a learning curve for you and for your body. Like I've said for so long, breastfeeding is easy like walking is easy. It takes a lot of coordination and practice to feel comfortable.
2. Cosleeping in the form of bedsharing is the only way I have been able to get sleep and feed my babies. Learning to get comfortable in the side-lying position was life changing.
3. I have a love-hate relationship with the pump. It has kept me lactating even while returning to work, and while having the proper fitting flanges and the right settings is key, it's still not my baby. That's always been hard for me.
4. Not all tongue-ties show in the same way. Some present with low milk supply, some with pinched nipples, some with extreme pain. Some present with thumb sucking, some with slow weight gain, some with open-mouthed breathing. All need treated by qualified professionals and deserve whole body care.
5. Every child is unique. They eat differently. They sleep differently. They gain weight differently. The struggles are different. Bask in the beauty of their uniqueness. You are the perfect parent for this unique child.
6. Breastfeeding is my preferred way of parenting. For my children it's not just nutrition but comfort and calm. I am not being "used." I am creating a safe space for my babies to land whenever they need me, for as long as they need me.
7. It's a journey. Beginning with a goal in mind, having an involved partner or support person, having a base knowledge education, knowing how to find an expert guide, and having a supportive community can make a huge difference in the journey.
If you or someone you know is struggling on their breastfeeding journey, please reach out. While I have seven years of personal breastfeeding experience, I also have years of clinical professional experience and pride myself on offering non-judgmental evidence-based lactation support.
Happy International IBCLC Day! And Happy Birthday Olivia!