I love breastfeeding.

[Beauchamp]

I had a really great morning with DD today. She woke up around 6:30, DH unwrapped her from her Miracle Blanket, but kept her in her pack n play. She kicked and stretched while he was getting ready for work. I was awake, just listening to her play. At 7:00, she was still playing and kicking, but I missed her so much. She gave me a smile when she saw me. I picked her up and brought her into my bed. We cuddled and she nursed. It was just so awesome. :

DD is 12 weeks old today, and breastfeeding is going so well. It feels so good to feed her. I still leak quite often and wear breast pads constantly, and sometimes it's hard to position her with my bad back, but overall it's so awesome. I can't imagine NOT breastfeeding her.

I have bottles, a breastpump, and storage bags all ready to go and I rarely use them-- partially because it's a pain, but also because it's just so much easier to sit down with her and BF. Plus, it's cuddle time and is just a great feeling to watch my baby swallow and get her milk from me. I love it! :

I guess there is no real point to this post, except to say that Bfing DOES get better after those first few weeks when it can be SO HARD. I hope all you other BFing mamas are loving it, too.

[kayleesmom]

what a awesome feeling:

[femalephish]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

I guess there is no real point to this post, except to say that Bfing DOES get better after those first few weeks when it can be SO HARD. I hope all you other BFing mamas are loving it, too.

Amen, Sister! I almost quit and now I love it, too!:

[Madalyn]

:

I was just thinking today how much I love it too. Lol maybe weird but I think my son is adorable when he lunges or roots to latch on. I love our lazy mornings laying in the bed nursing and dozing off and on.

[sunshynbaby]

Thanks I needed to see this post. I'm in such pain 4 weeks into this that I'm almost ready to give up. It was getting better... I don't know what happened. I think our latch is okay, and it doesn't seem like LO has thrush. LO does yank quite a bit. I've been topless for days and taking both tylenol and ibuprofen for the pain. The worst feeling is avoiding picking up LO because he might accidentally hit my sore nips. I feel terrible. It is good to be reminded that it gets better. I'm hoping it does for me soon.

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

Thanks I needed to see this post. I'm in such pain 4 weeks into this that I'm almost ready to give up. It was getting better... I don't know what happened. I think our latch is okay, and it doesn't seem like LO has thrush. LO does yank quite a bit. I've been topless for days and taking both tylenol and ibuprofen for the pain. The worst feeling is avoiding picking up LO because he might accidentally hit my sore nips. I feel terrible. It is good to be reminded that it gets better. I'm hoping it does for me soon.

Take heart. It really DOES get better. I remember being SO MAD because my nipples were SUPER sensitive. I'd even get mad if I'D accidentally brush them with my arm, let alone DH coming anywhere NEAR me. There were times I did some slow yoga breathing to keep from crying, and times when I really did cry as I was BFing her.

I think it's important to expect it to be hard in the beginning. When things were tough, I'd actually say (out loud) to DD that I was going to focus 100% on her right now, that we are going to figure this out together. Sometimes I'd find myself chanting those phrases like a crazy person. But I made it through the tough stuff and YOU WILL TOO. Now at 3 months, I am SO PROUD of myself for EBF my daughter and there are MANY, MANY days where it brings me SO much joy. : Yes, there are still challenges and days when I am achy, but overall, it's so good.

I just wanted to come back and post something HAPPY and GOOD for a change. I usually come here for support and advice because I need it, and because I feel like I am not doing things right. It's SO important to trust yourself. It can be easy to over think things sometimes. It can be so easy to worry and think you have a zillion little issues...thrush, allergies, food/diet problems, reflux, etc. And certainly, people DO have those problems. But a lot of the time, I think it's just hard work that takes time, patience and relaxing, knowing it may be a bit bumpy at first, but that you and your baby will find your own personal groove.

I'll say to you what countless mamas said to me--- Hang in there, mama. And keep coming here and posting when you feel down. Don't give up. You're doing great!

[Samanthavv]

I know this might sound weird, but what really helped me in the earlybreastfeeding of my son, was that I pumped after he ate, every time except night time, for ten minutes solid. It really seemed to help. my supply was abundant, and he didn't get frustrated or mean because of not having enough to gorge himself.

[justKate]

I was just thinking that we need a "what I love about nursing" thread.

I LOVE:
DD's milk-drunk face before she falls asleep
The way she quiets when she realizes the breast is on it's way
When she sucks on my shoulder/face/etc. in excited anticipation

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

Thanks I needed to see this post. I'm in such pain 4 weeks into this that I'm almost ready to give up. It was getting better... I don't know what happened. I think our latch is okay, and it doesn't seem like LO has thrush. LO does yank quite a bit. I've been topless for days and taking both tylenol and ibuprofen for the pain. The worst feeling is avoiding picking up LO because he might accidentally hit my sore nips. I feel terrible. It is good to be reminded that it gets better. I'm hoping it does for me soon.

Not to hijack the thread, but maybe f/u on thrush if it doesn't get better shortly. I had it--severe pain--and DD had no symptoms. You can do a few vinegar rinses and if it helps.... Just a thought.

[newtomotherhood]

I love the little ooohhhh sound DD makes after a good munch!
and how I know that I am giving her the best start possible!
and not having to warm a bottle in the middle of the night!

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by justKate

When she sucks on my shoulder/face/etc. in excited anticipation

This. :

And the little rooting sounds, tiny grunts. Sometimes when she latches on, for the first few swallows, she makes little mmm mmm sounds, like she's saying, "ah, finally!"

ETA: and the tiny hand that feels around on my chest, and finally settles into a comfy spot, holding on, to make sure that mama stays while she sleeps.

[winter singer]

And the little rooting sounds, tiny grunts. Sometimes when she latches on, for the first few swallows, she makes little mmm mmm sounds, like she's saying, "ah, finally!"

ETA: and the tiny hand that feels around on my chest, and finally settles into a comfy spot, holding on, to make sure that mama stays while she sleeps.

Awwww.

My DD, who is almost a year old, has developed the most hilarious comic routine in the past few months when she's in a good mood and feels like having a nurse. She'll sidle over to me and make all sorts of silly, cute exclamations before she latches on. I swear she's deliberately being goofy. It's impossible to keep a straight face.

[KarlaC]

Originally Posted by Beauchamp

This. :

And the little rooting sounds, tiny grunts. Sometimes when she latches on, for the first few swallows, she makes little mmm mmm sounds, like she's saying, "ah, finally!"

ETA: and the tiny hand that feels around on my chest, and finally settles into a comfy spot, holding on, to make sure that mama stays while she sleeps.

: