I have a good friend who refers to herself (when talking to me), "I am the most militant breastfeeding friend you have." She is so passionate about women breastfeeding. We were talking about another friend yesterday who has/had NO breastfeeding "issues" and just stopped bf'ing because she wanted to go on a crash diet and lose tons of weight really fast.
We also discussed another friend with a new tiny baby who is having no trouble breastfeeding, but isn't opposed to leaving her baby with a bottle of formula to go to the gym or go on a date with her husband. My "militant friend" just started crying and saying that she is jeopardizing her supply because the more bottles she gives, the less her body will produce and right now since the baby is so tiny he should be stimulating her often so she'll be able to keep up with his growth spurts, etc.
When we were talking about our friend on the crash diet, she started crying as well. She said her heart breaks for these babies that deserve to be breastfed.
While, she was here for 5-6 hours yesterday and I had to feed Jacob a few tmes while she was here. She knows about our tongue tie issues and all the work I put into breastfeeding (SNS, pumping, etc.) Since she's such a good friend, she's also seen the stress it is causing. She said she can see the stress in my face (and also Jacob's face) every time we feed.
Well, she had brought me flowers (a nice bunch from Whole Foods) and yesterday she gave me a card and it was so compassionate!!!
The card said that she knew I had done everything I possibly could and if I chose to give up now I should feel no guilt...none. She said the most important thing is a loved, happy, baby. She wrote that formula has it's place and I should feel no guilt in using it in our situation.
She felt like I had done all I could and she said I was more open to trying and working through problems than most people and she was impressed with my openness and willingness to try things most people wouldn't have.
I felt like it was true lactivism combined with true compassion.
We also discussed another friend with a new tiny baby who is having no trouble breastfeeding, but isn't opposed to leaving her baby with a bottle of formula to go to the gym or go on a date with her husband. My "militant friend" just started crying and saying that she is jeopardizing her supply because the more bottles she gives, the less her body will produce and right now since the baby is so tiny he should be stimulating her often so she'll be able to keep up with his growth spurts, etc.
When we were talking about our friend on the crash diet, she started crying as well. She said her heart breaks for these babies that deserve to be breastfed.
While, she was here for 5-6 hours yesterday and I had to feed Jacob a few tmes while she was here. She knows about our tongue tie issues and all the work I put into breastfeeding (SNS, pumping, etc.) Since she's such a good friend, she's also seen the stress it is causing. She said she can see the stress in my face (and also Jacob's face) every time we feed.
Well, she had brought me flowers (a nice bunch from Whole Foods) and yesterday she gave me a card and it was so compassionate!!!
The card said that she knew I had done everything I possibly could and if I chose to give up now I should feel no guilt...none. She said the most important thing is a loved, happy, baby. She wrote that formula has it's place and I should feel no guilt in using it in our situation.
She felt like I had done all I could and she said I was more open to trying and working through problems than most people and she was impressed with my openness and willingness to try things most people wouldn't have.
I felt like it was true lactivism combined with true compassion.
What an awesome friend - you are both inspiring!
