I just got off the phone with my best friend and I'm feeling very satisfied and happy.
She just had her 4th baby last week...so, a week old little fellow, born weighing 9 l 6 oz!
She breastfed her first (now 10) for about a month. Didn't even attempt bfing with her second, and although she tried with her 3rd (now 3), she gave up before the first week was over because of the intense pain (bad latch) and the constant nursing (afraid he was starving).
She found out she was pregnant again (unexpectedly) when my baby was about a month old. Throughout her pregnancy, I was learning how to breastfeed (my dd2 is my 3rd, and I ff my first two because I had no education or support otherwise). I talked with her about bfing, and we spent a lot of time during her pregnancy talking about the ups and downs of bfing, the challenges, the pleasures.
She was curious and always wanted to watch when I got Willow latched on and settled. It was almost foreign to her...but as her pregnancy continued, I heard less "ew, gross" comments and more "wow, that's just amazing" comments. Her perception shifted...and she became committed to bfing her new baby.
I warned her that the first two weeks were HORRIBLE for me, but that after the first 6 weeks, things got much better. I didn't want her to think I'd lied to her.
But I promised that I would do whatever I could for her, and be her support the best I could once the baby was born...
And here he is. Since his birth, we've talked every other day, she's called with questions...and just today she told me, "I am so happy. I am SO amazed that I can feed my baby with my body. It is just amazing."
She is tired. She is sore. But she is producing tons of milk, her baby is eating well, and even though she is still having the challenges of early breastfeeding, she is encouraged and committed and excited...and she says it's because I have been there for her that she has been able to do it...that the books I bought for her and all of our talks and all of my guidance has made it possible for her to understand that even though it's hard, it is so worth it...
And that just makes me so happy.
She just had her 4th baby last week...so, a week old little fellow, born weighing 9 l 6 oz!
She breastfed her first (now 10) for about a month. Didn't even attempt bfing with her second, and although she tried with her 3rd (now 3), she gave up before the first week was over because of the intense pain (bad latch) and the constant nursing (afraid he was starving).
She found out she was pregnant again (unexpectedly) when my baby was about a month old. Throughout her pregnancy, I was learning how to breastfeed (my dd2 is my 3rd, and I ff my first two because I had no education or support otherwise). I talked with her about bfing, and we spent a lot of time during her pregnancy talking about the ups and downs of bfing, the challenges, the pleasures.
She was curious and always wanted to watch when I got Willow latched on and settled. It was almost foreign to her...but as her pregnancy continued, I heard less "ew, gross" comments and more "wow, that's just amazing" comments. Her perception shifted...and she became committed to bfing her new baby.
I warned her that the first two weeks were HORRIBLE for me, but that after the first 6 weeks, things got much better. I didn't want her to think I'd lied to her.
But I promised that I would do whatever I could for her, and be her support the best I could once the baby was born...
And here he is. Since his birth, we've talked every other day, she's called with questions...and just today she told me, "I am so happy. I am SO amazed that I can feed my baby with my body. It is just amazing."
She is tired. She is sore. But she is producing tons of milk, her baby is eating well, and even though she is still having the challenges of early breastfeeding, she is encouraged and committed and excited...and she says it's because I have been there for her that she has been able to do it...that the books I bought for her and all of our talks and all of my guidance has made it possible for her to understand that even though it's hard, it is so worth it...
And that just makes me so happy.
What an incredible feeling, huh? I sure hope I can have the chance to do that with a friend someday!
