My experience with breastfeeding
It's funny because I've always seen breastfeeding from the point of view of a consultant. Now, having experienced it myself, there are many things that I would reaffirm as a consultant, and others that I would reflect on differently when transmitting them to the mothers I accompany. π©βπ«π‘
Breastfeeding is a very broad and variable topic depending on each mother. I could spend hours talking about it, but today I want to share my personal experience. β€οΈ
For me, breastfeeding is a very animal process; I live it from an instinctive and primitive place. πΎ If I had to put internal words to this feeling, I would say that it is like the weapon I have to protect my offspring, and I try to preserve it at all costs without anyone or anything interfering. π‘οΈ
It is a peaceful weapon with which I do not harm anyone and, at the same time, it makes me regain the strength of a warrior. With it, I am able to cover all of my baby's needs: bonding, nutrition, calm, and security. ππΆ
When I was pregnant, I visualized pumping milk so that the father and sister could bottle-feed him and participate in this wonderful process. π¨βπ©βπ§
What has happened in reality? π€
The reality is that, by experiencing the strength of the bond of breastfeeding, this instinctive part has emerged in me, which some would call "selfish", of wanting to preserve it until the end, for me, for him, and for us. π
First of all, because keeping breast milk for as long as possible is a concept of health. π₯
Secondly, because the bond during breastfeeding is magical and there are no words that can describe it. β¨The other members of the family will have other spaces and ways to forge bonds.
Third, because nature provides us with this for a reason. I surrender to it and try to keep it. πΏ
Fourth, I don't know if I'll ever be a mother again and I want to make the most of this life experience that is temporary, since breastfeeding will one day come to an end. β³
The reality is that I'm afraid of interference in my breastfeeding, because I'm enjoying it so much that I don't want it to end. When I talk about interference, I'm referring to any external element that replaces the breast as food. πΌπ«
As a consultant, I've seen babies who have maintained breastfeeding with a bottle and breast. Others have been faithful only to the breast, and some have opted for the bottle once they've tried it. This is my great fear now, as I prepare to return to work. I would even say that I'm angry... π
I see myself pushed to do something that I don't want, that doesn't come from my gut. This social setup, indirectly, forces me to return to work at a time that is very early for me for LΓΊar. ππΆ
I am preparing myself as much as possible for this moment, creating a milk bank and starting with complementary feeding, etc. πΌπ½οΈ
The question I ask myself is, if I didn't start working, would I do all this? Of course not... I wouldn't be in a hurry to introduce complementary feeding and I would take it very calmly. I wouldn't even give a bottle, I wouldn't be pumping milk every day and I wouldn't have these fears and questions of: Could it be the end of my breastfeeding? π€·ββοΈ
It really is a distressing process for mothers. When I received mothers with these concerns in the workshops, I couldn't understand them as I do now. π
If you find yourself in a similar process, I would love to hear about your experience and for us to be able to share. π€
Breastfeeding is a very broad and variable topic depending on each mother. I could spend hours talking about it, but today I want to share my personal experience. β€οΈ
For me, breastfeeding is a very animal process; I live it from an instinctive and primitive place. πΎ If I had to put internal words to this feeling, I would say that it is like the weapon I have to protect my offspring, and I try to preserve it at all costs without anyone or anything interfering. π‘οΈ
It is a peaceful weapon with which I do not harm anyone and, at the same time, it makes me regain the strength of a warrior. With it, I am able to cover all of my baby's needs: bonding, nutrition, calm, and security. ππΆ
When I was pregnant, I visualized pumping milk so that the father and sister could bottle-feed him and participate in this wonderful process. π¨βπ©βπ§
What has happened in reality? π€
The reality is that, by experiencing the strength of the bond of breastfeeding, this instinctive part has emerged in me, which some would call "selfish", of wanting to preserve it until the end, for me, for him, and for us. π
First of all, because keeping breast milk for as long as possible is a concept of health. π₯
Secondly, because the bond during breastfeeding is magical and there are no words that can describe it. β¨The other members of the family will have other spaces and ways to forge bonds.
Third, because nature provides us with this for a reason. I surrender to it and try to keep it. πΏ
Fourth, I don't know if I'll ever be a mother again and I want to make the most of this life experience that is temporary, since breastfeeding will one day come to an end. β³
The reality is that I'm afraid of interference in my breastfeeding, because I'm enjoying it so much that I don't want it to end. When I talk about interference, I'm referring to any external element that replaces the breast as food. πΌπ«
As a consultant, I've seen babies who have maintained breastfeeding with a bottle and breast. Others have been faithful only to the breast, and some have opted for the bottle once they've tried it. This is my great fear now, as I prepare to return to work. I would even say that I'm angry... π
I see myself pushed to do something that I don't want, that doesn't come from my gut. This social setup, indirectly, forces me to return to work at a time that is very early for me for LΓΊar. ππΆ
I am preparing myself as much as possible for this moment, creating a milk bank and starting with complementary feeding, etc. πΌπ½οΈ
The question I ask myself is, if I didn't start working, would I do all this? Of course not... I wouldn't be in a hurry to introduce complementary feeding and I would take it very calmly. I wouldn't even give a bottle, I wouldn't be pumping milk every day and I wouldn't have these fears and questions of: Could it be the end of my breastfeeding? π€·ββοΈ
It really is a distressing process for mothers. When I received mothers with these concerns in the workshops, I couldn't understand them as I do now. π
If you find yourself in a similar process, I would love to hear about your experience and for us to be able to share. π€