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The Evolution of Breastfeeding-from My First to Second Child

The Evolution of Breastfeeding-from My First to Second Child   BreastfeedingPlace.com #breastfeeding #childHave you ever noticed after you buy something new, everyone seems to have it? It’s called perceptual vigilance. The same thing happened when I became pregnant and, subsequently, when I started breastfeeding. I can’t recall ever noticing anyone breastfeeding in my pre-mommy days, nor can I ever recall seeing news headlines about “nurse-ins.” Now that I am a mother of two daughters, 23 month old Sophia and 6 month old Harper, I see such headlines pop up on my newsfeed pretty regularly and I got to thinking about my experience…and the evolution of breastfeeding from my first to my second.

The Evolution of Breastfeeding

When I became pregnant with Sophia I knew right away I was going to breastfeed. What I didn’t realize is that my thoughts on breastfeeding, or how I would breastfeed, would change over time. I thought breastfeeding would come easily for myself and the baby, I mean how hard could it possibly be?

Then I actually had to do it and boy, I couldn’t have been more wrong. It hurt, badly! We had latching issues and had to use a nipple shield. Every single time I went to feed her I had to have the shield, the success of that feeding was reliant upon it. It leaked and would soak us both with breast milk, it was hard to store and clean on-the-go, not to mention the fact that I had to remember to bring it everywhere! Then on those occasions when I had to nurse in public I would bring the lovely nursing cover.

I was embarrassed of nursing in public. I felt as though everyone was looking at me so I hid behind the cover.

Encountering the Public

One day I actually had a woman approach me while I was nursing in public. I was wearing a cover and sitting in the park. I purposefully sat in a spot away from everyone, or so I thought. I put the thick cotton nursing cover on (in 90+ degree heat). I got the shield out, sanitized, and placed correctly, and finally got Sophia to latch on (all under the cover with her squirming around and crying, but that’s a different story). And then…it happened.

The woman seemingly came out of nowhere and said something along the lines of, “Bravo! I’m so glad you’re one of those women who value modesty. If you ask me it’s just not right to breastfeed in public – no one wants to see that!” Then she left as quickly as she came, I didn’t even utter a word.

I was in shock that someone actually approached me. That’s something I had heard about but never thought would happen to me. And, I was covered up!

The truth was, I wasn’t covering up to make breastfeeding in public more bearable for everyone else, I was doing it because I felt more comfortable doing it. Nursing in public for me was difficult enough and this woman made it worse!

Getting the Hang of Breastfeeding

I breastfed Sophia for 13 months and those warm fuzzy feelings I had heard about breastfeeding just weren’t there for me. I saw it more as a burden, but I continued because I knew it was the healthier option for my daughter. Things did get better, though. Around 9 months old, I successfully weaned Sophia off of the dreaded shield. Nursing in public got a million times easier.

By the time my younger daughter, Harper, arrived I was a pro! Breastfeeding was completely different. Harper latched on immediately. There was no struggling to get her to latch on correctly, no shield, or frustration.

The nursing cover that was so important for me to hide behind in the past was now obsolete. I felt no shame in breastfeeding whatsoever. I can breastfeed anywhere, anytime. I even have those warm fuzzy feelings that my friends had talked about with their babies. I think the turning point for me was becoming a more experienced breastfeeding mother.

I went from feeling embarrassed of breastfeeding and hiding behind a cover to giving other moms words of encouragement. I dare the woman who approached me when I was a new mother (and new to breastfeeding) to approach me now, I would definitely not remain silent. I have found my voice and for that I am grateful.

Learning the Evolution of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is not for everyone, it is something I chose to do. If you choose to breastfeed and you’re having a difficult time, stick with it. There is no right way or wrong way to feed your baby, there is your way. Do what works best for you and if you need help look around, you are not alone. There are millions of other women who are breastfeeding, too. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Give yourself time to learn and become comfortable. Your experience with breastfeeding, as with most things, will evolve over time.  Your baby will only want to nurse for a short period of time, so try to enjoy that time you have with your baby, love your baby, and look back on this time with fond memories.

Have you experienced this kind of evolution of breastfeeding with your child(ren)? What helped you grow?

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Brittany is the mother to two beautiful girls, Sophia and Harper. She and her hubby reside in the Sunshine State. Brittany writes at Truly Fit Mom.

Comments

  1. Liked the article! I do believe in breastfeeding and breastfeeding should be permitted publicly but I do feel women should use discernment and discretion. I breastfed myself but used a cover and will generally always use a cover because I don’t think its modest otherwise.

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