protect breastfeeding…
I always had one boob that was a champ… always wanted to show off when I fed or pumped lol…
For each breastfeeding journey it was my right side which regularly gave me ounces like this during pump sessions… 😬😳
People close to me used to joke I was a milk machine and honestly production was (fortunately) never an issue for me…
Even still the overall commitment to breastfeeding was a lot - mentally, physically, and emotionally. Thankfully I felt supported by my family, friends and employer, and felt like I had everything I needed to keep going - technically speaking.
I have shared a few times in the past that I nursed my oldest for 15 months and nursed the twins for 13 months… neither my son nor the twins have ever had formula… and I don’t share that for accolades but to emphasize that I felt like a round the clock buffet sometimes. Especially when the twins weren’t on the exact same feeding schedule… 🤦🏾♀️🤪
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month… and this week is World Breastfeeding Week. This week’s theme is “Protecting Breastfeeding - A Shared Responsibility” and I can personally attest to just how much of a “shared responsibility” it is. I can’t emphasize enough just how critical it was for me to have support at various points along my nursing journeys to make it as long as I did.
For the majority of my nursing journey with my oldest, and my entire journey with the twins, I worked remote. Fortunately even if I had been in the office my employer would have provided me the resources I needed to support my decision to nurse. They have designated rooms for nursing mothers to pump in, and no one questions when we skip out to pump… nor do we have to ask for permission or make an announcement due to the autonomy of my job.
That said… I know that isn’t the case for a lot of women who have chosen to breastfeed but are unable or unwilling to for several reasons… difficulties during labor and delivery, returning to work soon after delivery, inability to pump at work, lack of support, misinformation, etc. etc. I also know the choice to breastfeed may have less to do with individual choice, and more to do with systemic and historic factors that continue to impact minority mothers more than their peers - hence the need for continued education and transparency.
I’m the first to say that mothers should do whatever they feel is best… PERIOD. Fed is - in my opinion - best. And whatever mom needs to do to support her overall well-being should remain a priority. In other words, don’t do anything just because you feel like you are supposed to… especially if it’s at the expense of your sanity.
For women who WANT to breastfeed they should be supported in that decision and provided with adequate resources fo make it happen for as long as they choose to do so…
If you are pregnant and thinking about nursing… or nursing and feel like you have to quit because you don't have the support your need… educate yourself. Know your rights and be your own advocate, understand your benefits, ask for the resources you need, and lean on the people around you.
Every aspect of raising children takes a village… remember that even during your nursing journey! Comment below and let me know some of the ways you did - or did not - feel supported in your nursing journey and check out a few of my nursing tips here!