This week is World Breastfeeding Week. I thought why not share a few of my thoughts on it. Well, before I forget my experience of breastfeeding completely, that is.
When I got pregnant with my daughter, M, one of the things that I did is to not read up on anything related to pregnancy or even what to do after giving birth. I’m not saying that is the right thing to do. It’s just that I didn’t want to get overwhelmed with all the information out there. Maybe, I was avoiding anxiety and just holding on to the last few months of being a little less responsible, a little free. Hence, once M was born, I was blissfully unaware of those apprehensions about breastfeeding that torments first-time moms. So, when I started breastfeeding M, I started from zero information on it. It worked for me but I’m not sure I recommend it.
Breastfeeding the first time
Immediately after M was born, I had fallen into a kind of drunken stupor after hearing those golden words ‘It’s a girl‘. When I woke up, that was the first time they brought M to me. That goofball of a baby had then instantly latched onto me for her first feed. It was easy for me because I know how sometimes making the baby latch on to the breast can be difficult initially. I was also thankfully generating enough milk, way too much if you ask me. Hence, the initial challenge of breastfeeding for me was only the discomfort that came from it.
Things I discovered in the first few weeks of breastfeeding that I didn’t know before.
I found that when it’s time for a feed, your breasts start leaking automatically. Imagine my surprise or rather horror initially when while feeding M from one breast, the other began to leak. I had even asked the doctor if something was wrong with me. Of course, I found out it was all normal.
I had no idea that your breasts could get hardened like a stone if the amount of milk being produced by you was more than your baby was taking in. When M was in the NICU for the first few days due to jaundice, among the many things I realized was the discomfort of hardened breasts.
Those initial days of breastfeeding were also fraught with waking up with my clothes soaked in milk. I remember crying because the disturbed sleep that I was already getting with having to wake up every 2 hours was further disrupted by it.
Would I have been more prepared had I read up on breastfeeding? Perhaps. The younger me didn’t know it then.
Breastfeeding or Formula and Weaning
Like all the other spheres of being a woman, there are conflicting opinions on the various aspects or takes on breastfeeding. The judgement, it seems, doesn’t leave a woman alone even in this. One of the most contentious among the various opinions is whether giving formula to your child is a good thing or bad.
Now, I breastfed M till she was about 2 years old. As you can imagine, I was in no rush to wean her off breastmilk. However, since I was going back to work post-maternity leave, I had to plan for those hours when I wouldn’t be available. I could have pumped and left the milk for her, but I wasn’t comfortable doing that. Hence, I discussed with M’s paediatrician who told me it was perfectly alright to give formula to M when we were travelling or when I couldn’t be with her. Here too, I used the approach I had during my pregnancy. I consulted my doctor instead of looking up answers on Google. Well, Google knows a lot but not more than a doctor.
So, when we travelled by air with M for the first time when she was a baby, I carried formula with me. I also carried formula with me when we had to be out without any option for breastfeeding. Hence, M was not only breastfed, but she was also familiarized with the formula for those out of the ordinary situations to make my life easier. I think it all comes down to what’s feasible for you if it isn’t harming your baby.
A mom who breastfeeds doesn't become a great mom as a result of this. A mom who uses formula doesn't become a bad mom because she can't or chooses not to breastfeed. #Breastfeeding Share on X
Surprising Benefits of Breastfeeding
It is well known that breast milk builds up your baby’s immunity.
It provides nutrition to your baby.
Breastfeeding also helps new moms return to their pre-pregnancy weight.
There are a lot of scientific benefits but let me tell you a few other benefits of breastfeeding which I discovered with M.
A cranky baby on a flight can be soothed if you just breastfeed her.
A baby can be put to sleep by breastfeeding.
If you want to watch a movie but your baby is restless, breastfeed her and it works like magic.
You can read books while breastfeeding your baby.
If your baby is crying and you want to calm her immediately, breastfeed her. It works like magic.
All of these, I say from my personal experience. But there are also some uncanny side effects of breastfeeding.
Strange Side-effects to Breastfeeding
Once you start breastfeeding, your breasts synchronize themselves to your feeding schedule. So, suppose one day you go out and it’s time for your baby’s feed, they will start leaking automatically. Imagine being in a meeting and suddenly your breasts start to leak. Well, it goes to show why breasts pads are such a fad for new moms.
The other side-effect to breastfeeding is that your baby might bite while feeding scaring the living daylights out of you. Yes, even without teeth they have the capability of hurting you.
Breastfeeding – My Views
One of the things that I learnt is that the journey of every mom is different. There are different challenges that a mom faces. When it comes to breastfeeding too, I do not believe that the only way to take care of your baby is to be able to breastfeed her. There may be various complications due to which it might not be possible. I think it’s best to take advice from doctors on subjects such as these. A mom who breastfeeds doesn’t become a great mom as a result of this. A mom who uses formula doesn’t become a bad mom because she can’t or chooses not to breastfeed. It’s simple, feed your child as best as you can. If you can and want to breastfeed, do it. If not, there are ways to take care of your baby. The important thing is not to judge.
On this breastfeeding week, I would like to say that I’m happy that I could breastfeed my daughter for as long as I did. I’m also happy that I chose to listen to my doctor whenever I had doubts instead of seeking out advice from people who are not medically qualified for that. That saved me a lot of heartaches. It helped me make my journey my own and at the end of the day, isn’t that what’s most important?
Your thoughts?
