The brave C and I attended a breastfeeding class last night, and to say the least it was educational. Thankfully we didn't get stuck with one of those lactation consultants that is adamant about breastfeeding until the age of five (though, she did admit to nursing her youngest until he was three, which is a bit excessive in my opinion, but I'm not judging), but she was very informative and positive about the benefits. I even learned that breastfeeding can reduce MY risk of female cancers like breast and ovarian. That's pretty nifty, eh?
Breastfeeding, in my opinion, is pretty much a non-decision. It's free, it's WAY better for the baby, and there will be no substitute for the bonding that will go on between me and my son. Plus, dirty diapers are less of a mess, there's less spitting up, and barely (if any) burping. And it means that I don't have to get up and make a bottle when the baby is hungry. I can even nurse in bed while I'm trying to sleep! Seriously, what isn't to love about it? Other than the constant reminder that my tits are actually functional instead of just for funsies, I guess. Meh, I'm over it.
Now, as far as how long I will breastfeed goes, I'm shooting to make it a full year. I was a bit worried about being bitten when his teeth start coming in, but I figure it's probably similar to training a dog not to bite, only easier because human babies are a lot smarter than dogs (one hopes, right? Right). My niece's momma told me that she only had to flick her a couple of times before she stopped biting. Granted, I'm having a little boy who is part me and part C, so it's quite possible that he'll bite me more than twice before he understands that it's not kosher. Or he'll do it simply because he can. I guess we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get there.
See, this is (one of) my issue(s) with being pregnant: all the speculation. I just want the prize at the end of this long, body-changing road! I've heard women just go on and on about the joys of being pregnant, but honestly I think it blows. The uncomfort only increases by the day, and maternity clothing is becoming the bane of my existence. I smell funny, my breath is worse than it has ever been ALL THE TIME, and there is so much mucus in my body right now that I am simply in AWE of my mucus-creating abilities. And don't even get me started about the mood swings. I practically bit C's head off last night over the best way to sanitize baby bottles. WTF? I have no idea, but I'm not a fan. Damn hormones.
This is my 23rd week, though, so that means there are only 17 left. Whoa! That's crazy. I found out at 17 weeks, and now there's only that much more to go? I guess I can't complain about that. The baby counter over there says I've got 122 days left. That's a lot...I think I'll stick to the week calculation. For some reason 17 weeks is a lot less daunting than 122 days. 17 more weeks....17 more weeks....17 more weeks...
3 comments:
hahaha. You crack me up. Being pregnant SUCKS, I don't know what those crazy ladies are talking about who love it. I cannot wait to meet your little man, though! You're gonna be awesome :)
My first child couldn't breastfeed because she was premature, and I really, really, really tried hard to do it with my second, but my nipples cracked open and she was sucking just about as much blood as milk, plus it hurt like hell. In the end, I decided that it would be better if I didn't hate my baby, so we went with formula. Best advice I have when it comes to babies--don't get to set in your idea of how you want things to be. Just go with what comes up, because a lot of times, if you don't, you'll just end up banging your head against the wall.
As a mother who has breastfed two babies, am I allowed to laugh hysterically at this post?
I admire your drive to breastfeed, and I definitely think you should do it. But just in case no one told you, it's hard, and sometimes it hurts like hell in the beginning. And if you're me you go nuts having another human being attached to you 24-7. I'd never want to dissuade you because I think it's also awesome, but I know if a mom goes into it knowing both the benefits and the hard parts, it will be easier for her to actually carry through and not give up.
And having nursed two kids until the age of one, the biting was never as big of an issue as I'd thought it would be. Them pulling off while still sucking hurts worse :-)
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