I was nervous about breastfeeding before I had Peyton. I heard so many stories about women not being successful at breastfeeding. I was also scared that I would be less of a mom if I didn’t breastfeed. While I was pregnant, I came across so many articles and forums women dogging out other women out because they couldn’t or wouldn’t breastfeed. I was nervous about being judged if I didn’t breastfeed.
The day after I had Peyton the milk started flowing like a river. I had to start pumping in the hospital. I thank God for that. But I knew at the same time if I couldn’t breastfeed, that wouldn’t make me less of a mom to Peyton.
I produced more milk than Peyton was consuming so I exclusively pumped. My Peyton’s pediatrician suggested that I feed her directly from the breast for the first 3 weeks and then start to give her the milk in the bottle. I literally felt like a cow. I would feed my daughter and then pump. I had to do this every 3 hours. I was milking around the clock.
I returned to back to work after 3 months and continued to pump. It was a lot of work but I’m happy I kept it up. I continued to pump until Peyton was 7 months. One day, I just couldn’t continue to pump anymore. I guess I was burned out. The milk was still coming full force but I just couldn’t do it anymore. So I proceeded to do what I could to dry it up. This may sound selfish but I felt like my mental health was at stake.
I may have stopped pumping but I had a wonderful stash of milk. Peyton wasn’t introduced to formula until she was 10 months old. And she did just fine.
I look at my breastfeeding story as a success for me. Everyone is different and I did the best I could. I encourage all mothers to do what’s best for them and baby. Every woman is different. Let’s not judge, but support each other to be the best moms we can be.
What’s your breastfeeding story? Check out this funny video from Similac for #SisterhoodUnite. To learn more about Similac’s Sisterhood of Motherhood click HERE.
*This post is sponsored by Similac Sisterhood in Motherhood. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
Aracely
March 18, 2015 at 10:16 amThis photo is so beautiful! That’s great that you were able to breastfeed it was the total opposite for me. My milk never came in and probably because I had surgery to remove cysts several times. I wanted to so bad but Madison did pretty well drinking formula. We did have to try a few different formulas the first few weeks and were so happy when we found the right one, which happened to be Similac Sensitive.
Jhéanell
March 18, 2015 at 10:58 amPrior to having my son I was gun ho on breastfeeding, I didn’t even think to buy bottles until maybe 2 days before I had him (just incase). Unfortunately, I was only able to breast feed for a very short time which made me really sad. I cried the first time I gave him formula. Looking back, I was putting too much pressure on myself and I definitely feared being judged by the “boobie gang” as I like to call them. My son is now 2, very healthy and extremely smart. I think each mama and baby should what works best for them without the fear of being judged. Thank you for highlighting this taboo topic! Great photo by the way 🙂
Sonya
March 18, 2015 at 11:13 amI have two kids and I’ve breastfeed them both for over two years each. After I had my first I went back to work for two weeks and pumped during this time. I hated pumping my milk so I completely understand that you felt like your mental health was at stake. I don’t think I would have been able to breastfeed very long if I would have had to pump to feed my baby. For me it was a lot harder keeping my supply up when I was pumping. Once I quit working it was a lot easier to maintain my supply just breastfeeding my baby directly. Moms should choose to do what feels right for their family. Because there will always be someone to suggest you are not doing it right weather you are breastfeeding or formula feeding.
Charlotte
March 18, 2015 at 11:36 amThis is a great post Trina, it speaks to the majority of women and their feelings when it comes to breastfeeding. I didn’t have the fear that I could not breastfeed, because in my mind I thought it was something that came naturally. I learned that it wasnt’. I wasn’t able to breastfeed Neriah up until almost 3 days after, and even at that I wasn’t producing enough milk so she was constantly hungry. It was difficult considering the backlash that often comes with other moms looking down on you when you have a newborn who’s drinking out of a bottle. But you are right to each their own. What matters most is a healthy baby… Great post!!!!!
Kim
March 18, 2015 at 12:55 pmGood job! You did your best. I can related to you. I was on the fence about breast feeding. I had one friend who would always tell me “You’d better give her that breast.” When the time came, and she was born, I just did it. Plus, it saved us a ton of money. I also had a crap load of milk. I was able to nurse and pump and still have milk for when I went back to work, and eventually go away. Every milestone we reached I was happy. By the time she hit 2.5 I was worn out. By 2 yrs 7 months she was weaned. Thank God!
Ivy Kenney
March 21, 2015 at 8:36 pmI have to say people who judge are just judgementle an should be over looked my opinion. Sorry. Anyway this is a great story from day one i wanted to breastfeed. I am not breastfeeding my second son and did for the first seven with my now four year old i have to say which sure will be judged on when i gave my first son formula he didnt like it an wouldnt eat it but i could produce no more so i ended up giving him 1% milk and he did good with it no reactions or nothing an his doc said that was ok as long as he was eating. So if u cant breastfeed it not a big deal some can some cant there is nothing wrong with either. Im goping i can breastfeed longer with my 12 week old this time. pumping an bottle feeding is just the same i have to say at least for me once they are just so big it just easier to use bottles. Good job for trying an succeeding in breastfeeding.
Emma
September 22, 2016 at 4:35 pmHi love, thanks for writing this post, it’s so true about the guilt of not being able to breastfeed and the worry of other mums looking down at you. I only lasted 2 days breastfeeding because my daughter wouldn’t latch properly and a few days after I stopped I completely dried up. Like you I feared my mental health because I also felt like a cow haha, I didn’t want to have a baby stuck to me all hours of the day or night! I found it terrifying to be honest. Mums should be given the freedom to choose what they feel is best, there is so much pushiness nowadays and not enough support. I’m glad you had a great experience and your daughters are beautiful x