Breastfeeding

From the beginning of my pregnancy I made the decision that my baby would be breastfed.  Throughout the entire pregnancy I read all about it, took a class, surfed the web, and followed other Mommas on message boards that were or wanted to breastfeed.  Throughout all that, I understood that there were certain circumstances that would make breastfeeding difficult or impossible: Baby not latching, low milk supply, any health issues, but I hoped I wouldn't face any of those obstacles.  Then I researched pumps in case there was some reason Elise wouldn't latch on and because I had intended on pumping to send milk to daycare.  I decided to wait on buying a pump, just to see how it would all go.

I had a very loose birth plan, but the one thing I was adamant about was that my baby was not to receive any formula.  I breastfed her soon after she was born, but then the nurses took her off to the nursery.  Before they left with her, I asked "no one will give her any formula, right?" 

I was very lucky that I didn't have any problems that prevented Elise from breastfeeding.  Of course it hurt like mother for a little while, but it was soooo important to me for my child to have breast milk that I just bit my lip and closed my eyes.  I just went through child birth.  Surely I can suck it up and breast feed.  Nursing isn't for everyone, and it is a personal choice, but I found it very surprising that many people would actually ask me "are you nursing?"  I found it even more surprising that everyone that works at my pediatrician's office assumes my baby is bottle/formula fed.  I guess that's becoming the norm these days.  The nurses would tell me what to add to her "formula" or "bottle" for her constipation.  I'd have to tell them she is exclusively breast fed and refuses a bottle (spoiled!).  They would pause for a minute... as if they didn't deal with this situation very often.

I'm going on 9 months of breastfeeding.  It has become much easier now that Elise isn't eating every two hours like when she was a new baby.  She has two teeth now and has bitten me four times.  But, she's been formula free for eight and a half months, and I would be devastated if I have to give her any.  I am so proud of myself for sticking with it this long, and so happy that Elise is getting the best nutrition she can.  I can't forget to mention how much money we've saved by not formula feeding.