The Lighter Side of Breastfeeding

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Yes there was a dark side to it. I had to get over the fact every midwife in the county had squeezed my nipples, the agony of engorged boobs and the sensitive bleeding cracked nipples but I do really enjoy breastfeeding my little one. Apart from the obvious health benefits to both me and my daughter there are other benefits to breastfeeding which I have discovered along the way that you don’t often read about.

Every morning I wake up to find my little one rooting around and snuggling into my vest in search of that first feed of the day. She is sleepy headed and her eyes barely open. Her breath is warm on my skin and her hair rocks the bed head look. Her eyes flicker back and forth as the first few mouthfuls send her back into a sleepy dreamlike state. It is the most perfect way to wake. My husband during this time is making a cup of coffee to bring up to bed for me. As he can’t feed our daughter he does loads of other things so he can help.

I have to admit I have quickly taken advantage of the fact my husband does other ‘chores’ whilst I am feeding. Miraculously when its time to cook our dinner, our little one needs a feed.  So whilst I sit nursing on the sofa, he is slaving away in the kitchen whilst at the same time supervising our eldest daughters computer time.

When its time to put away all the food shopping, our little one desperately needs a quick feed as she must be thirsty after a busy afternoon being pushed around the supermarket. Cue me and the girls sitting in front of the TV watching some Saturday evening family show.

And wouldn’t you just know it whenever the door bell goes I can’t possibly answer it as I am only wearing a little feeding vest.

Now there are obviously times when husband is not around.  This is when the most breastfeeding related incidents occur. Take the first day we had this year of sunshine. I couldn’t wait to get our washing outside. We have 3 clothes horses that I had filled and was carrying them individually out into the back garden. There was a bit of a breeze but this did not account for why my left breast was decidedly chillier then the right.  It took a few seconds to dawn on me that I had neglected to tuck myself back in after the last feed. Now what to do stand in the garden and tuck it in, try and cover it with my hands and walk back into the house or hide amongst the washing and cry. I shall let you decide what I did.

I have become used to now feeding my little one wherever I go. It was daunting at first and I even bought a feeding cover which I used to try and feed discreetly – it worked until little one was old enough (at only 6 weeks) to lift it up repeatedly and expose me anyway.  She takes every chance she can to try and embarrass me. Guaranteed she needs a feed during church. Whilst I have no problem feeding her in church any more she also knows exactly when to move her head away from my breast  for maximum exposure to the maximum amount of male members of the congregation. None of whom have complained to me yet.

I have had complaints elsewhere though. I was feeding in a supermarket cafe when she was very very small. A lady on a nearby table stood up and loudly announced it was disgusting, that I was disgusting and I was putting her off her breakfast. I was mortified. Thankfully I was with a friend. A rather potty mouthed friend who put this other woman firmly in her place. The manager even came over and apologised.  I have since learned a lot of things to say back to people who may dare to complain about us breastfeeding in public, the first person may be sprayed ‘accidentally’ with breast milk.

At the end of a busy day we have another sleepy breastfeed, usually around the time the dishwasher needs loading.