I had a "moment" as I was holding Halle. I realized how much I love having a little baby. Moreover, I realized how much I have come to love nursing!
When Noelle was a newborn, someone (who happened to be a mother of 11), asked me if I was going to breastfeed. I half-heartedly said "yes" and was shocked when this mom of 11 told me that I was going to love it. I was so confused by her notion. I just didn't get it. Why would anyone love having to have a baby sucking on their nipple all the time? In my "liberated" mind, the entire concept sounded a little too "confining." But now...I get it.
[Photo Credit: AlyssssylA]
British author and obstetrician, Grantly-Dick Read explains;
A newborn baby has only 3 needs. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breast, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three.
I would admonish any new mom to breastfeed, if possible. When you are breastfeeding you are doing more than just feeding your baby. You are comforting, bonding with, and lavishing love on your baby. The experience is not only priceless, but one of the God-given privileges that has uniquely been given to women.
It is only in the act of nursing that a woman realizes her motherhood in visible and tangible fashion; it is a joy of every moment. ~Honore de Balzac
Oh it is so much more than food. My relationship with my babies and children is so huge because of it. In my opinion anyway.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has struggled with an extremely low milk supply, the only thing that has kept me going sometimes is the comfort that its not just about the milk. Given how much of a challenge the whole process has been, I feel grateful every morning I am able to get up and nurse my sweet baby girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post!! I love it. I can so relate. Breastfeeding was my favorite part of being a new mother, and to me made motherhood relatively easy for the first six months or so of their lives.
ReplyDeleteI miss it. My daughter will be three in a few months, and she still wants to nurse from time to time. Sometimes I allow it, and I'm reminded of how much comfort and warmth young children still get from nursing, not just little babies, because clearly I don't think there's any milk in there now. :)
@Tina-That is so sweet. It is SO much more than the mlk!
ReplyDelete@ S. Belle- How sweet! She's not giving up easily! LOL:)
ReplyDelete@Tricia, Tina, and S.Belle-
Now that I think of it, I think that (once I got the hang of it) breastfeeding was the main thing that helped build my confidence as a mom, in general.