When I decided to induce lactation I had a goal in mind: 6 months. Then when we were at the beginning of it all, and it was SO much tougher than I could have imagined, I couldn't believe I'd make it to 6 months. Well, we're almost there! December 11th is Addie's half birthday, and it will also be the 6 month mark for breastfeeding.
It has been an experience - one that I'm glad I've had, and one that I'm also glad is almost over. I think if it had been easier, not so much at the beginning because I know that's when it's hard for *almost* everyone, but after those first 6 weeks, I might have considered going longer. Easier to me means having enough of a supply to exclusively breastfeed her - if that was the case, I probably would have just kept going. BF is cheap, convenient and in many ways, a no-brainer (once you get past the first "what the hell am I doing?" phase). I also never really felt the BF bond I heard so much about when I was getting ready to do this. Don't know why but for me, it's always felt more like I was providing a need versus having a "moment" with my child. Now I can meet about 50-60% of her needs, and the rest comes from the pumped milk Jenna has been providing (more on that in a moment!) When I was at my doctor's for Addie's 5 month appointment she said, "It is nice to get your body back" and I thought, that's a great way to put it. In many ways I am ready to reclaim my breasts and get back into my nice bras : ) I also feel really good about being able to provide Addie with 6 months of breastmilk, and thanks to Jenna, she'll continue having breastmilk for many more months.
Now on to Jenna - she's a pumping machine. This woman can get more breastmilk...it's amazing to watch those bottles fill up! Seriously though, as if she hadn't already done enough by carrying Addie for us, she's also been a dedicated pumper for the past 5+ months. She's been pumping at work, in the middle of the night, at dinner parties...you name it, she's pumped at it. Adam and I are so grateful to her for that - I truly never expected her to keep going this long and I think it's absolutely amazing. Not to mention, she's also been able to provide a couple of milk shipments to our friends M&M&T out in Vancouver - she is singlehandedly helping two babies to thrive on breastmilk! Because of her absolute commitment to making sure Addie has milk until she's 1, we now have two freezers filled. My sister never ceases to amaze me - I'm in awe of her.
I feel really good about what we've been able to do for Addie, and when six months hit it will be time to hang up my nursing hat (and bra!) I'm undecided about whether I would go through the induced lactation process again for baby #2, but chances are good that I would. How can you do it for one baby but not the other? Anyway, we're a long way away from having to make a decision like that so for now, I'll just enjoy this last month of BF and then pull out my Victoria Secret bras again.
It has been an experience - one that I'm glad I've had, and one that I'm also glad is almost over. I think if it had been easier, not so much at the beginning because I know that's when it's hard for *almost* everyone, but after those first 6 weeks, I might have considered going longer. Easier to me means having enough of a supply to exclusively breastfeed her - if that was the case, I probably would have just kept going. BF is cheap, convenient and in many ways, a no-brainer (once you get past the first "what the hell am I doing?" phase). I also never really felt the BF bond I heard so much about when I was getting ready to do this. Don't know why but for me, it's always felt more like I was providing a need versus having a "moment" with my child. Now I can meet about 50-60% of her needs, and the rest comes from the pumped milk Jenna has been providing (more on that in a moment!) When I was at my doctor's for Addie's 5 month appointment she said, "It is nice to get your body back" and I thought, that's a great way to put it. In many ways I am ready to reclaim my breasts and get back into my nice bras : ) I also feel really good about being able to provide Addie with 6 months of breastmilk, and thanks to Jenna, she'll continue having breastmilk for many more months.
Now on to Jenna - she's a pumping machine. This woman can get more breastmilk...it's amazing to watch those bottles fill up! Seriously though, as if she hadn't already done enough by carrying Addie for us, she's also been a dedicated pumper for the past 5+ months. She's been pumping at work, in the middle of the night, at dinner parties...you name it, she's pumped at it. Adam and I are so grateful to her for that - I truly never expected her to keep going this long and I think it's absolutely amazing. Not to mention, she's also been able to provide a couple of milk shipments to our friends M&M&T out in Vancouver - she is singlehandedly helping two babies to thrive on breastmilk! Because of her absolute commitment to making sure Addie has milk until she's 1, we now have two freezers filled. My sister never ceases to amaze me - I'm in awe of her.
I feel really good about what we've been able to do for Addie, and when six months hit it will be time to hang up my nursing hat (and bra!) I'm undecided about whether I would go through the induced lactation process again for baby #2, but chances are good that I would. How can you do it for one baby but not the other? Anyway, we're a long way away from having to make a decision like that so for now, I'll just enjoy this last month of BF and then pull out my Victoria Secret bras again.