It’s almost never a simple answer. One of my biggest lessons in motherhood has been the ability to hold two very different feelings at the same time. “I love you with all my heart AND I just want 3 days to myself to especially not see you.” “I want to nurture the full range of your emotions AND I’m having a really hard time with this one particular emotion your having right now.” I could come up with a lot of these.
Breastfeeding, in my experience, was no different. My breastfeeding experience was wonderful AND I was so happy to have my body back when I was done. My breastfeeding experience took everything I could give AND I can’t imagine doing it any other way. A mom that struggled more may feel their breastfeeding experience was disappointing AND they still love and appreciate their body. Or their breastfeeding experience was nonexistent AND they’re perfectly fine with that. When it comes to breastfeeding decisions, there can be no judgement. A mama makes the decision that is right for her and her babe and/or must learn to accept the reality of what is. There are lessons in all of it. There is also no other way about it and that is nobody’s business but theirs. Let us celebrate all the ways we can feed our children.
If you care to share your statements below, please do! We lift each other up in knowing these complex feelings we have as mothers, mothers-to-be, and womxn yearning to be mothers are shared by others.
What Is Your Relationship with Breastfeeding?
