How Breastfeeding Taught Me Patience, Love, and Strength

 

There is no other journey that becomes a mom. It is full of happiness, fatigue, and even heart-altering experiences. Breastfeeding was one of these experiences, to me, that tried my love, my patience and made me realize that I was stronger than I ever imagined. This post is dedicated to you in case you are a first-time or even experienced mom.

If you’re a new mom—or even a seasoned one—this post is for you. Let’s talk about the real, emotional, and beautiful journey of breastfeeding.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Breastfeeding

I used to dream of calm and quiet moments nursing, cuddling, and being with my baby. Reality? Not exactly. At the beginning, breastfeeding is daunting. Painful nipples, irregular timetables and even the overwhelming fatigue caused by the late night feeds can leave anyone frustrated.

But this is the fact of the matter: these hard formative years are the beginning of a voyage that will teach you a great deal about yourself--and about your baby.

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Patience: Learning to Slow Down

The other important lesson that I acquired during breastfeeding was patience. Infants do not have routines—they are driven by the necessities. And as we desire to have everything under our control, breastfeeding helped me to slow down and be in the moment.

Responsive Strategies to be patient during breastfeeding:

• Breath deeply when making fussy feeds. You remain calm and thus your baby remains calm.

• Adjust your expectations. There will be days when it will be easier than others but that is all right.

• Celebrate small wins. Any successful feed is a success.

It was when I at last came to accept patience that I saw the magic. Previously stressful feeds were turned into special bonding.

Love: Bonding Beyond Words

The many lessons I learned through breastfeeding are the extent of unconditional love. The silence, the physical contact, the looking at each other of my child- it is a type of love which cannot be described.

Reasons why breastfeeding is a strong bonding practice:

• Physical contact between the mother and the newborn encourages intimacy and alleviates stress to both the mother and the baby.

• During feeds, eye contact is created, which creates trust and emotional security.

• Having a baby whose heart is palpating as it beats gives a lifetime connection.

It is also so incredible how something as trivial as feeding your baby can make you fall in love and also enhance your attachment in a way that I never expected.

Strength: Discovering Resilience You Didn’t Know You Possessed

Breastfeeding is not a painless experience. It has times of suffering, uncertainty and fatigue. But going through those experiences made me realize one more priceless thing: I am stronger than I believe.

How to strengthen using breastfeeding:

• Get the help of fellow moms - they know the good and bad better than anyone.

• Learn more on breastfeeding- ignorance will decrease frustration.

• Celebrate perseverance. Each feed, each day, is a test of your stamina.

Breastfeeding helped me understand it is not only physical strength that is important, but also emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Common Breastfeeding Problems and How to Overcome Them

A path to the heavens is not smooth. The following are some of the pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Low Milk Supply

• Frequent and on demand feeding.

• Drink plenty of water and feed yourself with healthy food.

• Seek advice of a lactation consultant.

Sore Nipples

• Apply nipple cream or natural remedies such as Lanolin.

• Test your baby to ensure that he or she is not suffering any more.

Engorgement

• Use warm compresses prior to feeding.

• Squeeze a small amount of milk to release the pressure.

FYI: Patience, love, and strength are all built in the course of overcoming challenges.

Making Breastfeeding Work for Your Lifestyle

It is difficult to juggle motherhood, self-care, and breastfeeding. The following are tips that may help on the same:

• Prepare a comfortable feeding environment using pillows, water and snacks.

• Employ a nursing schedule that is flexible to you.

• Take care of yourself- your well being impacts on the well being of your baby.

There is no need to stress over breastfeeding. It may be a bonding, reflective and growing time as long as you take it with patience and love.

A Spiritual Perspective: Gratitude in Motherhood

I also gained spiritual strength through breastfeeding as a mom. The fact that I will be able to feed my baby as a natural process is a blessing. The fact that all drops of milk are gifts helped me to recognize the beauty of this trip. Thankfulness will change your way of thinking, even tough feeds will be an occasion of connection and contemplation.

Conclusion

Breast feeding is not just feeding your baby but a process that teaches you to be patient, love and be strong things that nothing else can teach you. There will be days when it will seem that it is impossible, and there will be magic days. But every moment counts.

To all moms who read this: Have faith in yourself. It is your love and patience that is defining the world of your baby. They are getting to know how resilience looks like because of your strength. And all the feeds and all the cuddles and all the late-night fights--it is all worth it.

You should enjoy the process, you should celebrate the victories, you should keep in mind that you are doing an incredible job, and that you love people.