Let’s be real for a moment: I nursed four kids, yet I can’t say I ever truly enjoyed it. Sure, I did it for practical reasons—it was cost-effective and beneficial for their health—but it never gave me that magical bond I’d hoped for. In fact, it often felt the opposite.
Before becoming a mom, I was fully on board with the “breast is best” mantra. I was determined to breastfeed my son no matter the challenges. But when he arrived and I tried to nurse him, it was a total disaster. Honestly, it was way tougher than I anticipated—painful, and a bit of a puzzle to figure out. I later realized it was one of the least “natural” experiences I’d ever encountered. After a lot of tears from both of us and the support of an incredible lactation consultant, I finally managed to breastfeed him for a year.
Despite our struggles, I never developed a fondness for breastfeeding. While I appreciated being able to do it and knew my son benefited, the time and energy it consumed were exhausting. Plus, I really disliked being the only one who could feed him. No matter how fancy the breast pump, not a drop of milk would come out, leaving me tethered to every feeding.
After a year of constant nursing, I felt a sense of accomplishment but was also ready to wean him. I finally experienced a taste of freedom. I never held it against him; after all, doing hard things for our kids is part of the motherhood journey, right?
But when it came to baby number two, things changed completely. You know, if you’re considering starting your own family journey, you might want to check out Make A Mom—they offer a unique at-home insemination option that’s reusable. You can also see how it works here. And for those who might be interested in connecting with others in similar situations, joining a group like Make A Mom on Facebook could be a great step.
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In summary, while breastfeeding was a journey I completed for the health of my children, it was far from the blissful experience I imagined. If you’re at the beginning of this path, know that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions about it. If you’re exploring options for family building, look into resources like Modern Family Blog for more information on pregnancy and home insemination.