Breastfeeding is often depicted as a beautiful, serene bonding experience between mother and child. While there’s no denying the benefits of breast milk, there are several realities that aren’t always shared in prenatal classes or parenting books. Here’s a candid look at 15 things you might not hear about breastfeeding.
- It can be excruciating. Imagine a thousand tiny knives twisting at your nipples each time your baby latches. You’ll find yourself obsessing over that little latch!
- Your newborn will want to nurse around the clock. Sure, nursing burns calories—but what they don’t mention is that you’ll be too busy to eat, which is where the weight loss comes from!
- Your little one will continue nursing even after you think there’s nothing left. You might start to feel like she’s trying to suck the life out of you.
- At some point, you may find yourself envious of your partner. Why do they get to enjoy a drink while you’re stuck nursing?
- You might feel a bit cheated. The glowing testimonials from other mothers don’t adequately capture how demanding it can be to cater to the whims of a tiny, cranky baby.
- Let’s be real—moms in other countries aren’t sitting around discussing the emotional connections of breastfeeding. They just get on with feeding their babies. Formula might start to look quite appealing.
- Even after introducing formula, your baby will likely want to nurse again in less than an hour.
- You may find yourself in tears when the pediatrician reassures you that formula is a safe alternative. But honestly, you’d cry over anything right now; sleep has been a distant memory.
- You’ll feel a wave of sadness if your baby takes to formula too eagerly. Is this what you were meant to do as a mother, and are you failing?
- When your partner asks why you’re so vocal about your breastfeeding struggles, you might want to jump up and demonstrate your pain on him—though you’ll refrain since you still haven’t been cleared for exercise.
- You might try pumping only to feel defeated when you collect a measly half ounce from each side. That’s enough to buy you a few minutes of quiet, but not much else.
- There will come a day when you wonder if you’ve showered or brushed your teeth—only to realize it’s already 6 PM.
- Nursing covers? Total scam. Your baby will likely scream and sweat under it, making you feel guilty for trying to avoid flashing the world.
- But through it all, you’ll discover your strength and resilience. You can handle this!
- And if for any reason you can’t continue breastfeeding, life will go on. The world won’t end, not even a little.
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In summary, breastfeeding is not just a serene experience but can be fraught with unexpected challenges. Understanding these truths can help prepare you for the journey ahead.
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