We gathered in a circle, some perched on metal folding chairs while others sank into faded floral couches that surely dated back to the 1980s. As I scanned the room filled with mothers—some cradling their infants and others with slightly older children—I found myself questioning, “What am I doing here?” My eyes drifted to a child, not quite two, who was wandering about the room, occasionally returning to her mother for a quick sip of breastmilk.
“It’s just a breast. Don’t be so judgmental!” I reminded myself. “It’s her choice to nurse her toddler, even if it makes you a bit uncomfortable.” These thoughts swirled in my mind as I fought against the urge to critique the mothers attending the La Leche League meeting.
As a new mom, I was seeking advice on nursing in public. I had a baby boy at home, and our breastfeeding journey was going surprisingly well. Yet, each time I nursed him in a public setting, a wave of self-consciousness washed over me, leading to awkward fumbling with my nursing cover in a desperate attempt to maintain modesty.
Coming from a legal background, I was used to structure and formality. The world of motherhood, breastfeeding, and casual talks about diapers was foreign territory for me. Thankfully, my close friend joined me at the meeting (after a bit of gentle persuasion on my part), and as we walked to our cars afterwards, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Did you see that woman nursing her toddler? That’s wild. I could never do that!”
Ah, the naive musings of my younger self. Fast forward to today, and I’m the mother of three kids—a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year-old who is still nursing. Yes, I’ve been breastfeeding for six continuous years, nursing through two pregnancies and even tandem nursing my children—one on each side—until they were about 3½ years old.
Here’s the kicker: I never aligned myself with any extreme extended breastfeeding movement or subscribed to any rigid parenting philosophy dictating how long mothers should nurse their children. Honestly, I have no patience for those so-called mommy wars. As long as you’re feeding your child in a healthy and suitable way, that’s what matters most to me.
I’m just an everyday mom with normal kids, navigating the ups and downs of parenting like everyone else. I never became an official member of La Leche League after attending a couple of meetings. I simply do what feels right for my family. And while you don’t need my approval, you have my full support to do what works best for yours. Because whether bottle or breast, you know your child best.
If you’re interested in exploring more about parenting and family dynamics, I recommend checking out this insightful post on Cervical Insemination. And if you’re considering home insemination methods, Cryobaby offers reliable syringe kits to assist you. For further guidance, Resolve is an excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination options.
Summary:
This reflection on motherhood captures my unexpected journey with breastfeeding, highlighting the judgments I once held and how my perspective shifted over the years. Emphasizing the importance of individual choice in parenting, I share my experiences while encouraging others to embrace what works best for their families.
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