“Breast is Best.” This phrase ignites one of the fiercest debates among mothers. Honestly, I didn’t even realize how intense the “Mommy Wars” could be until I found myself navigating the complexities of breastfeeding. For those who aren’t fully committed to the idea of nursing, the online landscape can feel like a minefield.
Let me set the scene. When my friend checked in on me after my first week of motherhood, she simply asked, “How’s it going?”
Exhausting. It feels like my baby is glued to me 24/7. At times, I forget that I need to put myself first. My partner, Jake, might never want to see my chest again. My little one wriggles around like a toddler with a candy bar, and when Jake asked if I was giving her strawberry milk, I snapped back, “No, that’s blood. From my sore nipples.” She won’t sleep more than 15 minutes unless she’s on my chest, and let’s just say, her gas could clear a room. My emotions are all over the place. I’ve cried because I finally managed to take a shower (and I loathe showers), then I sobbed again when I caught a whiff of breakfast lingering around. What is happening to me?
But then, she’ll give me this wild look, or Jake will rush to her side when she cries, or my older child, Mia, will shower her with kisses out of nowhere. In those fleeting moments, I realize my sense of self has vanished, and this little one has taken over my world.
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