A Lifelong Bond: Sonia’s Breastfeeding Journey

A Lifelong Bond: Sonia's Breastfeeding Journey

I never knew anyone growing up who breastfed their baby – my whole life I had only heard about babies getting bottles. When I learned that breastfeeding was possible, I knew right away that I wanted to try. My goal at first was 6 months, then it became a year, and now my daughter is almost 23 months and we’re still going!

While it was wonderful that my baby latched right after my unplanned C-section, the rest of the journey wasn’t easy at first – she wasn’t gaining enough weight so we had to triple feed which meant I would nurse her, pump, then give her a bottle of breastmilk or formula. I had been given some bad advice by a lactation consultant at the hospital that lowered my milk supply. My nipples were cracked, bleeding, and dry, every time I pumped it hurt, and my wrists were aching from holding her head up while I nursed her.
 
I met with a few IBCLCs from My Pure Delivery and it was life-changing. They taught me how to take care of my nipples, they measured my nipples and I learned I was using the wrong flange size, they showed me how to help my baby have a bigger,
better latch, and they helped me with positioning her so my wrists wouldn’t hurt so much. Because of them what started out as difficult became second-nature, comforting, and a wonderful nursing relationship!
 
I went to Breastfeeding Support Group first in-person, then virtually during the pandemic, and it has been a total lifeline for me. I’ve learned (and continue to learn!) so much about breastfeeding and babies/toddlers in general, and on my hard days I don’t feel so alone because of the incredible friends I’ve made in support group.
 
I love nursing so much. Most of the time, when my daughter needs me, it’s actually me that needs her. The confidence I have knowing I can feed my baby is indescribable, and the bond we’ve created as a result I know will be lifelong.
~Sonia

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