Seven months... I can hardly believe it!
If you ask my lactation guru, she would probably just smile, shake her head, and gently say, "why so surprised? Your body knows exactly what to do!"
So why am I so in awe of this breastfeeding journey?
To the nurse who did not allow skin to skin for my first birth, I forgive you.
To the nurse who ignored the ticked "breastfeeding" and "no pacifier" boxes for my first born, I forgive you.
To the nurse who bottle fed my first child in the nursery when I was in recovery from an emergency cesarean, and daddy needed sleep after 3 days of labor, I forgive you.
To the hospital lactation specialist who didn't show up to help my struggle with latching for 2 days after birth of my first born, I forgive you.
To all the staff of my first born, who looked at me like breastfeeding is just something mothers are supposed to KNOW how to do, I forgive you.
To myself for the shame and guilt I felt for only being able to pump for one month for my first born, I forgive you.
To my doula for my second birth who advocated breastfeeding for me in the hospital, I thank you.
To my friend and calm birth doula for my second birth who helped me heal from past guilt and connect better mentally with baby, I thank you.
To my midwife and labor and delivery nurse who gave skin to skin with my second birth after cesarean, I thank you.
To my labor and delivery nurse who helped latch my second baby, I thank you.
To the mom and baby nursing staff of my second birth who were ALL qualified in lactation, I thank you.
To the friend I called panicking after we arrived home because of latching issues, and she came right over, I thank you.
To my lactation specialist of our second child, who continues to provide support in every way, I thank you.
To my husband who supports this journey for our second baby and continues to give me strength when it gets rough, I thank you.
To my family who never pressures and knows when I seek quiet, alone time to nurse and connect with my baby when she gets distracted, I thank you.
To my body... for the ability to feed my baby, through the under supply, over supply, fluctuating days, nursing strikes, nursing comforts, waking during the night to pump, always watching what I eat...I thank you.
To my experiences that shaped me into becoming a doula, I thank you.
For the mamas who know what I'm talking about...I see you.
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