The first major challenge I experienced as a new mother was learning the ropes of breastfeeding. My daughter was born 3 weeks early and was not a very strong nurser. She also has a tongue and lip tie which made it hard for her to get a good latch. Luckily I had a good supply from the beginning and between her nursing and supplemental bottles of breast milk, I have been able to avoid giving my daughter formula, which has been a major personal goal of mine.
Eventually, the nursing sessions happened less and less and she was given more bottles of breast milk. This really upset me at first, because I wanted to have an exclusive nursing relationship, but she just couldn’t enough milk while nursing, and the daily struggle was taking a toll on my mental and emotional health. Bottle feeding my daughter for the majority of the day proved to be the best move for our family and made for a much happier baby.
The following Haiku are based on my experiences throughout my breastfeeding journey. My daughter is currently 5 ½ months and I know I still have a whole half-year to get through, but writing these Haiku have been a sort of therapy for me, and I am now excited to continue breastfeeding. I know my goal of a year is possible!
I hope those reading this who breastfeed their babies will be able to relate to the moments-good and bad-mentioned in these poems.
What are some breastfeeding topics you would add to the list?
Breastfeeding is hard
But it is the best for her
So I will nurse on!
Nipple pain for days
How will I survive?
"You smell good," I'm told
"It's Eau de Breast milk..." I say
"...would you like a spritz?"
Two o’clock-am
Baby cries for Mama's milk
I stumble from bed
When she falls asleep
After a nursing session
I feel complete
Made it three whole months
Now onto my goal of six
After that, a year!
Nursing on the couch
She pauses and looks at me
A treasured moment
Seedy breast milk poop
Exploding up baby’s back
Nursing in public
Suddenly all eyes on me
They don’t understand
Pump at 3 am
Must maintain my milk supply
Even though she sleeps
Nursing cravings ruin
My plans to lose baby weight
More of me to love
More of me to love
Engorged and in pain
Looking for a place to nurse
I may spring a leak!
Pumping while at work
Not as easy as it sounds
I can do it all
8 ounces of milk
Spilled on the kitchen counter
An exclusively
Breastfed baby doesn’t mean
I can’t use bottles
When I want to quit
I look at my little girl
She deserves the best
She deserves the best
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