world breastfeeding week

Some of you may know that I breastfeed Carissa. You may also know that I did not breastfeed Robert. I can try every excuse in the book as to why I didn't with Robert. It hurt, he wasn't latching, he didn't get it, blah blah blah. Truth be told, it was hard and I gave up. I pumped...kinda, for about three weeks. That was that. I always felt a pang of guilt, giving Robert formula. I am in no way preaching, saying that formula is "bad" but I always kind of felt like crap giving him a bottle in public. I'm weird.

Then came Carissa...oh my sweet, sweet girl. I told myself and Eric from the beginning that I was going to breastfeed her. I think Eric just went along with me, thinking, 'suuuuuure you will.' While I was pregnant, I bought nursing bras, a breastpump, nursing tanks. What I did NOT buy were bottles. OR formula.

The evening that Carissa made her way into the world is one that I will never forget. I will one day post my birth story, but for now all I can say is that when she was finally brought to me to cuddle, I put her to my breast and OMG, she did it. She latched on! She was a pro from the start!

I have friends and know many people that have had so much trouble with breastfeeding. With Mastitis, or tounge tie, with family members not agreeing with their decision...and they keep going. It makes me sad that I didn't try harder with Robert, but SO proud that Carissa will be TEN months old tomorrow and we are still going strong. I like to say that Carissa taught me what to do. I was clueless. She was a natural.

I won't post any pictures of myself actually feeding her, but I will say that it is such a beautiful bonding experience. From the very beginning, she would look up and me with her big blue eyes, and I would know that she knew who I was. Who I am. Her mom. I am doing the most natural, wonderful thing for my child and I love every minute of it.

I will probably wean her within the next five-six months, and that's okay. I never planned to nurse a four year old! So, with this week being world breastfeeding week I figured I would share my story.