Goals
Michelle Kruse
Bedford VA USA
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 6, November-December 2002, pp. 215
When I became pregnant with
my twins I didn't give much thought to how I would feed them. I figured
I would give breastfeeding a try and if it didn't work there was always
formula, which I thought would be just as good. The cost of formula
wasn't an issue because we were on the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
Program, which provides some formula for free. I didn't talk to anyone
or read anything about breastfeeding. I mean, how hard could it be?
Well, I breastfed the twins
for five weeks. During that time I had mastitis, a bad case of thrush,
and relatives visiting. My father thought formula was an excellent way
to nourish my babies. He saw his "little girl" in a lot of
pain from the thrush. He went out to buy some presents for his new grandchildren
and bottles were among the gifts. Needless to say, I was completely
unprepared and I turned to bottle-feeding.
When I found out I was pregnant
two-and-a-half years later, I decided that I would give breastfeeding
another go. This time I read anything and everything I could on the
subject. I even planned on attending La Leche League Group meetings
before the birth. However, at 25 weeks I had to go on bed rest because
of premature labor. Boy, did I have a lot of time to catch up on my
reading and really think about what would be best for my new baby! My
breastfeeding goal was to nurse longer than I had with the twins and
I hoped I could make it to at least four months.
At 36 weeks, my water broke
and just four hours after that my precious son was born. We were both
sleepy from pain medications, but we did try to nurse right after his
birth. He latched on well but soon fell asleep. Once we came home I
encouraged Sean to nurse every hour-and-a-half to build up my milk supply.
I took naps with Sean and carried him in a sling. Luckily, my husband
and three-and-a-half-year-old twins are very supportive! In one month
Sean gained four pounds!
I began to really see our
breastfeeding relationship as more than just nourishment! I attended
La Leche League Group meetings regularly. It is wonderful to be around
other women who share similar parenting views. Each month I watch Sean
become a chubby, healthy, happy breastfed baby. Each month my goals
for breastfeeding evolve.
Sean is now eight months
old. He is 22 pounds and has never had a drop of formula. My latest
goal is to continue to nurse him as long as he wants.
When I gaze down at Sean
while he nurses, our fingers entwined, I am sorry I missed out on these
special moments with my twins. I know I did the best I could then, and
they received my love in other ways. I also know I will cherish these
nursing moments with Sean forever.
Last updated Friday, October 27, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:52 UTC 2007.
