Sunday, February 22, 2015

Surprise Baby – Elizabeth and Poppy


 
My third breastfeeding journey began more than three years ago with the birth of our third, surprise baby, Poppy Elizabeth. I thought my nursing days were over, but with her birth I was able to fulfill my nursing goals and heal some old wounds.

I consider both of my older children’s nursing relationships successful, as we did the best we could with the circumstances we were handed. My now 16 year old son breastfed until he was 6 months old, my 10 year old son only for 2 months. When Poppy came along, I was determined that with a better support system, and more education about breastfeeding, we would meet our goals.

What a relief it was when she latched beautifully for the first time, shortly after birth. First hurdle overcome! She was happy to stay latched nearly constantly for the first two days, and I quickly learned her “nah” cry for when she wanted to nurse. She made it so easy for me to know when she wanted the breast, and when it was another need. My milk came in at less than 48 hours old, and I felt that familiar sensation of my letdown. Another hurdle, overcome! I was feeling confident and she was settling in nicely. 

 
When Poppy was 11 days old, my husband had to return to work. He was out of town for one to three weeks at a time for her first two years.  She was so different than my other two kids, who were easy going and happy babies. She was, for lack of a better word, needy. I learned through my research while scouring the internet during those marathon nursing sessions in her early days, that she fit all the characteristics of Dr. Sears’ High Needs Baby. So we nursed and snuggled, bounced and sang, nursed some more, cried together, and comforted as best we could. She wasn’t an easy infant, and what worked for us one day would be ineffective the next. But the one constant we had was breastfeeding. My baby loved to nurse! Every 20-60 minutes around the clock for what felt like forever. But it’s what she needed, so it’s what we did.

We watched as our needy baby slowly developed into a confident, smart, hilarious, spunky toddler who still loves her “muckies.” She’s had three birthdays now, and breastfeeding is still a significant part of our relationship. Of course it’s different than it was when she was a tiny helpless being who depended on us for everything, but important nonetheless!  In the last months, I’ve taken to slowing down again, taking in every detail of her face, her hands, her conversation while we’re nursing. My heart knows that one day it’ll be the last, and I might not even know it. I cherish these moments, and am so thankful we’ve been on this journey together.

1 comment:

  1. I had an experience that was almost like yours. My first two struggled to nurse and then the third one had no trouble at all. He nursed for quite a long while. It did a great deal of healing my disappointment with the older two. I was able to nurse him for a few years.

    Candace Hudson @ MedCare Pediatric

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