" I would dread get to see my bankruptcy in a bottle . "
To celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week, weaskedBlack women to tell us about their breastfeeding journey, which includes those who decided to do so and those who decided against it.
The special week, which runs during National Breastfeeding Month, highlights the beauty and challenges that arise when breastfeeding is discussed and/or performed.
Here are a few honest, real-life stories:
Please recall we are not here to pass judgment . The choice to breastfeed is YOURS and only yours . No one should ever be made to feel bad because they would n’t or could n’t wet-nurse .
1.
" Breastfeeding has been a line of work , but my favored one . My son was born with lip and tongue standoff that we did n’t have released until he was 5 months old . So , that meant , for five months , I was breastfeeding and pumping to verify he catch enough milk , and my poor nipple wereTORE UP FROM THE FLOOR UP ! They were crack , teetotal , and stung . My son is 14 months now — I ’m still suck , and I do it IT ! I literally sense my energy change when he incur on the breast , and I immediately get glad . I plan to have at least three more kids ; God willing , I ’ll breastfeed all of them , too . "
— jasminep49f93c188
2.
" breast feeding aversion was a great rationality to stop . Also , the changes in the breast , which are often permanent if you do it for long enough , work mayhem on any kind of body image issue or dysmorphia you may have . unluckily , no one really talks about these thing . The general conversations around breastfeeding are very airfoil - degree , word salads . They ’re also not that inclusive ; the face of breastfeeding is typically a white stay - at - home mom . "
— laughingkid87
3.
" I did n’t with my first because I was shamed . I had to stop with my second because her tongue tie reconnected after being reduce , and it was too painful . "
— craftqueen
4.
" I am still breastfeeding my almost-2 - year - old girl . She ’s weaning herself and only comfort nurses now . I contend to pump enough milk for almost two years , but recently , she has n’t necessitate daytime milk while I ’m work , so I do n’t have to pump anymore!My fellowship never breastfed their child , so they do n’t understand why I ’m not weaning her yet . IDGAF . I have such a skinny bond with my daughter , and although I require to be done , I ’m not forcing it . "
— thelivingworst
5.
" I did not wet-nurse because my nipples have been [ used as ] arousal for intimate pleasure , soI would not have my baby breastfeed knowing my husband kisses me there to get me aroused ! "
— fiercepenguin50
6.
" I planned on suck our baby for a few months . It turned into 14 months , and I honestly do n’t know how . I always accent about how much I was producing , which caused my product to go down , and then I would continue to stress even more . I would dread having to see my nonstarter in a bottle . It did n’t help that my sister was just naturally modest , so my mamma would be like , ' Give her some grain with that milk ; it ’s not enough ! ' I would hear this all the clock time even when I was overproducing — ' Put some rule in the bottle with the Milk River , and it will bulk her out , ' and ' Are you sure you are producing enough ? '
Some random madam at Starbucks said to me , ' Wow , my baby is doubly her size , and she ’s already 1 . ' I restrict myself from slap her into next week because my child was present . There was pressure everywhere , but I can say this : My child was always felicitous , clear - minded , and NEVER baffle sick ! I do n’t rue the tenseness or the prison term I had with my daughter during that first year of her life . "
— Anonymous
7.
" I hate seeing statistics stating dim woman do n’t breastfeed ! We unquestionably do ! I wish people would realize [ the story behind mordant char and breastfeeding ] . Black women were forced to breastfeed the tike of slave possessor . My breastfeed experience was sturdy , and it is literally a full - prison term job , but my little one was deserving all of it . I proudly let masses love I breastfed until [ my tiddler was ] 2 . "
8.
" When I was pregnant , I was very excited about suckle . What I did n’t know was that because my pap were inverted , it would be a sore experience . I tried for two calendar month , but my breast shed blood a lot , and each meter I fed my newborn infant , he was get bloody titty Milk River . I decided to pump alternatively , which did not help oneself me at all . I intercept breastfeeding and started my Logos on soy rule . I matt-up really guilty about stopping , but the tenseness from the pain and bleeding was worse overall . If a cleaning woman can suck with minimal problem , it ’s a tremendous way to go for your newborn . "
9.
" I breastfed my first boy for the first 18 month in 2012 . He savor it , but I did n’t so much . I did n’t know how to stop the Milk River stream , so I let him latch until I dry up . He is now 12 with groovy health , and he ’s exceptional in his academics . In 2020 I had another son , and I breastfed him for three months . I was able-bodied to store a class ’s worth of breast milk for him . He is very well-informed ; however , being in daycare , he does get sick often . Now , in 2024 , I just had my baby young woman , and only three ounces of titty Milk River were acquire within my two - hebdomad exercise . I gave up because she did n’t latch on and I was not producing any milk . If I get pregnant again , I would n’t even bother to breastfeed . It is a hassle , and it feels like you are on need even when you are tired and spent . "
10.
" I was surprised by how naturally breastfeeding came to me and my baby . I had read a draw of stories and article about women ’s trouble with latching , Milk River production , and botheration , so I sort of psyched myself out . My goal was to breastfeed for 12 months , at which point I began weaning him , and then one day he woke up and did n’t want me anymore . I end up having a love / hatred relationship with breastfeeding / pumping , so I was surprised at how sad I finger after it was over . I wish someone had warn me about how breastfeeding impingement your hormones . It took me a few months after weaning to jump to really find like myself again . "
11.
" My son is 14 months old now , and I know from the clock time I found out I was meaning I desire to exclusively breastfeed . I get TONS of support from my peer and familiarity with young kids because they also breastfed . But from my mammy and female parent - in - law , who did n’t wet-nurse , oh my goodness . My ma kept trying to make me buy formula because ' he was n’t getting enough ' from my breast . This was so discouraging to hear when I ’m a first - time mom , first - coevals breastfeeder , and seek to just figure this shit out . Every other second she was saying , ' I can go to the store and get him some formula , ' and no matter how many metre I say no , the hint would still come up . She had flown in to natter the day my Word was stand and planned to continue for a week . This nonsense started on daylight one . I ship her home early .
As soon as my son turn 1 , my mother - in - police chime in , saying it was ' time for him to get off that boob ! ' I ’m still give suck him at 14 months , and she ’ll say things to him like , ' Boy , you ’re not going to be 2 , 3 , or 4 years onetime still on that pinhead . You better get off ! ' Like , WTF is the rush ? My husband and I are in agreement that when my son decides he ’s done , he ’s done . Until then , I ’ll continue being my Logos ’s personal cow . "
12.
" Knowing that I ’m not naturally the most nurturing eccentric , I decided to breastfeed as a way to bond with my baby . I think it really helped . I always worked full - time , so dropping them off with my milk at day care , pumping on my breaks , and breast feeding at Nox felt like an of import way for me to try and connect with each minor . Plus , I always finger like that ’s what these udders were meant for , anyway ! My husband was fine with it ; no pressure either manner . He was happy that the kids were get something free and sizeable . My parents cerebrate it was too much strain on me , and if I was going to work , I should n’t have to exhaust myself breastfeeding , too . Three of my four kids are adult now , and I call back they see breastfeeding as good and raw but not necessary . "
13.
" My breastfeeding journey was met with openness . Before giving birth , I yield myself the flexibility to do it or not do it . The main finish was that as long as my baby was fed , that was the most important destination . My baby was born full full term but petite , almost weighing 5 pound . I cognize breastfeeding would provide the respectable nutrition for my baby and service with soldering , and that ’s why I desire to do it . We were assure to lactate and deputize formula in the beginning . So ab initio , we did both until both my babe and I contract the hang of it . rule and pumping come in ready to hand when my husband and I took early first light faulting , and I slept .
I highly urge using a Haakaa breast ticker and script - free pumps that can be inserted into your brassiere . The pumps give up me up from being a ball - and - chain to a chair . I was free to move and go anywhere alternatively of sit down , putting on a pumping brassiere , and waiting for time to pass . I hold a little past nine months , and my sister was ready to move on . I did fight with the common breast feeding woes in the beginning , but I had full support from my spouse and family . I also value the entropy that is out there now . I conceive my only complaint is with the hospital staff because the suckling consultants and nurses seemed to be on unlike pages . as luck would have it , on my last day at the hospital , the advisor was utile , kind , and thoughtful . "
We appreciate everyone who shared their experience with us!
