Nursing Mother Problems

While I really do LOVE  breastfeeding Madalynne, this had to be written.

I'm beyond grateful that my body and the babe have cooperated this long in our breastfeeding journey. She's such a nursing champ. However, there are a few things about nursing that drive me bat sh*t crazy.

Nursing mothers will know exactly what I'm talking about.

Before you leave the house, it is imperative that you check the nursing ability of EVERY outfit. If said outfit does not meet the necessary requirements, one must change. Pushing straps down. Pushing fabric out of the way. And still making sure you don't flash the ENTIRE world while trying to feed your tiny human. While still maintaining a bit of variety in your wardrobe. It's comical. Or sad. I'm not sure which, at this point.

While getting dressed, I attempt to wear clothing that contain the 'nursing knockers.' I try to be conscious that not everyone is quite as much of a fan of them as my husband. While they are great, it's really challenging to find clothes that fit right in the chest while not swimming on the rest of my body. Typically, when I get dressed in the morning, my top fits really well. It's not revealing, and everything is where it should be. As time passes since the last time the babe nursed, said 'knockers' get larger and larger. And said top becomes more and more slutty (please pardon my description....this is hilarious to me, but it's late (for me) and I'm having a hard time coming up with 'appropriate' words). It's just challenging. I've thought about just wearing Jon's t-shirts ALL the time until Madalynne is weened, but that seems a bit dramatic.

This one might be the most annoying of all. Madalynne has reached that age where she CAN'T miss anything. Heaven forbids something fascinating should happen during the 15 minutes it takes her to completely drain both sides. Oh no...she has to get let down started and unlatch 45 times during each feeding. I'm going through a lot of nursing pads. A lot. On a side note, Isaiah and Jayme find the 'let down shower' hilarious...which is, of course, not helping with the whole distraction thing.

Oh, and clogged ducts. If you were unaware of such a thing, let me inform you. It's AWFUL!!! I mean really horrible. I've gotten more than I can count this time around. It truly feels like she's trying to suck milk that resides in my feet. I'm not kidding...that's really what it feels like. And if I happen to leave the babe with someone, and need to pump, it's guaranteed that I will have a clogged duct for the next 3 days. Miserable. Luckily, not one of these clogged ducts has turned into mastitis.

This one is new to me...milk blisters, or blebs. That one is more painful than clogged ducts. It makes me want to cry just writing about it. So if you're super curious...Google it.

Anyway, this is what I have chosen to put up with to provide my baby with the best nutrition I can. I'm embracing it, laughing at it...and sometimes swearing at it. But, among its' many benefits, it's on tap, it's the perfect temperature, and it provides me a reason to sit and rock my baby sometimes 20 times a day. And I wouldn't have it any other way.