Patricia's Breastfeeding Journey

Hello mommies!!

My name is Patricia and I'm a 24 year old single mom to an energetic, beautiful and happy baby boy Neko! I would like to tell my story of how we've made it to 9 months of EBF with no supplementing, I'm an attachment parenting and co-sleeping mama and hope this helps even at least one single mother or even a married mother who may have reservations for breastfeeding or want to discontinue!

Let me start by saying it's been a hell of a road. Since I was pregnant last year I've had to overcome many hurdles. Taking care of my son solely by myself is hard. His father is not involved by any means, my own family hasn't given the support I've needed mentally and I've only been able to count on 3 close friends to make it this far, even to this day it's still the same! Breastfeeding can be draining too. There have been maaaany people who have tried to talk me out of breastfeeding and even now because he's almost 1 and "should be drinking juice and cow’s milk" "breastfeeding is an inconvenience is much easier to just prop a bottle up so I can get stuff done" or the one I hate most "I couldn't breast feed. I don't want my titties to get saggy" REALLY!? You're 'titties' will be sagging well into your late forties any damn way! I ignored all those comments and just stuck with my decision to breast feed.

When I saw my son for the first time it just felt natural. I produced milk to feed and nurture MY baby. It's just amazing!! The first 6 weeks were extremely hard between growth spurts, lack of sleep and support and not knowing how much I could take but, if it were not for Dominique Gallo who I've known for 14 years, my other 2 close friends and 2 breast feeding groups I wouldn't have overcame that hurdle. I've been through the stares of random on lookers to my own family telling me I need to use a cover even when you see no nipple or the skin of my breast. 

Many don't agree with attachment parenting (always carrying baby even when it's just crying to be picked up) but my son is HAPPY and HEALTHY! He's more independent now an only cries when he's sleepy. Co sleeping is a breeze! Imagine having to wake up to a screaming baby in the middle of the night, your spouse too lazy or tired to get up and get a  bottle ready (or even if you're a single mom), with breastfeeding you can sleep bare from the top and roll over an give baby a breast and you both fall right back asleep! It's super safe! So please don't let uneducated old school or even people who simply don't agree because it interferes in their sex time tell you none of this is a good idea. I can promise you its well worth it!  It's a challenge that not many moms are up for. Whether it is like me which is lack of support, scared you may not be able to handle it or produce enough, think it may take too much... Listen if no one has your back in this. WE DO. If you're unfamiliar with breastfeeding and all that it entails WE can teach you or route you to someone who's more educated in lactation , if you think your breast will sag THEY WILL WHEN YOU'RE OLD ANYWAYS feed that baby them yummy chocolate Milkies! Lol. 

Baby Neko, 9 months

Whatever fears you have we all will do our absolute best to help you overcome them. It's been the most amazing bond and I've accomplished a lot being his mom. He chose ME. So why wouldn't I give him all of me? My milk has produced a happy child who's now 9 months and 20 pounds and 27 1/2 inches! Now the height comes from my family but still! Haha. It's sooo worth it mommy! You can do it! Not every moms experience will be the same but we all support each other's struggles, choice and baby. You've got this and we got your back.  :-)

Thank you for sharing your story with us Patricia!