Breastfeeding Success!! ~ Angela's story

When I had my first daughter, I was 18 years old and didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. When my male doctor asked me if I was going to bottle feed or breastfeed, I turned bright red and said immediately "bottle feed." I have regretted that to this day.

When I got pregnant with my son, I thought long and hard about it. I had a different doctor who encouraged me to consider breastfeeding. He had to be in an isolette when he was first born, but the nurses assured me that I could still nurse. They were wonderful about teaching me the different positions, and helping me not be so nervous. He was good at latching on, and once I learned how to relax and let my milk down, we were pros. My husband was horrified by the pain I endured that first week, getting my breasts used to my son, but he was so happy nursing, and I knew it was good for him. A visiting nurse came to my house and told me things I could do, and encouraged me to stay at it. I did. When my son was six months old, I decided I needed birth control, and started on the pill. My doctor didn't tell me that it could affect my milk, so when I started losing my supply, I didn't know why, and gave up. I had no idea that relactating was a possiblity. But we had six months in, and I was happy that we had.

When I had my next son, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. He was a champ too. I nursed him until he was 14 months old, and we were both pretty tired of it.

Yesterday, I found out I am pregnant again. Yes, I am going to breastfeed as long as this baby and I want. My sons are so healthy and happy. The feeling of holding those babies close and giving them what they need to make them healthy, and seeing their eyes gaze up at me in love, makes me know in my heart that breastfeeding is best.

I encourage every expectant mother to breastfeed, and proudly tell them my success stories. The only problem I ever had was pumping, and I plan to solve that this time around with the help of the right pump.