 Today’s post is short and to the point. This letter was inspired by four strong mamas
that have come through our classes recently. They are having the type of breastfeeding
complications that can very understandably make people give up on breastfeeding…for
their specific stories check back on Friday. They have persevered through some incredibly tough breastfeeding
situations and they have raised my level of amazement in human nature. It’s easy to make the commitment to
breastfeed when it works – it is another thing entirely to feed your baby
breastmilk via pumps and bottles, and keep it up for weeks and weeks, not
knowing if this is going to be your “new normal”. I also want to put my Bradley Method® teacher hat on and
state each family needs to evaluate their situation and decide which path is
right for them. This is not a judgment
on parents who choose to formula-feed – they have their reasons and that
decision is right for them. My goal with
this post is to encourage the families who want to breastfeed because that is
the choice they want for their family, and let them know that other people have been in a
tough place and made the choice work for them. To our incredible students, here what I imagine your baby
would like to say to you: Dear Mommy, Thank you for giving me your breastmilk. It means so much to me that I am growing and
thriving thanks to that warm, white, ever-so-yummy liquid perfection from your
body to mine. I am so grateful that you are pumping to feed me. My tummy likes the texture. My gut likes the way it’s digested. My immune system appreciates the extra
boost. My brain likes the way it gets to
grow. My heart likes the way it makes me
feel. I know I fuss when I am at the breast sometimes, and I am
sorry I am giving you a mixed signal. I
love it when you hold me close. I love
the warmth of your breast. I love the
smell of your skin. I am just as
frustrated as you are that we cannot seem to be “doing the dance” in sync right
now. I know it must be exasperating to take me to one appointment
after another and not get the answers you need to hear. I appreciate that you take the time to dress
me up and take me out anyway – I know you believe in us. I trust that you will persist until we find
the answers that we need to nurse together the way we both want to. I won’t give up on you. Please don’t give up on me. I also know you are working hard - you don't get to fall asleep right after you feed me. You have to wash and sterilize and set up for the next time you are going to pump. I know you are tired and still you persist. Please continue to pump to feed me. And even though I can’t imagine how devastating
it is to know it’s not enough to nourish me, please, please, keep putting me to
the breast. Even though you don’t feel
like it’s getting us anywhere, I treasure that extra closeness and the time
next to your sweet skin.  I love you mommy. I
am so grateful you were chosen to be my mamma.
I will never be able to thank you enough for persisting through this
rough patch to give me my unique milk and offer me the opportunity to receive
nature’s perfect gift – the milk you are making just for me.With much love and appreciation, Your Sweet Pea Disclaimer: The
material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
