happy baby feeding month!

Hello Friends! Sorry for the lack of posts- this summer has been non-stop, and while it's been loads of fun.. I'm kind of looking forward to school starting up in a couple of weeks, if I'm being completely honest. When I tell you I've had always one but usually three children by my side 24 hours a day for the past 7 weeks, even in the bathroom (and even when I attempt to take a shower)- I'm not lying. I'm pretty sure they are all mentally connected, because as soon as I get one settled, someone else desperately needs something, and on and on it goes until suddenly I look at the clock and it's 4:30 pm and I'm still trying to get some breakfast for myself. True story. Anyway, I've got so many pictures to share but I still need to upload them and obviously, I haven't had the time.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to make mention of the fact that it's National Breastfeeding Month because I've noticed that the topic can be a bit touchy. Personally, I think this should be re-named National Baby Feeding Month. I've known some moms who desperately wanted to breastfeed their babies, and for one reason or another- adoption, allergies, pain, and any of the other various feeding issues- could not. I have also witnessed mothers who chose to bottle-feed their babies get (passive-aggressively) shamed by breastfeeding mothers. My opinion is that there is no wrong way to feed your baby. However you do it is right for you, and right for your babe.

My journey happens to have been along the breastfeeding path. (I actually tried to supplement with formula for Dylan because of her gaining issues but she wouldn't go for it) So far, I have spent 44 months of my life breastfeeding my babies. Oliver weaned himself at 15 months, Peyton needed a little coaxing to wean at 23 months, and Dylan is at 6 months and counting.

My breastfeeding story is one that has included weeks (maybe even months?) of pain; several illnesses where I was not able to take medicine (including a kidney stone with no pain meds- and believe it when they say it's worse than childbirth); eliminating just about every food but water and bananas from my diet because of Peyton's food allergies (but hot damn I looked great ;) feeling that people were judging/angry about my feeding in public; and a total lack of child-free time- Dylan is a purist who will only take it straight from the source (no pumped milk for this little lady!) so it goes without saying that we're never too far from one another. This of course has led to my lack of "me" time, as I mentioned earlier.

Also, this is typically what breastfeeding a third child is like: on the go, in a hot car, in between bringing the older kids somewhere. Poor D!

But the very sweetest moments have trumped all of that; tiny ear imprints on my arm, the ability to comfort them after a fall or small injury, lots and lots of cuddles and one-on-one time.

This season of my life is really so short: Once it's over with Dylan- my last baby- it will be over for me forever. I'm positive I'll go through a period of great mourning- this has been such a wonderfully special time in my life, and I'm sure I will miss it so.

Happy Baby Feeding Month! 

Be proud of the awesome mom that you are!