5 Reasons I Love & Hate Breastfeeding (Pros and Cons)

5 Reasons I Love & Hate Breastfeeding (Pros and Cons)

So, to commemorate our breastfeeding journey that is going on 14 months strong, I have compiled my list of 5 reasons it absolutely sucks…and why it’s also awesome, at the same time!

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It’s not an easy feat for any mother to accomplish-and many can’t, due to production issues and a variety of other causes. But, it did come somewhat naturally to us, for which I am very grateful. But that doesn’t mean I still can’t be frustrated from time to time. This brings us to our first reason…

Breastfeeding is Time Consuming…

Especially in the first few weeks (or even months!) when the baby is cluster feeding. You’re pretty much confined to one area for X amount of time. Some mothers are super-duper multitaskers and can do a lot of things while feeding, but I still can’t. Nope-when Baby wants to nurse, we sit down and make a meal out of it.

I learned early on if I tried walking through the store with him in a wrap, that boob was eventually going to come out, and then we have other issues, like for instance…

Leakage…

At first, if we didn’t nurse every two hours at the most, my shirt was soaked (if not squirting across the room with let-down). And every time we did nurse, I would have so much engorgement in the other breast, that ounces would be wasted on those nifty reusable pads that are an absolute must for every breastfeeding mother.

Bruce also has a habit of leaving the tap running if he pulls off quickly. But, there’s hope… a milk-saver is a lifesaver! You’re able to save all the let-down and use it for extra feedings, milk baths, or freezing. And it will save you from a wet top. I really loved the Milkies Milk-Saver for catching all the extra milk. It fit inside all my nursing bras, and bruce was able to get sometimes an extra 16 ounces by how much I was producing.

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It saved my laundry as well. For those times when we couldn’t use the Milk-Saver, we went with these awesome Organic Bamboo nursing pads-so absorbent, and the best part? Reusable!


Nursing bras are the worst

I have a very special hate for nursing bras. I always get mine tangled, the pads inside become wonky, and it’s usually a hassle for the less-coordinated like myself, to snap them back up very fast.

It’s hard to find cute ones (or maybe I’m just picky…actually, I know I’m picky) and they don’t always accommodate every outfit. It took a while but I did finally come across some that I can deal with. Removable pads, easy to breathe material, and the best part? Affordable!

Your body isn’t necessarily your own…

As I mentioned with the time consumption, be prepared that your breasts, aren’t really yours for a time-they belong to the baby. To be used whenever necessary, needed, wanted, or even just out of boredom.
Breastfed babies love their boobs! Naturally, they will want them a lot and when they do, you’ll know it. Sometimes even at the worst times. My son has tried pulling my top down in enough stores to confirm this.

Some people are NOT pro-breastfeeding…

It’s sad, but it is true. Yes, there are laws in place that allow you to feed anywhere, with or without a cover, but it’s still a pretty taboo thing in today’s society.
Nearly every day there is another report of a mother being shamed into a backroom, bathroom stall, or asked to leave an establishment entirely because she is trying to nurse her child. This makes most breastfeeding mothers anxious and angry, especially if like my child, their’s refuse to use a cover.
I’m the first to whip it out whenever necessary to provide sustenance for my child (my “give a f*ck list” is incredibly short), but that still doesn’t mean I’d like to try avoiding confrontation with the small-minded.
…but all these things aside, here are my top 5 reasons it’s also, like, the best thing ever…

You have downtime (and an excuse to excuse yourself)

The time you’ll spend lounging on the couch (or in bed) while nursing will give you ample time to catch up on social media, binge-watch youtube, or even read a book.
That’s after you’ve talked to your baby, sang to them, told all those stories you’ve been waiting to tell a little one since you learned you were pregnant. Whatever it takes to keep you from going stir-crazy while sitting in one spot. And in an awkward social situation, like visiting relatives, when you really want to get out of a conversation-the baby will magically need to nurse!

It helps you build a schedule

At least, it helped me. Even with cluster feeding, my son pretty much nursed about the same time throughout the day. So we got into a routine of nursing, napping, nursing, playing, nursing…you get the picture.
Especially with a newborn, everything about your life will begin to revolve around the baby and on his schedule. So let it help you rebuild yours.

Your boobs will look amazing!

If like me, you’ve been mostly small chested your whole life, you will love this phase of life where you look amazing in anything you wear (although you’ll probably go for breastfeeding-friendly clothes most of the time). It’s nature’s boob-job and so much more cost-efficient than a real one. Just enjoy them while they last…
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Your body is doing something incredible!

While your baby has pretty much taken it over since conception, keep in mind that what you’re doing while nursing is a pretty awesome thing. You’re providing the most nourishing, natural way for your child to grow and develop, and that’s a wonderful feat.
There are a lot of women who, biologically, just don’t have the means to produce (and really want to!) and here you are just doing it! Doing what women have done literally since the dawn of time, to ensure the survival of their offspring (in the days before formula).
Not to mention just how healthy breast milk is for your child, providing vitamins and nutrients still not synthetically developed or available in the formula. And you are bonding with your child like only you and your baby can. Cherish these times, if anything, for those who cannot.
And the number one reason (I think) that despite all the annoying inconveniences, breastfeeding is still the best thing ever…
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If you choose to breastfeed, you will find an overwhelming amount of support

Yes, there are always those people who will *try* to shame you and for some reason, don’t like to see it (or know that mothers do it), but there is actually a great support system surrounding breastfeeding. Entire groups and organizations built for the sole purpose of education, encouragement, and providing resources to help facilitate all your breastfeeding needs.
One of my personal favorites, with a local league in nearly every town, is the La Leche League. Just by talking to fellow mamas who are going down the same path in terms of feeding their baby, you can find a lot of great advice, and support amongst peers. Breastfeeding is becoming increasingly more accepted with all the awareness spread by these groups, and fellow mother’s as well.
This list was written with humor, but all joking aside-I’m not bashing formula (or tube) feeding in any way, shape, or form. But honestly, breastfeeding can suck. It can be tedious, annoying, inconvenient, frustrating, and downright a pain (and I haven’t even touched on sore, cracked, bleeding nipples, mastitis, or the disappointment of spilling 12 ounces of pumped milk that took an hour to get out).
But I believe it is worth all the tears to be able to provide what I feel is the best nutrition for my child and to take part in one of the best bonding experiences we were ever able to have together. The pros really do outweigh all the cons.
Do you agree with these lists? What are some of the downfalls (or upsides?) you have experienced as a nursing mom?
 5 Things I Love & Hate About Breastfeeding

 

Author: Jasmine

SAHM to one little boy, and wife to a former member of the USMC. I blog about parenting, relationships, brands I love, and product reviews!

2 thoughts on “5 Reasons I Love & Hate Breastfeeding (Pros and Cons)

  1. It’s definitely time consuming, which I did NOT enjoy, but I did love the fact that I had an excuse to sit and watch some TV!

  2. I totally agree with all of this! It is seriously the best thing I have ever done and as my journey ends I hope your continues!!

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