Thursday, May 29, 2008

Free at Last - in a Manner of Speaking

Freedom at last!!!! How does one begin to describe the love-hate relationship of breastfeeding? On the one hand, your body has already played 'host' for nine months to another being and then for a year after you become the 'snack bar', pacifier and chew toy. On the other hand, there were the wonders of life with in, the joys of physically nurturing another being and the sweet quiet moments of cuddling intimately as only a mother and child can. While a part of me mourns the loss of it, a greater part cannot help do a 'Mary Poppins' leap for joy! My son is growing up and will be a year old in 5 days. His dependance on me lessens as time goes and I take joy in his growth and quietly hold to the memories of his younger days. In the meantime I celebrate my small measure of freedom - no more aches, lumps, blisters and leaks ... until the next one!

3 comments:

  1. Well said. Breastfeeding was actually a pretty unpleasant experience all the way around for me. I stuck with it till about 8 or 9 months, so I'm impressed you persevered for the full 12! I felt guilty and confused for a long time that I dreaded breastfeeding, so I always appreciate it when another mom identifies with that, like you said, "love-hate" relationship. I was very happy to wean my sons-- especially since they both got a lot of teeth around our weaning time and weren't afraid to use them... ;)

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  2. As much as I am grateful that I am able to nurse my children, I never fully felt like myself until I stopped. Don't you just feel like a new woman?!?

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  3. Amen, and amen and AMEN. On and off he still pulls at my shirt, reaching for what he can't have. That's when I say, "It's mine! .... ALL MINE!" Glad to know I'm not alone.

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