[anatess]

FOR ANYBODY NURSING THEIR BABY... HURRAAAAYYYY FOR YOU!!! I have nothing but respect and admiration and hero-worship for you.

When I had my first baby, I would cry through breastfeeding - it hurt like the dickens at first (I didn't know what I was doing) and the baby was always hungry. I completely lost my sense of identity - I was nothing but a feeding machine. And everywhere we go, I can't just find an easy place to be private (try looking for a mother's lounge at Walmart or the McDonalds). I was on the verge of quitting the whole thing TONS of times. I've had mastitis, bleeding breasts, and almost got arrested in Hong Kong (it is illegal there to nurse in public). The only thing that kept me going was the ridiculous cost of formula and the steady encouragement of my husband. It wasn't until I was in my 3rd month of nursing that I finally "got the hang of it" and the trigger was my big brother (who I will always be very grateful for). We were on a 5 hour trip to the family Thanksgiving dinner. My brother and I carpooled. We stopped at the McDonald's and the baby was hungry. I put on my nursing "hide" and started to feed but the baby was crying because he was sweating - he was wearing thick clothes for winter. I tried my best to maneuver, already dreading the pain, already dreading the stares, and the baby wouldn't cooperate. I broke down and started crying. My husband tried his best to help me out but was at a loss on what to do. Until my brother finally got mad and said, what is your problem? Take that darned blanket off and feed your baby! I took the "hide" off, made myself comfortable and started feeding. Now, mind you, I have a nursing bra and nursing shirt on so there is no chance you can see breast, but you can see the baby's head and there is no question on what he is doing. The baby nursed happily, my husband finally settled into the feeding routine, I was at peace, and my brother went on to talk about something else like nothing major just happened. From that day on, I never had any problems feeding the baby anymore - I fed anywhere, anytime, as necessary (which is why I almost got arrested in Hong Kong). I nursed until the baby weaned himself off - about 18 months or so. And I nursed my 2nd born for about 20 months. The whole entire time, my wardrobe consists of nursing shirts, nursing bra, and nursing garments, sometimes I use the "hide", sometimes I don't. My 2nd born is now 5. I still have the nursing shirts hanging in my closet. I kept it to look at for when sometimes I feel like a failure - I would go look at those shirts and it immediately picks me up, just knowing that I accomplished THAT!

Now, for you people out there giving RESPONSIBLE nursing mothers more roadblocks for nursing babies. Boo to you. It is hard enough to keep with the program without you making it harder.