We are done

Hey Girls well I did it, we are done. I can't believe it. I am so happy for us and sad at the same time. For those who are just starting I will start from the beginning.....


My girls were born at 33weeks 6 days. I had told the NICU doctors from the beginning that I would be breastfeeding and that under no circumstances were my girls to get bottles. They were fine with that until they were ready to send them home. They wanted the girls nursing atleast 6 times per day for 10 minutes each time before they would even consider letting me take them home. They wanted me to give bottles for the other couple of feedings that I couldn't be there. Keep in mind I was recovering from a c section, and had a 3 year old at home that hadn't had her mom in in two months due to bedrest. The NICU docs told me I would have to be there for 6 feedings. It was rough but with good friends, husband and family I was able to do it. The girls came home, nursing exclusively.

The first nursing at home I couldn't get Payton to latch on. I was so scared she missed the feeding. I called the NICU nurses. We did the nipple shields for a while then lost those. I was so tired in those first couple of weeks I barely remember any of it. The roughest time was around 8 weeks. Taylor started with the reflux. She cried constantly, pulled away from breast and would not eat. She would not gain weight. My dh pushed, and pushed and pushed to give formula. I refused. My MIL, Mother all pushed formula. I kept insisting formula would only upset her tummy more.

Finally we got into see a specialist and got on the right meds. I am CERTAIN that I would have given up if it wasn't for all the great ladies here on this board. I LOVE all of you! and thank you so much for my success. Once my girls hit 3 months it did get easier. However, I stopped tandem feedings at that time and went to single feeding the girls. It was much better for Taylor if I laid down and did the feedings. For the next 6 months I did all of my breast feeding laying down. I actually felt uncomfortable and weird doing it any other way. We found what worked and stuck with it.

Once things got easier it just became routine. I pumped while I was away from the girls 2 days a week and nursed exclusively. The girls had feeding trouble with solids in the beginning but finally caught on once they were about a year old. They eat normally now. We slowly dropped feedings a couple of weeks at a time.

This has been a dream of mine to breastfeed for I don't know how long. For those of you who don't know my oldest dd is adopted and I did not get to breastfeed her. When I was pregnant with the girls I couldn't wait to experience this bond that I had read and heard so much about. When I told my dh and mom while I was pregnant that I planned on nursing for a year they both laughed and said I was so disgusting. I can't believe with no support in real life I made it as far as I did.

Right now I am so happy I experienced this and so sad at the same time. I enjoy the cuddle times with the girls. They are on the go so much that I don't get much of that unless we were nursing. It seemed like when I sat down to nurse Taylor tonight that she knew. She seemed to nurse for a long time. Looking and me the whole time and just stroking my chest. :cray: Payton did the same. I am so proud of myself for making it this far. It is a huge accomplishment.

So for everyone just starting out you can do it. You can make it! Just make small goals and come here for support. These ladies offer a wealth of knowledge that surpass any book or google search you can do. Thanks for helping me acheive something I never thought was possible. And thank you for encouraging me to nurse past one year when my DH continuously called it disgusting. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! :bow2:

Here are some pictures of our last time :cray:

Taylor

Payton

 

Your post made me cry! Isn't nursing your babies the sweetest thing in the world? I know the bond you've experienced with your girls outweighed all the negative things your family could have thrown at you. Good for you and congrats on going over a year! The twins will be my last babies and I can't imagine the last time we nurse. I'll be a wreck; I've currently been pregnant or breastfeeding someone for over 4 years!

Hurray for you and happy tears! What an inspiration to those just starting out!

 

Congratulations!!!

what a great accomplishment -- and with such adversity. I don't think I could have done 13 mos without the unweilding support of my hubby and family. cheers for you to stand with your conviction to bf with no supporters.

your bond with your kids is well established -- now thta you don't have the bf- experience, you are much more in tuned with your kids and that's a special bond that sticks with you well beyond the bf-time.

Teri D

 

thank you for sharing your story its amazing!! I have major goosebumps



amanda

 

I think I need new laptop - my tears will probably cause this one to short out any moment! Bless you & your sweet girls!

 

:hug99: It sure is a bittersweet moment!! Thanks for sharing your story! I hope you also cut & pasted it up in our success stories! What an inspiration! I remember when your babies were just born! Congrats on nursing them so long! Good luck with the weaning process! I was good for a few days and then wham! Full! Rememeber to express/pump some out when/if it gets real uncomfortable! Congratulations on nursing them this long without the support!

 

BOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm nursing one of mine as I read this and can't stop crying!!! That was so beautiful.

 

You are such an amazing, dedicated mom! I'm amazed at all you overcame to BF your girls. I'm so happy for you. Please keep coming here to give the rest of us advice and encouragement!

Reyna

 

oh melissa! congrats on sticking with it for as long as you did! you are a true inspiration. i remember all the challenges you shared with us, and we are all so proud of your strength and perseverence. your girls have a wonderful role model.

 

Melissa, thanks for your wonderful post and for sharing those beautiful photos of you with your girls! You are making me teary-eyed over here! :cray: You are a such a strong, determined person and it's amazing that were able to nurse this long despite many obstacles. Especially making it to toddlerhood with a DH who was not supportive. It's an awesome testimony to your character and you should be very, very proud!! :Clap:

Michelle

 

Great job momma!!! and I love the pics, such good memories for you.

 

You are an awesome mother! Thanks for sharing such an encouraging story. Just beautiful!!!

 

Melissa,
I loved reading your story. You are an amazing woman to breastfeed despite the lack of family support. Let us know how the weaning goes. And also, how di dyou nightwean? Were you one of the lucky few who didn't have a problem with that?

I LOVED the pictures. What a great idea to take last nursing pictures.


Stacy

 

Wow, your story is just amazing. I'm so happy for you that you managed to nurse with great success despite the NICU and reflux and family members' terrible attitudes. The pictures are just beautiful (and so are the babies, of course!). WTG mama! You have given your girls a wonderful gift.

 

...more tears here too.

what lucky little ones to have a mom who fought so hard to have them breastfeeding. good on you and congratulations for going this long in the face of so much pressure (I remember your DH posts).

good luck with the next phase
lisa

 

What a story, thank you so much for sharing! Congratulations on making it that far, especially with no support from home, wow. :clapping: :yahoo: