Although it will be challenging, the kids will undoubtedly make the mother happy.
It is important to respect the individual breastfeeding journey of each woman. Any mother who has breastfed her child for a protracted amount of time feels emotional, regardless of how she has navigated her path. Some mothers savor this moment while others fight it. There are many challenges, but the benefits far outweigh the hardships. This young mother’s SMS message to us explains everything.
Since the first time I learned I was pregnant, I’ve always wanted to breastfeed. I’ve always encouraged myself to give it my all and if it doesn’t work, that’s okay because I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself and go into a bad frame of mind. I really believe that nursing, whether from the breast or a bottle, is best.
Never in a million years did I think we would make it this far. 355 days of nursing my girls, exclusively and tandem. Never did I think I would be able to breastfeed twins, but here we are, almost 12 months later and counting.
The girls’ birthday is looming, and I don’t know how long we will continue; we’ll make that decision together. But what I do know is that it’s taken a lot of dedication, patience, and perseverance, but we’ve made it this far and are still going strong.
We so easily body shame ourselves rather than praising ourselves. I am so proud, amazed, and thankful that my body was able to carry, deliver, and provide for three babies. The sleepless nights, clusterfeeding, and only being away from them for more than 3 hours maybe a handful of times in the last year – it’s all been a sacrifice, but it’s been so worth it. I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.
It’s getting more difficult now that the girls are getting bigger. They are starting to crawl, climb, and poke each other while feeding, but then there are those moments where they grab each other’s hand or something makes the two of them laugh, and they look at each other and smile, and it’s a moment the three of us share that my heart can barely handle.
My body may not have been my own for the last year, but I have never felt stronger or more at peace with who I’ve become as a person. It hasn’t been easy, and it’s not for everyone, but it’s what worked for us.”
