Why I breastfed.....

How are you celebrating Canada's World Breastfeeding week?  Did you know that Canada celebrates World Breastfeeding Week each year on October 1st - 7th? To honour the first day of Canada's World Breastfeeding Week and also interestingly the anniversary of my own journey as a breastfeeding mother here is my list of why I breastfed:

• I wanted my breasts to be more than just objects
• It was EMPOWERING
• It was a natural progression from belly to world for my babies
• It was healthy (for baby and me)
• I was told I might not be able to do it and that did not sit well with me
• I was not going to be a statistic on the those who tried list (although I did join that list for a short time)
• It felt right
• I felt a connection to the women who mothered generations before me
• It grounded me
• It brought me joy
• It helped my son stay out of the hospital and off medications for his kidney
• It made the connection with my children easier and the effects still last today
• I was pig headed
• It grew on me
• and the list can go on.....................

More than a few years ago this day, October 1st, signified the end of my first 24 hours I spent as a breastfeeding mother.   I know that it is not always a life changing event for each and every woman but much of who I am as a mother started with my first latching of my newborn son.  It wasn't the easiest journey and in fact it ended almost as quickly as it began when I weaned him at 5 days old but it was defining and set the tone for my parenting since. 



Seamus nursing at 4 months in Dominican Republic after I re lactated and we started nursing again