You Know You are Breastfeeding When…

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Before my son was born, I decided I was going to give breastfeeding a try. My goal was to make it to a year, but if that did not happen, fed baby was best and I was okay with that. I had this idea in my head that breastfeeding was going to be no big deal, just put boob in baby’s mouth, hook up to this pump thing, and that was that. After all, it was the natural thing to do, how hard could it be?

Boy, was I wrong! Not only is breastfeeding more difficult than I could have ever anticipated but there is so much that goes into it. After breastfeeding my son for 14 months (and still going!), I have become familiar with all the tell-tale signs of a breastfeeding mama.

You Know You are Breastfeeding When…

  • You would spend unlimited amounts of money for the services of a lovely lactation consultant if it meant you could nurse your baby without pain.
  • You avoid wearing certain clothes because in order to feed baby or pump it would mean getting naked.
  • You could drink the world’s water supply and still be dying of thirst.
  • You don’t just crave water, but food. It could be Thanksgiving every hour and you still would not be full.
  • You more often than not sleep with at least one boob out … or just skip the shirt altogether.
  • You fall asleep nursing your baby and wake up four hours later with baby still attached.
  • You throw the saying “don’t cry over spilt milk” out the window. When you spill milk or hear about someone else spilling milk you do not just cry, you sob!
  • There is food in your baby’s hair and stains on her shirt from YOUR previous meal.
  • You have mastered how to type on your laptop one handed.
  • Netflix binges and being a couch potato takes on a whole new meaning.
  • All the money you saved by breastfeeding has gone to your new online shopping addiction.
  • You have accidentally walked out to get the mail, answered the door, or gone to the leave the house with a boob out.
  • You look at a picture of your little one and you had wish you had worn nursing pads that day.
  • You have a drawer at work just for breastfeeding supplies (nipple cream, nursing pads, extra bottles, pump parts, breastmilk bags, towel for those devastating spills, nursing bra, spare power cord, and snacks … lots of snacks!).
  • You constantly keep an eye on the clock to check how long it has been between nursing/pumping sessions and then squeeze your boobs to see how full they are.
  • You are so frustrated with your slacker boob. Why can’t both boobs have the same output?!
  • You have tried Oreos, lactation teas, oatmeal, lactation cookies, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, fenugreek, power pumping, and Gatorade to increase your milk supply.
  • Some, if not all, of your decency has gone out the window.
  • You have InfantRisk on speed dial during cold and flu season.
  • When your little one looks up at you with those bright, beautiful eyes your heart melts into a puddle.

Are you a breastfeeding mama? What would you add to the list?

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Ashley Byrd-White
Ashley Byrd-White identifies as a Yankee-Carolinian who was born and raised in the tundra of Upstate, New York but currently calls the Midlands her home. She began her professional career in Buffalo, NY in higher education. She continues her dedication to education at USC working full-time as a Career Development Coach to college students. She currently holds a BA in psychology and an Ed.M. in higher education administration. Moving to Columbia, SC 4 years ago so her husband could pursue his teaching career was the most challenging time in her life … until motherhood! She has been together with her high school sweetheart husband, Chad, for 13 years (married for nearly 4). Ashley is a first-time mom as of February 2016 to Oliver. She loves being a mom, is proud of her continuing breastfeeding journey, and is thankful for her mama tribe. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, drinking coffee and wine, pinning crafts she will never have time to create, and making her son laugh.

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