My Fairytale Breastfeeding Journey

That innocent connect with my little one

It was 0200 am…swaddled in muslin was my 2weeks old daughter. looking (and behaving) like an owl. Happily breastfeeding with the most innocent and content expressions..(probably wondering why I was staring at her!.

I will never forget this night that made me realise this magical bond with my baby. Forever grateful for it as it made me trust my body even more and feel grateful for all that it has done to connect me with this beautiful soul in my arms…

2 years done....still the beautiful journey continues

And here I am after 2years, feeding her as her tiny hands pinch me, squeeze my belly, scratch me, pull my clothes… same content expressions but innocence replaced with naughtiness. As she giggles and tells me about her day while breastfeeding I again thank my body, my baby and my stars for this beautiful journey.

The Ups and Downs in the Journey

I started exclusively breastfeeding my daughter on 2nd day after she was discharged from NICU. Latching was an issue and it was quite painful. I was so clueless as I hadn’t done an extensive research beforehand (one thing all expecting mothers must work on).

The unsolicited advice created a confusion

I was solely depending on all the well meaning advice by my mother, my Jappa, my sister, sister in law and other experienced ladies of the family. On 3rd day I started receiving all sorts of suggestions and doubts about my diet, my baby’s milk requirements, my milk supply, if it’s inadequate etc etc. It was a difficult and confusing time for me.

When the going got tough, sisterhood came to rescue

Thankfully I had two rock solid women by my side- my sister and my sister in law. Who told me to just believe in myself, my baby and my body and just do what seems right. I thank them everyday for this!

"Breastfeeding is the best thing on travels" - says my lactation expert

My husband and I love travelling. Thus when my daughter turned 4months we decided to take our first international trip with her. I consulted my LC to understand how to start bottlefeeding her. She gave me the best advice on this. She made me understand how breastfeeding is the easiest thing to do while travelling and bottle feeding comes with its own share of additional works like sterilising, carrying bottles, formula, warm water etc etc.. Thankfully I decided to give it a try and oh how much I love my decision!

The family that travels together stays together

My daughter is now almost 25 months old and we have taken her on 6 international and 11 within India trips. I have exclusively breastfed her everywhere… in flights, trains, buses, boats, cable cars, hotels, pools, restaurants, parks, beaches everywhere. I even breastfed her during my first solo hike with her. There were times when she didn’t like the local food, specially in offbeat places but thanks to breastfeeding I was always sure that she is getting good nutrition.

Breastfeeding liberates me

My journey so far has been incredible! Some people told me I will be bound due to breastfeeding. But I feel it just made me completely free! Because I can literally be anywhere with her and still provide her a nutritious meal. Some people also told me that we can travel more freely without her but my husband and I just don’t want to travel without her in these initial years.

Did I struggle after resuming work? Not at all

Some people also raised doubts about how I will join back work. But I am fortunate to have my office right below my residence. Also as I search for good quality cows milk, I know she is still getting all nutrients of milk through me.

All was not rosy in this journey

This amazing journey has had a good share of lows as well. Like all parents we have had many many sleepless nights due to colic, sleep regressions, illnesses, teething pains, separation anxiety, play school, growing pains list is endless. And as she finds breastfeeding calming and reassuring, there were days it did drive me crazy and question my own decision.

But breastfeeding is the best decision I took in my life

But at the end of the day honestly, every breastfeeding session reassures me that this was and is the right decision for us.

(As told by Sakshi)

#MyBreastfeedingStory