Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
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TITLE: Then Came the Breast | Previous Challenge Entry
By Francy Judge
08/21/14 -
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When the nurse placed our first son in my inexperienced arms, he was ready to drink. “Right now?” I asked as he cried, clearly not enjoying this new world.
“Yes, go ahead.”
Good thing I was already stripped of pride during childbirth. Baby and I fumbled at meeting mouth to boob until the nurse joined in and helped. In no time, he latched on, stopped crying, and melted into my skin. In the quiet, dark room, I listened to his tiny slurp noises, and thought, “Wow, he really likes this…and oww!” It hurt as if I was turned into a chew toy. Of course the joy overshadowed the pain and it didn’t matter; baby had to drink.
Note 1: Breastfeeding can be painful.
Those little sucking noises are cute in the privacy of one’s own home but ruin all sense of being discreet while nursing in public. No matter how long I fed him before going somewhere, his cries would resonate until I gave in and nursed in public…in the parking lot…a bathroom…a park bench.
Note 2: Modesty becomes the ultimate challenge.
The day after baby was born my milk came in…felt like someone filled the milk jugs. Another “wow” moment. I’ve never had a Dolly Parton bosom before, could never use the word bosom to describe my petite, athletic, boyish body. This was an interesting development. I could enjoy strutting my new curvy body in a low cut sequin gown up and down the supermarket aisles. (Where else would I go?)
It didn’t take long for me to realize they got in the way. I couldn’t jog or play tennis without noticing my two quarts of milk bouncing. My back ached from the extra weight.
Note 3: Bigger isn’t always better.
The first time my husband and I left baby with his mom so we could go for a walk together, alone, I learned something new about separating. As waves chased my toes, and we strolled by the shoreline, my thoughts drifted to baby. “I hope he’s not crying to be fed again. What if…”
“Stop worrying. He’ll be fine. If he wakes up, my mom will rock him back to sleep.”
Our feet dipped into the wet sand as the ocean breeze tossed my hair in all directions. As I pictured my mother-in-law rocking the baby, I felt a sudden warm, tingly sensation drop over me. “Is this what big boobs usually do?” Then I felt damp. Two wet circles emerged on my shirt so I zipped my sweatshirt to cover the leakage. The more I tried not to think of baby, the more they’d leak. By the time I got back home, I was so ready to nurse, I had to wake him. My leaking problem turned into spraying. Poor baby got a milk shower in the face as he wiggled in my arms.
Note 4: Breastfeeding could be dangerous, armed with two round water pistols, or milk guns, that shoot without warning.
After a few months of nursing I felt like a pro, except I began to notice he favored one side. I was sure my boobs were equal before we got going with this nursing business. What happened? Now I was lopsided and nothing could change baby’s mind once he picked a favorite.
Note 5: Baby might pick a favorite; then you’re doomed to unevenness.
Reading these notes would’ve opened my eyes to the trouble with breastfeeding, but I wouldn’t need a journal to remember the peace that filled me during those quiet times nursing my baby, sharing the boobs. I felt God’s presence and always prayed to the music of sucking noises. So, my answer: if I wasn’t getting too old, I’d do it again.
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This was really good!
God bless~