Anela

by Ange Abrizenski Renel

When I found out I was pregnant, I decided that I would nurse my child. My husband's step mother had nursed his sisters and he was very supportive. I read the books, and bought all the "supplies" I thought I would need. We got a couple of bottles, just in case. The formula companies somehow sensed our impending arrival and sent us all sorts of free samples. I hung onto them, planning to nurse until maybe 6 months.

After a 23 hour labor and emergency cesarean I was worried that our nursing relationship was somehow stunted. My daughter was amazing though, seeming to know exactly what to do. The hospital staff was mostly very helpful, forgoing pacifiers and sugar water. We roomed in with our new little girl. Only once did one of the nurses got quite rude with me for co-sleeping in the hospital (which I was told was encouraged). She demanded to take Anela to the nursery, and ridiculed me because of my baby's weight loss (she was born at 8 pounds 8 ounces and was down to 7 pounds 11 ounces within days). Thankfully I had read that that was normal, and I stuck to my decision to nurse. Dave was awesome. He files a complaint against the nurse and was sure Anela didn't leave my sight for the rest of the stay.

Once we got home things were much smoother. We all slept better and I only had engorgement and sore nipples for maybe 3-4 days. My daughter was back up to her birth weight within a week, and I was so happy that we didn't let that nurse get to us. I joined my local LLL group and began to learn about long term nursing. I was still aiming for 6 months, and concerned about teeth, but was open to the possibility of making it a year.

Six months came and went, Anela had no interest in solids and continued to co-sleep and nurse on demand. I'm convinced that her outgoing personality and ready smiles can be accredited to this. I learned to use a sling and took her with me wherever I went. I grew comfortable with nursing in public and actually got more approving comments than disapproving. I felt good about being a breastfeeding advocate and educated any woman who asked me about it. Maybe some of them are nursing now because of questions I was able to answer?

Anela just turned a year and she's still nursing. She has two teeth and has yet to use them on me. She has never been seriously sick, never had an ear infection, and rarely spit up. She has never tasted formula. I feel so wonderful about all of these things. I cant explain the feeling of accomplishment I have for sustaining my daughter not only during my pregnancy, but for her first year of life as well!