A’Jai - Despite, not having anyone else in my family breastfeed, breastfeeding was the way that I decided to feed my daughter. While I was pregnant with my daughter, my mind was already set on breastfeeding. I didn’t even contemplate or consider formula.  I was really excited to breastfeed during my pregnancy, but after I had her breastfeeding was not what I imagined it would be. It was super rough in the beginning, and I had no idea that I would need education to feed my daughter. I thought it would come naturally because it IS natural, but actually doing it required someone to teach me.

The first few weeks I had to supplement with formula because my daughter and I really couldn’t get the hang of it. She had a hard time latching, and I had decreased milk supply from supplementation.

Even though I was supplementing, I was determined to get to the point of exclusively breastfeeding. We worked on it every day at every feeding. I remember one time she was cluster feeding, and I literally spent the whole day feeding. We spent hours at home with her at the breast, and this happened for two days. In those 2 days, we didn’t use formula at all! I remembered hearing that the more milk she took out the more I would make. So, when this growth spurt occurred, I knew this was the perfect time for her to take out as much milk as possible.

On the last day of cluster feeding, I remember the very first feeding where she was completely satisfied. She wasn’t fussing, crying, and looking for more. She was calm and happy, and she looked up and smiled at me! It blew my mind! This was the first time I was able to fully satisfy her, and I just couldn’t believe it. Each time I fed her she was still so happy, and so was I. Her reaction at the end of our feedings was so much different than they were when I didn’t have enough milk, and I was ecstatic!

Ever since those two days when she was 1 month old, she has been exclusively breastfed. She is 3 months now, and I plan to continue breastfeeding her until she is 2 years old.

My advice for new moms is this: Never give up, even on your worst day!

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