By Danielle
This is my sweet soon-to-be 18-month-old, Isabella. She is my third daughter my older
two are 3 and 6. I was unsuccessful breastfeeding my older two daughters. I had my
first daughter at 23, and frankly, I was just young and uneducated about the benefits
of breastfeeding. I pumped for a couple weeks but when my pump broke I didn’t have money to buy a new
one so I went to formula.
My second daughter nursed about 4 months but I just
couldn’t work and pump effectively. At last, my third baby girl was born and here we
are 18 months later still going. It is a bond I truly treasure and I plan on having
her self wean. She latched on right away, and I did lots of reading to make sure I
gave it every shot to achieve my breastfeeding goal. I never thought I would be
“that mom” nursing a toddler.
A couple days ago I took my daughter to the pediatrician for a
stomach virus and I mentioned I still nurse a few times a day. I asked if it was okay
to still nurse while she is sick and he replied to me, “She’s walking around now and
pretty old… I would stop.” I was really shocked and hurt, but then came to the
conclusion that as a young male doctor he is probably just under-educated about
breastfeeding.
To all the mommies out there, I would just say to educate yourself as
much as you can. If it doesn’t work out that is okay, too. My older two daughters are
healthy, smart and beautiful just like my youngest!
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