My Critter breastfeeding at approximately 3 weeks old, at the peak of our challenges
My little Critter is now 11 weeks old, and I’m excited to say that after overcoming common challenges, we’re still exclusively breastfeeding. Recently someone expressed shock that I was still breastfeeding. She was surprised because, as she put it, “breastfeeding is such a chore.”
I was befuddled. Nursing is a chore? It requires dedication, but I would hardly call it a chore. A chore by definition is a “difficult or disagreeable task”, or “the daily or regular work of a household or farm”. I may occasionally feel like a cow being milked, but breastfeeding hardly is the same as washing dishes. The ever so convenient alternate option (formula/bottle feeding) actually requires extra chores… so I really don’t see her point…
But I’m here to tell you why breastfeeding is not a difficult or disagreeable task, though it does present occasional challenges.
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No washing dishes!
Photo taken from Vancouver Sun
The number one reason that breastfeeding is not a chore, is because it literally reduces the amount of housework you have to do. There is no washing, drying and sterilizing of bottles. Your time is not wasted standing at the kitchen sink, but rather you have more time to do all those other tedious tasks… or you can spend that extra time getting extra baby cuddles.
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Breastmilk is FREE
Spending hundreds of dollars a month on formula is difficult and disagreeable. But who says “No” to free food?! Breastmilk doesn’t cost a single penny! Even if you are able to score free formula one way or another, if you breastfeed you don’t have to worry about taking inventory to make sure you have enough formula, or waste your time running to the store in the middle of the night when you realize you miscalculated what you had left.
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Just bring the boobies!
Rushing out of the house? Don’t forget to pack your bottles, and make sure you bring enough! What if you end up out of the house longer than you planned and don’t have enough formula to make a bottle? Oh, and where are you gonna warm up that bottle? Do you have a cooler to keep it cool in the hot car if you’re out for a while? Hmm…
Well, if all you bring is what the good Lord gave ya, then all your problems are solved! You have the best milk on demand 24/7, always at the perfect temperature! How could it get any easier than that?!
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Special connection
When you’re feeding with bottles, it becomes very tempting to just prop the bottle and let the baby eat while you wash, dry, and sterilize the dirty bottles. But when you’re breastfeeding, you’re forced to take time out of your hectic day to just sit, cuddle with, and stare into your little one’s inquisitive eyes. What part of baby cuddles, kisses, and giggles is “difficult or disagreeable”? Personally, despite all the other perks and positive things about breastfeeding, this one is my absolute favorite. Yeah, breastfeeding can be time consuming… but at least my time is being spent bonding with my precious Critter instead of being sucked up by – you guessed it – chores!
During all the challenges we had breastfeeding, I knew it was what I wanted to do, but felt breastfeeding was making my life harder, so I understand why someone may momentarily consider it “a chore”. However, I was constantly reminding myself of the many ways breastfeeding would eventually make my life easier, and now I’m so glad I kept going. Breastfeeding is not only easy, but if you read my last post, you’ll know I credit the bond nursing builds with saving my relationship with my baby, and my life.
So, to all my new mamas reading this:
If you’re in the early stages of breastfeeding, thinking about how tough it is, and how much easier it would be to just give your critter a bottle, slow your roll… It might be hard right now, but once you get past these challenges (and you will!) you will quickly learn that breastfeeding is not a chore…
Did I miss any of the perks of breastfeeding? What is your favorite thing that makes breastfeeding the best option for you and your baby? Leave us your comments down below!
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And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our HT #NYCBreastfeedingWorld
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Jaimie is a mom, an Air Force wife, and nurse who grew up in rural Maryland. She has faced many challenges with the transition to motherhood. These challenges however, helped her find her passion for educating and supporting other women throughout their journeys and challenges in breastfeeding, relationships and motherhood. She is really excited to find her voice again by writing for Breastfeeding World and helping spread the good word!
Loved this article! So true. Although i was pumping alot to relieve my nipples so i was washing just as much as a non breastfeeder! I am on week 8 and just starting to pump less and feel more comfortable while feeding. We had many issues too. Hoping they are behind me for good!! Excited to read your articles every week and be a part of this site!
Thank you Teresa!
After posting, I realized that it would be hard for moms who pump frequently or moms who bottle feed breast milk to relate, but these sentiments ring true, at least for EBF moms. I do pump, but not regularly, so I couldn’t offer too much insight on that. Hopefully other contributors have more experience with that and can write a killer post about the triumphs and challenges of moms who pump regularly or exclusively pump!