On Motherhood/Parenthood Debating: Breastfeeding

I believe the breastfeeding is best. I have breastfed all of my children for various lengths of time. My first was only weeks (which is hard when your child is in the NICU and PICU). My second was about 2 months (after which I developed a kidney infection that stopped me in my tracks). My third I pumped for because she had latching issues, but I did so for 10 months. My fourth child nursed for 19 months. Now, my fifth, who just turned a year, continues to nurse. I will probably nurse him as long as he wants, even if it is years.

My journey started nearly 7 years ago. I wanted to breastfeed, I was planning on it. However, my son was born with several heart defects that required surgery. I pumped faithfully around the clock while he was in the NICU and PICU for three weeks. After he returned home, I couldn't handle it. I tried nursing but he had been on the bottle too long and I was a new mom. I had no idea what to do. So, I dried up from lack of pumping and nursing and he was formula fed for 14 more months. He did fine and continues to do well.

The second time around I knew I would breastfeed. I was eager to and I did for the first 8 weeks. My husband was deployed when I had my son. It wasn't a big deal to me. When he came home on R&R, I ended up in the ER for a kidney infection. I had been fighting it for weeks at that point and it was finally time for some stronger antibiotics. I stopped nursing. I just couldn't handle the pumping and dumping, the feverishness, and the stress of R&R all at the same time. So, two months of nursing and pumping was enough.

The birth of our first daughter, I thought it might be our last child, so I was committed to nursing. I left the terrible Army hospital I had my c-section in without any help or advise for breastfeeding despite asking for it. So, when she wouldn't latch, I was without help or direction. I bought a $400 pump and pumped for 10 months. My nipples cracking and bleeding were the only reason I stopped. That day, I felt like a failure. I wanted to make it a year. It was time to stop though and my body was thankful.

My first successful nursing experience was with our second daughter, and fourth child. I had her at a civilian hospital about an hour from our home. They had two full-time lactation consultants, one worked a rotating shift which meant she worked some nights. The first night there, she was with me for most of the night. After that night, we got it. My daughter nursed for 19 months. That was one month before my son was born. I had been hoping she would nurse after my son was born because I had heard it would help us continue to bond after his birth. That didn't happen, but I am eternally thankful for the time she nursed.

My youngest is still nursing at 14 months old. It has been so easy from day one. I had 21 days of no nursing between my daughter weaning and my son's birth. I think that was a huge for my transition back to nursing. It was so easy. He latched and we were off. It's been an amazing adventure ever since.

We are currently struggling through sickness at home and my son's nursing is driving me crazy. He wants to nurse all the time and I don't have time for that right now. He wants to nurse all day...everyday. I am committed though