Breastfeeding

If you have never been a mother, then you have probably never thought about the idea, because I never did until I became a mom, however, breastfeeding is very important to me.
It was never even an option to me, I just knew, upon the birth of my child, that she would be fed solely by me at the beginning of her life. It wasn't until I had been breastfeeding for a while that I realized just how important this is to a child, and to the mother. Not only is it the best thing nutritionally for a baby, but there is such a special bond you have when you breastfeed, and nothing can even compare.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't love it at first. I mean, who would love excruciating pain in their chest for hours on end? Who would enjoy having to spend every other hour, even during precious sleep time, feeding their child...and no one could help out? I wanted to give up, but that would be the easy way out, the selfish way! With my first, it was more pain than inconvenience that was difficult for me. With my second, I had to produce milk for him even when he wasn't around (during his NICU stay), so I felt like I was doing it for no reason, just wasting time away. That was hard, and I was also in pain this time around as well.
It is a SACRIFICE, and I believe it is the best thing you can do as a mother if you are bringing a life into this world. My belief in this has become stronger over time. It takes patience, and like I said, sacrifice to be such a strong mother, and give such an important part of you to your child.
I wanted to quit many times, especially when I got an infection this time around, and I could barely even walk without pain in my chest. However, I "manned up" and continued to breastfeed throughout it all.
I applaud the women who give it their all, and I don't understand women who just don't want to breastfeed. I mean, we were given these body parts for a reason, right? Not just so our husbands can enjoy them!!! (I do know that some try it, and it just isn't possible, so I am not referring to them).
So you see, I have a VERY strong opinion on this issue, as do other women I know, and I love when I get reassurance that I am doing what I know to be the best thing for my child.
Well, last week, I was sitting in a parking lot in the car before going into a restaurant. Beck was hungry, so I wanted to feed him before I went in to eat. I wasn't covering anything up, however, no one was really around, and I just sat in the front seat breastfeeding. An older couple pulled into a parking spot, parked, got out, and proceeded to walk directly next to my window to go past. The lady stopped at my window, (in my mind I was thinking, what the heck) she just looked at me, smiled, and gave me a thumbs up, and said, "good job" . That made my day! Who cared that I wasn't covered up, but that I was doing the right thing for my baby!!
So, give a woman the thumbs up, when you see her breastfeeding. I breastfed Paityn up until she was a year old and I am not going to stop any sooner this time around. Yes, it is hard to have your life be consumed by your child's routine, but it is SO worth it. It is so worth not taking a vacation without them for a little while longer, so worth the sleepless nights, and just so worth all of the downsides, for the love and health of your child!