topless thursday: memories

I really didn't know how nursing would go for me. I almost threw in the towel with Hadley, especially after coming down with a wicked case of mastitis. Not to mention my cracked, bleeding nipples. It was rough. I'm not going to lie.

Then week three rolled around. I bought a nursing wrap. Nursed in public successfully. And we were off and running. And it was wonderful. Not only convenient (no need to tote a bottle), but when I'd look down and see her little eyes looking back at me. Or the day she put her hands in my hair as I was nursing her... Those were the moments that made the excruciating mastitis pain and bleeding nipples worth it all. Those are memories of her baby years I will hold in my heart always.

And now with Hayden I am creating the same memories. Things are not as convenient with her because I just don't have the time it takes to nurse her 100% of the time, so the bottle is in tow. But when I do nurse and she looks back at me, I fall in love over and over again. I'm creating memories with her too.

So, needless to say, nursing ended up being a wonderful, memorable thing for me. One I will miss, bittersweetly, once Hayden is done. But I am glad I was able to have those moments with both of my girls.

New mamma's out there... Hang in there. Breastfeeding can be tough. But all worth it in the long run.