My Breastfeeding Journey - Why Feeding From the Tap Wasn't for Me

I didn't breastfeed directly from the tap; instead, I used a breast pump to get milk for my babies. Deciding to pump exclusively wasn't easy. I felt guilty not wanting to breastfeed because I constantly heard messages like, "our bodies are made for this; breast is best; that's how you bond with your baby, etc." So, I was a little overwhelmed when things didn't go as planned.

My breastfeeding journey took a ratchet turn shortly after trying with my first son. I gave breastfeeding my absolute best try, but in the end, my nipples were too traumatized to continue. Yes, my traumatized nipples were why I switched from "struggling" to feed my baby from my breast to exclusive pumping. While teaching him how to latch correctly, my nipples cracked, twisted, blistered, flattened, and dried out during the process. I was in a lot of pain whenever he tried to eat.

As I was struggling, everyone kept insisting it would get better. That might have been true, but I'm pretty sure my nipples would have fallen off before then. The pain was so excruciating that my entire body tensed up, and my nipples started throbbing at the sight of my baby; that's when I knew traditional breastfeeding wasn't for us. So, instead of torturing myself and my baby with a process that wasn't working, I switched to getting breast milk by exclusively pumping. Three thriving babies later, I realized that whether I breastfed from the tap, pumped exclusively, or formula fed, my babies still felt loved and were healthy. No matter where you are on your journey, try to tune out the overwhelming messages and do what's best for your family.

Have you struggled with breastfeeding? Feel free to share your experience in the comments.