By Shelly Lopez-Gray
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and every time I go online, I’ve seen pictures of different celebrities breastfeeding their babies. The last one I saw was of Olivia Wilde, perfectly perched in what looks like a diner’s booth, her dress flowing around her, breastfeeding her naked 4-month old baby. The picture is really, really lovely, but I never had one of those moments.
The first time I breastfed my NICU baby, I was so nervous. He was so little, and he was covered with all these wires and tubes and I was afraid I’d hurt him. But I knew that he needed me and I really felt like my breast milk was the medicine he needed to get better. I was so thankful that he was such a great breastfeeder for such a little guy! As a registered nurse and lactation consultant, I know breast milk alters to meet your baby’s needs. I genuinely believe that I helped him get better faster by breastfeeding him.
When I went back to work, breastfeeding became more of a challenge. There were times I couldn’t wait to give it up. Because Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women offers designated spaces for employees to pump, it was never hard finding a place to pump once I came back to work. But it took so much effort to clean the parts, store the milk and make the bottles. It was so much easier to just put him to my breast! But I kept breastfeeding and pumping because I loved being able to do something that would give my baby the very best start.
My baby is almost a year old now. He is no longer breastfeeding, but I miss it, and if I could still do it, I would. Although I know I never looked like Olivia Wilde perched in that chair, I loved having him so close to me. I loved feeling every breath he took. I loved feeling the weight of his little baby body next to me, and I loved the way he fell asleep in that breast milk coma after I nursed him.
Breastfeeding is beautiful and selfless, and it’s a gift that only a mother can give to her baby. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, it’s not always the most convenient, but it’s one of the most important things you can do for you baby.
If you know in advance that you are going to have a NICU baby, or if you are surprised with one after delivery, the most important thing you can do is pump as soon as possible after delivery to help establish your milk supply. If you are considering whether or not to breastfeed your baby, know it’s not as glamorous as it might look in some pictures. But every ounce of effort is worth it when you hold your baby close and share a moment with him that can only be had between mother and her baby.