I Breastfed My Baby for 6 Months – 6 month breastfeeding badge
My little Baby H just turned 6 months! It feels like I was just sharing my birth story, and yet here we are at 6 months! At our 6 month appointment with the pediatrician, Baby H weighs in at 19 lbs 7 oz and is 28 inches tall! My big boy. He’s rolling over, moving his head all around and back, loving to be flipped in the air by Daddy, and tells us stories in babble.
Despite all the pain, nursing strikes, supply issues, latch issues, etc etc, I am still breastfeeding my baby and I plan to continue for as long as I can. I have earned this 6 months of breastfeeding badge and I will display it proudly. I met my initial goal of 6 months and the big goal is at least 1 year.
I wanted to reflect on this journey and think about all the positive feelings I have toward breastfeeding so I don’t focus on all the challenges. Every drop is a gift!
My top 5 Favorite things about Nursing my Baby
- On weekends when we don’t need to be up early, I pull Baby H into bed with me when he wakes and I nurse him side-lying. Then we both fall back asleep for a while. It helps since I’m so sleep deprived on work days.
- The way Baby H relaxes into me fills me with so much happy.
- Pumping at work means I get to take two half hour breaks from working every day, and it is encouraged!
- Being able to provide nutrition and immunities is kind of a superpower.
- When Baby H unlatches and smiles up at me. Melts my heart.
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Amy Greene says
Congratulations! I too, love feeling my little one melt into me. She’s almost a year now, and is getting more and more affectionate and cuddly even when she’s not nursing :)
Julie says
That cuddle time when otherwise our baby is always on the move is so special :)
Adventures of a Novice Mum says
Yah! Well deserved badge; well done. Every drop is definitely a gift. You must feel so proud to have made it this far, when you think about all the challenges you’ve had to overcome.
By the way, your badge rocks, can any breastfeeding mumma get one? I’d like one too. We’re 17months in today!
Side-lying took me a while to get; a lovely position to master as they grow older and bigger.
So lovely you have supporting employers too.
Oh, the smile, the reach for the face … the longer sleep …. such lovely perks and special moments. Squeeze out every drop of enjoyment from the peace and quiet moments it regularly brings both of you now. Mine now does a lot of what I call, ‘breastfeeding acrobatics’; our moments are not quite as peaceful and quiet as they used to be. Still lovely, just a different phase.
Thanks so much for linking up #BreastfeedingandI
Julie says
Absolutely get a badge, or several! I grabbed mine from the LLL album https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973304546031425.1073741827.253475138014373&type=3
Breastfeeding acrobatics huh? Yea I think we’re starting to see that, sometimes he’ll want to be on all fours over me and tries to roll and take me with him – doesn’t work. lol
Thanks so much for your kind words and support :)
Alison says
Aw, this is absolutely lovely. The side-lying position is my favourite too; it’s so nice just to cuddle up to your baby when you’re both all comfortable and cosy. Good to hear your employer is supportive too, as so many aren’t. And fantastically well done for reaching six months: every day breastfeeding is something to celebrate. #BreastfeedingandI
Julie says
Thanks Alison! Yes, every day is something to celebrate and enjoy.
Hatton says
Congratulations!! 6 months is my goal too. Pumping at work is so difficult!!
Julie says
Pumping at work is hard, yes! Sometimes having to pump so much makes me think about quitting. Hope you make your goal!
Angela says
Six months already? That’s great that you have breast fed that long. I only did it for 3 months.. I tried longer but I didn’t produce enough milk. I am absolutely certain you can make it a year.
Julie says
I’m not producing enough, but I am producing some so that’s why I just keep going and he gets as much as I can give him. He’s on a lot of formula too. Thanks Angela :)
Eva says
I hope you achieve your big goal. I also initially started with the one-year goal in mind… oh how long ago it seems now… and ended up with two years. For each kid. Thanks for linking up #ConfessionsLinkUp
Julie says
That’s awesome that you exceeded your goal both times! Thanks Eva :)
Eva says
Three times :))
You Baby Me Mummy says
It is great that you achieved your goal and feel so positive about the process. Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x
Julie says
Thanks for hosting The List :)
Shannon @ Of The Hearth says
Your little one is big! My girl was just 15 lbs 2 oz at her 6 month visit.
She is now seven months and we’re still going strong with breastfeeding. I hope to continue until she is 12 months, or perhaps longer if she is still interested. It’s hard work initially, but definitely worth it!
Julie says
Yea he is huge and I think he’s going through another growth spurt – I won’t be able to lift him soon haha.
Amy Ngai says
I love reading posts about breastfeeding. I had my struggles with my first but was determined to do it right with my second. My daughter is 9 months and has never had a bottle. Everything straight from mommy and it makes me sad thinking of weaning her before I go back to work. Thanks for sharing #ConfessionsLinkUp
Julie says
That’s awesome that you were able to do better with your second one. I’m hopeful that I’ve learned a lot and maybe next time I’ll have better supply. He’s on more formula than breastmilk, but the fact that he still gets breastmilk is a victory in my book.
Jules Ruud says
Side-lying nursing is the only way I nursed my little and it seriously allowed me hours and hours of sleep. I have always been scared to tell people that’s what I did because I felt lazy. I’m hoping that it works as well with my next one! hahaha Congrats on making it six months, mama. Thanks for sharing at #mommymeetupmondays!
Julie says
That’s not lazy at all, it is a great option! :) I’m thinking your idea of only doing that is a good one cause when I nurse sitting up he keeps unlatching and trying to wiggle out to look around the room or watch the TV. Guess I can’t watch TV and nurse anymore.
Irion @ Diapers To Potty says
Good for you and your baby! Keep going as long as you can, because it’s really worth it in the end. My daughter nursed until 9 months and my son nursed until 18 months. I can see the difference because my son is NEVER sick and my daughter gets sick every once in a while.
Julie says
Oh that’s great that you can see a difference based on the duration. I think 18 months is incredible. I’m hoping to make it to 1 year but it is hard. Especially now that he’s so squirmy and keeping him latched is a struggle.
Pen says
Wow, well done for reaching 6 months and I am really impressed that you are pumping at work. 6 months was also my goal. I really struggled at first. We are now at 8.5 months and I am still breastfeeding 3 times a day – 7am before work, 6.15pm before bed and then a 10.30 pm dream feed. I am really proud of myself for getting this far. My aim is also a year now. I know that I will get to a year and won’t want to give it up though.
Well done and good luck reaching 12 months. xx
Julie says
Go you for making it as well Pen! I figure the 6 months was my absolute minimu, now I can continue with (hopefully) no guilt if I dry up sooner than I would want. I don’t think I’d want to quit at 1 year either if I don’t have to, though pumping at work is getting really old.
Danielle says
Aww, I totally loved breastfeeding both my kids and I still miss it! There’s nothing like the bond you feel when feeding your baby from your own body. It’s amazing!
Thanks for checking out my blog, hope you have a wonderful mother’s day!
Julie says
Thanks Danielle :) You’re right that there’s just nothing like it, and is something you really don’t understand until you’ve done it and formed that bond.
Mummy's Blog says
Well done on getting to six months. Number one was definitely my favourite thing about breastfeeding – extra sleep is always welcome!
#TheList
Julie says
It sure is always welcome, as there is just not enough sleep available heh. Thanks lady :)
Lisa (mummascribbles) says
Ahhh I loved all of those things about breastfeeding but by that point my greedy baby had stopped and was onto formula! He’s two and a half now so it’s an age ago! Those feeds in bed were the best though! It’s fab that your work are so supportive – there aren’t many that are! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday and keep up with the feeding – it really is the best :)
Julie says
We supplement with formula because he eats way more than I produce – always has actually (he started out on formula before my milk even came in). But yes, the bed feedings are my favorite thing :)
Kim says
Congrats!!! I loved (love~still nursing the last) breastfeeding my babies even through the difficult times. It provides so many benefits. The bonding is the best.
Julie says
It is worth it, even if it is so difficult. Thanks Kim :)
Brandyn says
Congrats! I remember doing a happy dance when we hit our 6 month mark! We didn’t make it quite the full year I was shooting for, but I’m so glad my daughter and I had that experience. It is an amazing thing and some powerful bonding! Great list!
Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Julie says
It is some really powerful bonding, definitely. thanks Brandyn :)
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
Congrats on making it to 6 months!! I had no issues with nursing my first until he was a year old. I am currently having challenges keeping up my supply with my second baby, and it can’t hurt to read more tips on keeping up supply, so I am off to read your link!
Julie says
Thanks :) That’s interesting that your first baby was no problems but you’re having some with the second. I wonder if I’ll be the reverse (should I agree to another lol). Check out the lactation cookies and overnight lactation oatmeal posts for recipe/links to recipe if that’s what you’re looking for :)
Karie {Girl Going Country} says
Yes…being a mom and being able to breastfeed and provide all this wonderful for your little one, definitely makes you a super hero!!
Julie says
Thanks Karie :) It is kind of cool being a super hero haha.
Mrs TeePot says
Kudos to you for doing so well! It sounds like such a special experience, one I hope to have one day
Julie says
Thanks, hope you have it one day too :)
Emma says
yay 6 months!
#3 made me smile. I love hearing about employers encouraging pump breaks. I wish every employer would!
Julie says
Yes me too. It makes me sad to hear about other mamas who struggle to be able to pump at work, or just quit breastfeeding altogether.
Pam says
Congrats on six months! It is quite an accomplishment in this crazy face paced world. I made it to 8 months and I could not travel and pump because of work so I had to stop. It was a very emotional experience to say the least.
Pam
Julie says
Thanks :) Yea I don’t want to travel for work for that reason too. Don’t really know how to do the whole pumping and storage and all that. The day I decide to/have to quit will definitely be very emotional.
Stephanie says
Happy 1/2 year birthday to your little one – it’s clear from your post that he’s bringing you so much joy. Thanks for linking up to #sharethejoy
Julie says
Thanks :) I definitely understand why they call babies “bundles of joy” lol