What a difference just a few months will make. Back in March, when Holly Madison was a new mom, she described breastfeeding as "the biggest challenge." She said she was glad she was doing it, but surprised at how much work it can be. Now that it's December, it sounds like all that hard work paid off. "Breastfeeding was a great experience for me," Holly says in a recent interview.
Breastfeeding can seem like mountain climbing sometimes -- at first you may feel intimidated. It almost seems too hard. You're not sure if you're going to make it. But you keep going anyway, and at some point, you turn around and look and you're amazed. You've made it! You are breastfeeding like it's the easiest thing in the world. In fact, that's the word Holly uses.
Breastfeeding was a great experience for me, but I've been told by moms I know that I am lucky my baby took to it so easily. Don't beat yourself up if your baby just doesn't want to do it and you go the bottle route.
Her baby took to it so easily? Here's what Holly said back in March.
Breastfeeding is the biggest challenge. I took classes -- and I don't want to discourage anyone from nursing -- but I'm surprised at how much work it is and how much you're on call. I'm happy to do it since it's healthy for my baby.
I think those first few days or weeks can be a little like childbirth -- you forget the pain. But I'm thrilled for Holly that she got comfortable and made it work. (And is it me, or does it sound like maybe she's weaned Rainbow?) I'm also glad she's sensitive to the moms who aren't able to breastfeed. This is an excellent example of how to talk positively about your own breastfeeding experience without putting down women who don't.
If only we could see our future selves when we first start breastfeeding, I think we'd feel so encouraged. If you knew that someday getting that latch right would become automatic, that you'd get used to all the sensations, that breastfeeding really would start to feel, you know, natural, think of what a difference that would make! Of course, for some women, it never gets easier. But for most of us, it does, and that's something all new moms trying to breastfeed should know.
Can you relate? Did breastfeeding get a lot easier for you after the first few weeks?
Image via Holly Madison/Instagram