Setting Goals for Breastfeeding

Setting goals while breastfeeding is quite important.  It helps you to feel like you are accomplishing something and makes it easier to keep going when the going gets rough.  I think one of the keys to my success with my breastfeeding journey  was the fact that I set small and manageable goals.

I started out planning to breastfeed for the first six months and then reevaluate.  Well that was too lofty of a goal when everything went wrong.  So I set smaller goals.  My first goal was to get through the first month.  Mastitis nearly did me in though at 3 weeks.  Fenugreek and blessed thistle helped me pump up my milk supply and I hit that first goal of a month.

My next goal was to make it until I went back to work at three months.  That was the easiest goal by far since by 6 weeks, breastfeeding was going smoothly.  With each of these goals, I awarded myself with a small present so I felt even more pumped (haha no pun intended) to keep on meeting these goals.  I treated myself to a cute owl diaper when I hit that mark.

Thirsties Duo Diaper in Hoot

So the next goal I set and met (ohh I could be Dr. Suess) was to make it a month as a pumping/ working mom.  This was a bit of a struggle for me as my PPD had kicked it up a notch and I was also incredibly anxious when I had to go back to work.  I hated being away from Destructo and I hated pumping.  But again I persevered through and met that goal and got a sweet sweet Sophie as a reward.

Destructo and his sweet Sophie giraffe

My next goal was six months and then a year.  I hit those goals fairly effortlessly and really went into cruise control then since I got to stop pumping at work.  Oh let me tell you that was a happy day and a little sad too.  But it was so nice to get to have actual lunch breaks again.  For one of these goals, I got this adorable diaper with equations on it.  Yes the dork in me was shining through brightly on that day.

Bumgenius 4.0 in Albert

Currently I am still breastfeeding Destructo.  I am not sure when I plan to quit.  I don't think I really have any more goals or plans.  I am hoping that he will self wean between now and two.  If not, maybe I will force weaning on him or maybe I won't.  If nursing twice a day still works for him and for me, well then we will just keep on going I suppose.  This is truly the best time of breastfeeding in my opinion.  The stress of breast milk being his number one nutrition source is gone.  The stress of will my milk supply dry up is gone.  It is just all immune system benefits and bonding from here on out.

Here are my words of encouragement for new breastfeeding moms in case any of my lovely readers are in the first few weeks of breastfeeding confusingness.  Just be easy on yourself.  It is a learning process and set small goals.  They are much easier to accomplish.  Oh and pat yourself on the back as well.  Any breast milk your baby gets is better than none!  Breastfeeding is a long and sometimes tough road, but incredibly worth it.

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