My Love-Hate Relationship With Breastfeeding

To my sweet sweet boob-loving son,

I hate breastfeeding at midnight when you wake to nurse moments after I’ve finally fallen asleep.

I hate breastfeeding at 2 a.m. when you wake me up to nurse again and I get to watch your dad peacefully sleeping.

I hate breastfeeding at 4 a.m. when you are sleepy and lazy with your latch and bite me.

I hate breastfeeding at 6 a.m. when I look at the clock and know I’m going to have to wake up soon, even though I have yet to sleep.

I hate breastfeeding at 8:30 a.m. when I’m dropping your sister off late to school with a hodgepodge lunch box, unbrushed hair, and no socks because I was desperate for any additional sleep you would give me that morning.

I hate breastfeeding when I read stupid comments online from people who think I’m doing some shameful act by feeding my child.

I hate breastfeeding when I am feeding you in public and see other parents hurry their older children along so they don’t see such a scandalous act as you eating from my breasts.

But…

I do love how convenient breastfeeding is, how free breastfeeding is, how healthy breastfeeding is, and how happy breastfeeding makes you.

And for those people who hate seeing me nurse you, I love that my right to breastfeed you in public, regardless of how much I might not want to nurse you in that moment, is protected by law. Because heaven knows someone approaching my sleep-deprived, touched-out self and asking us to move would not end well.

Love always,

The human attached to the boobs you love