Home run for Lennox

Well my boy has done it! We have been nursing now for the past 4 days. Exclusively nursing. No supplements, no top ups. At first I was very nervous for obvious reasons. He has been gaining weight steadily and I was worried that might change if I played around with our feeding routine. Feeding challenges are very common in babes with DS. I have learned that first hand. And there was no way I wanted to go down that road again. 

It was a bit of a struggle at first. Essentially he had to learn to latch all over again. A couple of times I was ready to give up. To just go back to what was working. In many ways it seemed easier. But now that we've achieved what I was hoping for, I realize my old routine of pumping and sterilizing bottles, was way more draining. 

I don't want to preach about the benefits of breastfeeding. I am 110% in favor of each mother doing what she feels is best for her and her baby. I am not one of those women that stands there and says with hands on hips "breast is best". I chose to give him the benefits of breastfeeding for not only the nutrients and added protection against any illnesses but for the potential of it helping later, with his speech by strengthening his tongue and jaw. I still offer him the occasional bottle, mostly when we're out. To me, it seems easier. We are a busy family and stopping the entire gang for even 20 minutes just sometimes isn't an option. It works. And if "it ain't broke, why fix it?"

I will see if its going as well as I think it is, later this week at weigh in. It's hard not to stress about whether he is getting what he needs. It goes back to the feeling of inadequacy and self doubt. But I really just need to trust my instincts. I have had over 5 weeks to get to know my baby. He can show me in many ways what he needs and I just need to relax and listen to him. We both know what we're doing, and the best part is, we're doing it together. 

I think we've hit this one out of the park!