Day Twenty-Nine | Allison's Journey | A Four Time Mom Story

Zyrielle is my fourth born child. Thankfully, she took to breastfeeding like a champ, from the moment I put her up to my breast. I was definitely so much more prepared this time around since I have gone through everything before. I had just stopped breastfeeding my youngest son, Camdin shortly before Zyrielle was born, so I wasn’t really out of touch with the basics when she came.

Camdin began nursing again for a while after Zyrielle was born as well so we tandem nursed for a little while. It was definitely a big difference between going from a wild child monkey man to a teeny tiny baby butterfly, she was just so delicate and tiny and all of a sudden, my youngest little man became huge. I tandem nursed for a few months and it just became too hard and I feel she needed it more and he was getting too big when he would come up and just lift up my shirt. She took to breastfeeding like a pro instantly – it was amazing and beautiful to see my first daughter breastfeeding. It was definitely a perfect moment for us.

Nothing at all has been difficult this time around. It’s been absolutely perfect. I couldn't ask for it to be any better. Even as we get closer to her first birthday (in a couple more months) – I am very lucky to not have had any troubles with her. We have both been healthy and she is growing strong.

For support I go to my husband, Anthony and Facebook – mostly the Badass Breastfeeders groups. It is really nice to have such a large group of women who have been through or are going through the same things you are in any moment. The group is mostly good for articles and information but it is a great place to hear what other ladies have experienced as well since each of our stories are different.

As far as pumping, I've actually only tried to pump twice out of all 4 of my kids, when my first son, Jaiden, was born and once when my second son, Brodie, was born. I didn't respond to the pump that well and it was too much work. I hated it, so I'm just a straight boob type of mom - actually none of my kids ever had a bottle or pacifier once. It's been a boob only thing. And I'm quite happy about that, I'm proud of myself for strictly breastfeeding my kids. I feel like it helps make them generally smarter, healthier, and all around better kids partially because I strictly breastfed them.

I think it was very positive being a boob only mom. Mostly just easier actually not having to worry about pumping and I think it made my older two boys smarter and healthier so I'm assuming it will with the little two as well. My favorite part is seeing their sweet little innocent eyeballs looking up at you like you are their world - this precious, tiny little human is yours and they just adore you just as much as you do them.

My advice to other moms is to not give up, breastfeeding is absolutely one of the most rewarding things to do with your babies - it's a bond for life. To see your precious baby right there and hold them close while their beautiful eyes are staring up at you is one of the best things in the entire world.

How was it different to nurse a new baby than your first? We'd love to hear about it in the comments. If you would like to share your story on the blog, please contact me and we can start to plan your perfect session to go with your story.