The Frustrated and Stressed Breastfeeding Mother's Top Ten Reasons to Continue Breastfeeding

I am not one of those women who loves breastfeeding. I barely even like it. When I read about other women's experiences I pictures rainbows and butterflies just exploding out of their nursing bras every time they feed their babies, smiles on their faces and an angelic choir singing somewhere in the background.

I'm usually a sweaty, milk-stained, hot mess with blood shot eyes and preschooler somewhere whining as my eye twitches.

I've spent over two months now working on this graceful and happy breastfeeding thing. For whatever reason, it's just not me. I accept it now. I can live with the fact that I'm missing the womanly gene that gives most other breastfeeding moms that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Either that or it's tangled up in the strand of DNA that also likes NOT having to disrobe every hour or two to feed my baby, or possibly the one that enjoys wine. Obviously, the whole health aspect of it is great, but sometimes it's hard for me to remember that while I'm struggling to remain vigilant. So instead of feeling entirely agitated about the whole experience, I've come up with a few positives to focus on and get me through this trying time.

So here they are:

10.) The incentive to wear all those clothes that get shoved into the back of the closet. Sure, there's a lot more laundry when you have to change your shirt three times a day because you leak all over it, but at least that shirt that I haven't worn in 6 months gets a little air time.

9.) It's good practice in the event that I lose an arm. I can now make breakfast, lunch and dinner, clean, sort, and fold laundry, wipe the counters, mop the floor, dust, open mail, buckle my preschooler into her carseat and get her out of it, type on the computer, fix my hair and make up, make coffee, push a shopping cart, and create a play-doh snowman.... all using only one arm.

8.) The opportunity to leave a room or walk away at any moment I feel like it. Run into someone you don't feel like talking to? "Oh, sorry, I need to feed the baby! Let's definitely get together for lunch though! (Yeah, right!)" Your family driving you up the wall? "I'm going to go feed her in the bedroom, now!" It's like a built-in excuse to get out of any situation you want without coming off as rude. Just the opposite- most people will think you're just avoiding making them uncomfortable.

7.) Getting the most out of my monthly Netflix membership. I bet I've made them regret that low monthly fee for streaming video. In my first month of nursing alone I finished watching the series to date of Mad Men, most of X-files, and all 6 seasons of Lost- twice. Why twice? Well, why not? Also, I sort of don't get it. And in the same vein, catching up on my reading. My Nook is on fire these past few weeks! I know that I'll miss having the chance to sit down for more than a few moments once the baby is a little older and on the move, so at least I know being confined to the couch and bed for hours at a time isn't going to waste.

6.) That moment when I walk by the formula in the store and realize that I can now spend my 15-25 dollars on ANYTHING besides formula. Chocolate bars, ice cream, a new book, hair dye, make up, cupcakes, a bottle of wine.... even though I know that in all actuality I'll probably spend it on the kids anyway. But just knowing I have that extra cash is enough to make me smile for the rest of the day.

5.) My mother-in-law doesn't like it. Enough said.

4.) Letting my husband catch up on bed time duty. When 7 PM rolls around, if I am feeling a little tired, I can call down to my beloved hubby and ask him if he can give our oldest a bath tonight because, well, I'm feeding the baby. It's not like he's checking to see if I'm smashing my soundly sleeping infant into my boob a little bit. Come on, in 4 years I can count on one hand the amount of baths he's given before this. I think he owes me a few, right?

3.) I'm certainly exhausted, but making bottles in the middle of the night would absolutely ensure I was even more tired. I remember those days with my older daughter. Not fun, or safe, wandering around the house like a zombie with a crying, hungry baby angrily waiting for her bottle. Of all the positive aspects of nursing, I think the ability to just whip out a boob and nurse in the middle of the night is probably the greatest advantage. I am a woman who loves my sleep, and definitely appreciate the ability to be a little lazy like that.

2.) Boobs. Just in general. I'm normally a small-chested sort of gal, so being able to fill out my shirts is like a lifetime achievement for me, and hearing my husband actually say, "Wow, you're tits look awesome!" makes me giggle like a schoolgirl. I guess this is what normal women go through when they first start developing during puberty. I totally get it now. These puppies rule. Helllloooo nurse!

1.) You wanna talk about an ego-boost? I don't think there will ever be anyone as excited to see my boobs as my hungry baby is.