Once, when Naim was about three months old, I developed mastitis – swollen, inflamed breasts and a fever – when I travelled overseas without my breast pump. Even though he was with me, I needed a pump to clear my breasts fully during every nursing.
BREASTFEEDING BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY
Oddly enough, despite the complications, I still love breastfeeding. It’s one of my favourite parts of new motherhood.
During one of those long nights in newborn haze, I had asked myself: Do I still want to keep doing this? Do I really want to keep navigating this maze of latching issues, feeding schedules, and unpredictable baby idiosyncrasies?
Then, I glanced at my watch. It was 3am. Everything was silent, and Naim was nursing peacefully. I recall him stirring slightly, then his eyes opened and locked with mine.
I froze as I prepared for him to wail, but instead, his gaze softened, and he smiled as he drifted back to sleep. I kissed his forehead. Swollen with a whole lot of love, I stared at him until I fell asleep.
The intimate moment made me realise how beautiful it was to be able to nourish and comfort my child through breastfeeding. And though breastfeeding can feel like a maze to navigate, I knew it was a means to have a special bond with my son.
After all, isn’t parenthood about sacrifice and learning to manage new responsibilities with love, not resentment? For me, breastfeeding is the clearest expression of that.
As Naim got older, breastfeeding also made going out, travelling and attending events so much easier. It was practical and convenient.
As long as I was nearby, he was happy to explore any corner of the world. When his cries got mightier, breastfeeding was the fastest way to soothe him. My nursing cover and breastmilk collector became the most essential items to take along whenever we went out.
