Three babies, twelve months and over one thousand one hundred bottles of breastmilk later, Kelly retires her breast pump. I've written a couple of blog posts about Kelly and her three boys. Here's the final chapter of their breastfeeding journey and I'll let Kelly tell it in her own words.
Hi Debbie, When I first met with you when I was pregnant, I had no idea where the breastfeeding journey would take me. I was worried about overcoming challenges – three babies – could I even do it? Would I have enough milk? Would I be able to satisfy them?
Once the babies were born, I knew I wanted to give them everything I could. They were so tiny, born at 34 weeks/4 days, and all under 5 pounds. I remember the day my milk came in being so happy. Over the coming weeks, I was not really able to produce enough for all three, and I was so discouraged. But you encouraged me to keep going, and taught me that every ounce is like money in the bank for them – so I pumped and gave them my milk in a bottle and supplemented with formula.
I almost stopped so many times, but each time I hung on for my boys and I was eventually able to provide almost a full bottle for each boy every day. As they approached their first birthday, I decided I would stop.
What a strange feeling, after so much struggle to build my milk supply, to let it go – there’s part of me that still wonders if I should have kept going. But I feel so happy that I did it and that I made it to a year. It is truly with mixed feelings that I stopped. Joy for having made it to a year, and for having three such healthy, happy boys. Sadness that I am no longer providing this part of me to them each day. Relief not to have to pump anymore! Overwhelmingly, I am so grateful that I kept going, because I feel like I have given them a good foundation and helped them to a healthy first year.
I have attached two pictures – the first is with Liam, shortly after one of my first breastfeeding experiences. I felt so content to have him laying on me, and just loved getting to feed my babies. The second is with Morgan on his first birthday, getting one of his last pumped milk bottles. It just is so amazing to me to compare the babies in these pictures – how much they changed in one year!
Thank-you for all your support and encouragement over the past year. I would not have made it without you. Kelly
Kelly, you are amazing. Your story has encouraged me more than I can express through this past year. Thank you for taking the time-- how you could spare a single second is beyond me-- to send me pictures and updates throughout the year. Many women have heard your story and been determined to give as much breastmilk to their baby or babies for as long as they can. I'm expecting the pictures to continue coming! And again, a big THANKS!