4 Reasons I’m Thankful for Breastfeeding

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I don’t know about your family, but in my crazy, crowded, cozy home after we all load our plates to the breaking point, we go around the table and say what we are thankful for. A cheesy tradition to be sure, but it’s tradition and who am I to mess with that?

I am very lucky I have a lot to be thankful for, and this year I will be thanking my body. Not only did it carry and birth three beautiful babies, but then it continued the hard work of feeding each of them for over a year.

When you work so hard to provide love and nourishment for your littles, it can be easy to feel tired and overlook your amazing accomplishments. Which is why this year, I’m going to take some time to be thankful. So without further ado, here are four reasons that I am thankful for my body and for breastfeeding this year.

1. Breastfeeding Forces You to Slow Down

You’ve seen all the memes of the tired moms. Guess what? They’re all true. Whether you’re working, staying at home, have a nanny, or go it alone, motherhood always feels like you’re one step behind where you should be. At least for me, that means I never sit down. I’m always picking up, making food, trying to sneak some work in. You get the picture.

But when my little man needs to eat, I have no choice but to find our comfy chair, put my butt in it and sit with him. And let me tell you, it’s a welcome relief to make time to sit, chill, and snuggle.

2. Breastfeeding Allows You to Eat More

Some of my friends claim this isn’t true, but probably 90% of us who breastfeed have a much larger appetite than normal and still don’t gain weight – many of us actually shed the baby weight quickly. With my first two, once I weaned I put on 10bs in .5 seconds (something I somehow forget about when I’m actually nursing), but for now, I’ll enjoy the extra cookie or ten.

3. Breastfeeding & Pumping Makes You Feel Productive

Back in my office pumping days (when I would rely on my trusty breast pump more than anything else in life), I could have a horrible no-good very bad day at work where I got nothing done, or even worse – made a mistake. But as long as I was going home with my 15-18 oz of pumped liquid gold, I felt like I had accomplished all I really needed to do. Making the time to pump during my work day helped me keep my priorities in check and reminded me why I was working and who it was for.

4. Breastfeeding Creates a Bond

Perhaps the #1 thing I’m thankful for when it comes to breastfeeding is the bond it created between me and my children. During their baby year, when they are tired, crabby, or hungry, I was the one with the comfort (or more accurately, my boobs were). It created a bond that I truly believe can never be broken. Clearly, this is true for all moms and babies, breastfeeding or not, but for me having my baby skin to skin and in my arms so many times a day really helped me feel connected.

What are you thankful for this year? I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, food, and fun.

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