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"It Was Love at First Sight!"

A True Take on Motherhood

By Irina Rahman

Hmmm... are we talking about the same thing? All right, there were those days when I genuinely enjoyed nursing my son, but more often than not, it was tiring and painful. Rewarding would be the last thing on my mind. I know everyone says breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby, but I can also understand those mothers who resign early and switch to the bottle.

When I first attempted to breastfeed I needed the help of my husband, my mom and two nurses on duty, and I still didn't get it. Even when we brought him home I just couldn't seem to find a comfortable position for either of us. When I finally got the hang of it, I could sit there and play with his tiny fingers and toes all day while he filled his tummy. Then he started teething!

So yes, breastfeeding can be rewarding, and you must appreciate those times that are, because they may come and go. Still there's nothing like knowing that your healthy baby is growing steadily because you're giving of yourself everyday. Now that's rewarding.

Was he really that easy? The last thing a new mother wants to hear is how effortlessly someone else can take care of her own child. I know it's a sweet compliment when they say this, but there's a pleasing comfort in knowing that I'm the only one who can soothe my darling baby. It would in fact be more rassuring to hear that he cried a little with other people, and it took a while to get him to sleep. At least I'd know I'm not alone when I occasionally have those problems. If he's going to be an angel with anyone, it should be me, right?

Of course after a few more times this insecurity fades, and his attachment to you becomes rather wearisome and you only wish someone else could take him for a bit. When we first leave our little one to spend an evening away we all have so many concerns and worries, mostly minor. But as the months pass and it becomes easier to leave him, we welcome those sweet words, "He was an angel." That is, in fact, what we want him to be; otherwise we'd never get a day off!

Want to see more?

• Being a Mom: Poetry for Mother's Day and Beyond
• Mommy's Day Out
• Back to Basics: Taking Care of Baby
• Talk about it!

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