I always knew that when I had a baby I wanted to breastfeed. I had my first baby at the age of 35. I decided that when I have a baby, I would do everything in my power to protect her, nurture her, teach her, love her and keep her safe -- no matter the sacrifices to myself and my husband.

I know that feeding breast milk is the very best thing that a mother can do for her child. So that is where I wanted to start.

When my daughter was born 18 months ago, we were not prepared for the news the doctor's gave us. She would have to be in the neonatal intensive care unit for a while. She was on I.V. and I couldn't breastfeed her for several days. When I tried, she wouldn't have anything to do with me. She was being fed through the tubes, so she didn't know that I was a source of food, just a source of love. She just couldn't do it. I pumped and pumped (with the Medela Pump n Style!) and tried to get her to eat from a bottle at least. It broke my heart, I felt as if I were missing out on such an important part of motherhood, as well as giving her the best nourishment available -- my milk.

After a few weeks and we had her home, she would take a nibble or two, but not enough to satisfy her. I would have to pump and feed her with a bottle. I pumped every two hours around the clock, stored milk, thawed milk, pumped again and again. I pumped to the point of sheer exhaustion!! At 4 months, my milk had started to dry up. Once again, I cried! I was put on medication, but it just didn't last long without her nursing from me. With my doctor's kind words, I knew that I had done everything that I could have to give her the best nourishment for as long as I could.

I feel every mother should do what is best for her and her baby -- no matter what the feeding option is. However, I am expecting my second child in October and I plan on breastfeeding this baby as well -- no matter what it takes. (I just hope it is MUCH easier this time around!!)

I am just grateful for the breast pump option. Without it, my daughter would not have had any breast milk. She is a happy, very healthy, precocious little toddler today!

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