I’ve come to realize that these hateful displays are not uncommon. They exist as prime examples of the intersection of breastfeeding shame and fatphobia.
At times I found myself mourning the loss of being a fountain of endless comfort and nourishment for my son. In my heart and in my weary mama bones, I knew that we were on the right path—a path towards sustainable motherhood.
These are the reasons I will never try to override someone's struggles with the idea that it might get better or one day might be worth it. Because in the moment, it sure doesn’t feel like it.
Because for me, the beginnings and the ends and the middles; the phasing out and the in-the-thick-of-it? They’re not so concrete. They blend together always.
Normalize breastfeeding, formula, bottle feeding and pumping. Or a combo of all. And most importantly: Normalize not shaming yourself for how you feed your baby.
I realize that my story is not about failure. It’s not failure when you try your hardest. This is about how we need to support and help moms to get better at breastfeeding and avoid mental health capitulation.
