My New Full-Time Job is Breastfeeding

My new full-time job = Breastfeeding + diaper changing + eating + sleeping + snuggling.

I have no idea how moms go back to work after only 6 weeks of maternity leave.

Taking care of an infant is a 24/7 job that deserves a lot more respect, time and space then I think our modern society gives in the U.S.

As a first time mom, I am…

Learning the ropes and realizing just how much time, energy, and love being a mom requires and demands. I definitely underestimated how much time I’d be breastfeeding!
Grateful that I run my own business and can decide when and how much I will be working when I return.
Grateful I’ve worked hard to get to a place where I can hire the support I want/need to help with this new journey.
Extremely grateful for my incredible friends, family and husband who support, inspire and empower me to be the best mom I can be.
Learning SO much from my midwife, postpartum doula, and most of all, Wilder.

Wilder is a champion eater. He often cluster feeds for a few hours at a time, takes short breaks, and occasionally takes long naps for a few hours.

It’s rare that I get a few hour chunks of time to myself per day to take a shower, eat, stretch, do laundry, etc. So I’m learning how to be extremely efficient with the time I do have. I also hired a postpartum doula to assist me a few days per week with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and baby care.

Co-sleeping

I’ve been bed-sharing with Wilder at night to make breastfeeding and sleeping easier on both of us. He snuggles against me all night and gets fussy if he loses contact with me.

My intention is to bed share with him for the first 6 months and then feel out what the next best move is as he grows.

Right now it feels right to have him super close to me at all times. I know how important our connection is for his development for at least the first 3 months. I’ve read a ton of books on this topic and absolutely LOVE waking up with him every morning.

Have you tried bed-sharing or co-sleeping with your baby? What has been your experience? I’d love to hear from all the mamas!