I wanted to breastfeed my first baby so badly but I ended up with an emergency c section and he was in the NICU with a feeding tube, which was a huge barrier to breast feeding. He had to do a certain number of feeds by mouth and just wasn’t latching properly. My mental health was terrible and I was readmitted to the hospital twice. We ended up sticking to formula with him. When I got pregnant with my second, I was determined to make it happen no matter what. Fortunately my scheduled c section with him was a healing experience. He did not have a great latch at the hospital and the lactation support was not that great either.
Once I got home I started pumping and bottle feeding. He still did not have a great latch so I just became an exclusive pumper. I am a working mom so I would have been primarily pumping anyways. It’s not easy at all but every oz is a reminder that I am doing it all for my son. Support and help from my husband has also been a huge factor. I am now an overproducer with a freezer stash. I am so grateful and it is more than I could have ever hoped for. Here’s to all of you moms, you are amazing no matter how you feed your babies 
