Motherhood: The Most Difficult Journey Yet (Part 1) Breastfeeding. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. "Babies are born to be breastfed," La Leche League tells us. Breastmilk is chock-full of nutrients and antibodies that can't be replicated with formula. It is linked to less health problems for the baby later in life. It helps the mother bond with the baby, ward off post-partum depression, and even assists in post-partum weight loss. It is free. It is natural. Breast is best. Breastfeeding came naturally and relatively easy to my mother, and since so many of my pregnancy symptoms had mimicked hers — in addition to the fact that I have her body type — I had figured that it would come easily to me...

I pondered whether I should write this series of posts, and I hesitate still as I type these words. But I figure that I can not be the only mother who has these tumultuous feelings (right?) and that if anything, writing this will be therapeutic and beneficial to this new, confused mother. As soon as Claire was born and placed on my chest, I wanted to cry. Not because I was so happy to finally meet my daughter. Nor because I was overwhelmed with new mommy feelings of love and attachment. But because I felt like she wasn't mine. I had lost a baby prior to having Claire. I had wished and prayed so hard to get pregnant again, and was overjoyed...