Written by You&Milk - Updated on Jul 25, 2024
Marie, at the helm of the Instagram account @graine_de_caillou, recently confided in me about her incredible co-breastfeeding adventure with her children.
She lived it fully, intensely, instinctively, and it is with much emotion and gratitude that I collected her testimony.
"Breastfeeding wasn't obvious for my eldest daughter. I had never seen a woman breastfeed but I wanted to try... After a difficult start, I finally breastfed her for 13 months. I loved all those milky and magical moments even though I was a "victim" of lack of information and support... When I was pregnant with my second child, breastfeeding had become obvious. Bedridden very early during my pregnancy, I informed myself a lot. I was aiming for an unshortened breastfeeding! Establishing this second breastfeeding was much easier despite a very present RÉF."
We quickly decided to have a third child.
I became pregnant when my son was 15 months old.
These nursing moments became even more magical as my belly grew.
I loved seeing my son nurse and already create a bond with this little brother I was carrying. Towards the end of the pregnancy, I had less milk, but my son kept nursing despite his frustration of not having as much milk...
I chose to have this third baby born at home.
Of course, he was going to be breastfed and, to my great joy, experience co-breastfeeding with his big brother. His birth was magical; in the living room in front of a fireplace. He nursed very well from the start. I was very confident, I knew.
The first co-feeding was magical! It happened as soon as the two brothers met. An unforgettable moment!
On day 1, my milk came in, which was facilitated by the fact that the big brother was still nursing. No engorgement and no pain from tight breasts! My chief nurser, delighted to find milk in abundance, also spared me the reflux we had fought a few months earlier. Everything fell into place as if it were obvious.
My youngest was breastfed on waking cues, and his big brother could always be breastfed on demand.
I gave priority to my little one, but the fact that the older one could also nurse made him accept the arrival of a new baby in the family without jealousy outbursts.
My eldest kept his place and also shared a magical, already strong bond with his little brother.
Over time, the older one's feedings became less frequent, but we always kept, like a ritual, the end-of-day feeding together.
Each always nursed on the same breast, and I was amazed to see that my body had adapted and produced different milk in each breast during that feeding. It was incredible!
Moreover, it was soothing for both.
Seeing them hold hands during this already magical moment will remain etched in me forever! I co-breastfed my sons for 16 months, until the natural weaning of the older brother who was 39 months old.
Co-breastfeeding greatly helped with the baby's acceptance.
A great bond was born from it!
Breastfeeding two children was easier when setting up this new life with five.
Everything flowed naturally! I didn't see it as an extra burden, quite the opposite...
My youngest continued until he was 43 months old. Sometimes, his brother and sister asked for a bit of milk but not at the breast, as the sucking reflex fades with age. So I would pump some milk, and during the little brother's feeding, they would enjoy mom's milk at the same time. It was funny!
All my breastfeeding experience, which was different from one child to another, helped me grow and especially to gain confidence in myself and my children!
In the end, I breastfed for over 8 years, and I'm proud of it! I used to say about my eldest, "we'll see, I'll try at least until he's two months old..."
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