Six weeks.

Lactation consultants (and friends who are La Leche League Leaders) will tell you that the first six weeks of a baby's life are the hardest for establishing a good breastfeeding relationship. My friend told me if I can soldier through the first six weeks I won't look back. Well, six weeks have passed since Matthew joined our family. Let's take a look back, shall we?

• I survived engorgement that made me look like I had implants worthy of a xxx-movie star.
• I survived a boy whose overzealous sucking and hearty appetite left me bruised and cracked.
• I survived parenting two older children during the day while nursing their younger sibling through two growth spurts at night.
• I got the flush of pride knowing that the double chin and chubby cheeks and thighs on my sweet baby were made by food I alone manufactured and provided.
• I get the thrill of seeing my sweet baby's eyes light up and his arms wave with excitement when he snuggles to me for a feeding.
• After two less than stellar experiences nursing my two oldest I finally get to know what all the happy nursing mommies know--it DOES get better! Nipples heal and nursing CAN feel good.
  
• I get to stay in bed all night--no running to mix and heat bottles.
• I get to dash out the door without having to pack bottles into an already overstuffed handbag.
• I can leave the dishes at night if I don't feel like doing them because I don't have to worry there are enough clean bottles for the next day.
• I can breeze past the formula aisle and spend the money I would have spent on that on more important things, like cute sleepers and treats for the rest of my brood.
• I get to remember the first night of Matthew's life when I laid in bed and nursed him while a Sam Roberts concert wafted through my window.
  

Not too shabby, huh?