My Breastfeeding Journey as An Older Mom

My breastfeeding journey was a complete and absolute blessing from God! I’m an older mom of advanced maternal age (49), and my daughter came into this world early at 33 weeks 4 days, weighing only 4 pounds, 6 ounces on a Friday at 2:49 pm. My colostrum coming in the very next day was profoundly magical. By Sunday night, with the help of a wonderful NICU nurse, my sweet little preemie was able to latch on on the very first try. I was in such awe of the whole experience. Beaming from ear to ear and thanking God for these precious gifts, my long-awaited child and for her milk, I began motherhood.

I was already proud of the fact that I was able to carry my pregnancy for that long, plus the fact nothing was wrong with my baby, only early and tiny, had me beaming. It was a miracle. Then my colostrum came in, even though it wasn’t plentiful, it was enough. It was so amazing! I literally ran, well walked at a fast pace, to the NICU so proud of this little syringe that contained what I considered GOLD. I knew since she was a preemie that she needed this. She needed the nutrients that it came with, and indeed I, a 49-year-old woman, overweight and having breasts that weren’t so small and quite difficult to manage finding bras and such, was able to provide it for her. My tiny little baby would be able to get what she needed from them and thrive. It was a feeling to this day that I will never forget.

As time progressed on, I wasn’t producing enough milk, so we had to supplement with formula (Neosure) which was just fine with me. As long as I was able to add to the mix, I felt satisfied. The fact my child wasn’t going hungry because of my lack of production and was getting some liquid gold was a win-win in my mind. I would pump every 2 to 3 hours, and I was more than happy to wake up knowing that I would have what she needed. Each morning, I would take my little purple bag with the little freezer pieces that they provided for me and would walk into that NICU like I was royalty transporting my Liquid Gold.

Unfortunately, our journey came to an end after only nine months, and that was the day that we were in the rocking chair and my daughter was nursing on my left breast, her favorable one and SHE BIT ME!! I looked at her, she looked at me, and then I said “Oh so we are done here, huh?” And she kinda smirked at me, and I chuckled, and so for the next 3 months, we did formula only. My milk didn’t dry up completely over the course of those 3 months, yet there wasn’t enough for a full feeding. There were a few times she became fussy and reached for them and was granted access; however, once she turned a year old she didn’t fancy them at all. Even though I felt a little sad our journey was over and short-lived, I will forever cherish those first nine months of her life, our journey together, and be forever grateful.

Kim Negrete
I am a Wife and A 1st Time Mommie@49 years of age, to A Beautiful Miracle Baby Girl. I am originally from Dallas, Texas and Have been in Cajun Country since 2005. Prior to my daughter's birth which gave me my Dream Job as a Stay at Home Mom I was in the hospitality industry and before that the transportation industry. My Husband is From Mexico and is in Construction . We love to do Destination Birthdays at The Beach and Travel to Dallas as often as possible to see MiMi. We Love GOD and Put him 1st in All things we do. We Love to just hang out at home in our backyard and enjoy our Daughter... We are The Negrete's Party of Three😇