How I have survive 10 months of breastfeeding

When Luke was a baby I was not able to breastfeed him for very long after I returned to work. He got about 2 months of breastfeeding and that was it. It wasn’t because I was having issues with feeding him it was everything else in my life that lead me to give it up.
I made a promise to myself that I was going to have success and not make the same mistakes with Thomas that I did with Luke. I decided I can do it and I will do it!
I am happy to say I have been nursing for almost 10 months now. My goal is to hit his first birthday and then I can consider weaning him if he wants to be weaned. I am just thrilled that I have made it this far.
My husband and family have not always been the best support system but I have dealt with them. My husband says Thomas is going to be attached to me until he is 5. This isn’t true but sometimes I wonder…. He does prefer nursing over a bottle. That can create some frustration for me at times but I am committed.
I learned a few things along the way that made the experience much better the second time around. This time I bought a good Medela Pump. Don’t buy a cheap pump, don’t do it! With Luke I bought a cheap pump that burnt up really quick. It was a small hand held pump that was easy to use but it didn't pump enough milk and it didn't last long at all. I also worked at a place that did not have anywhere that I could pump. I ended up going into the ladies restroom each day and pumped. It wasn't private and I hated every moment of it. In my current job I have my own office so I can close the door three times a day, keep working and pump. This makes life so much easier.
If you do anything invest in a good pump. It will pay for itself in the first couple months of baby’s life. I know I would have spent a lot more on formula by this point so the pump was a great investment. I just wish I had done it the first time because then I could have used it for both my kids and not just for Thomas.
My second smart move is I pump whenever I can so that I can supply the sitter with milk and I have a stock of it in the freezer. I have bought one can of formula since he was born and I bought it with coupons and spent $7.00 on the one can. I actually threw it away because it had been opened and was getting old.
This time I also had a great sitter who provides such a great support system. She nursed her kids, one to 18 months and the other up to 12 months. She provides that encouragement and support that I really need. My family doesn't provide that support and they wanted me to wean him long ago. They just don't understand. I wanted to say if you want me to stop feeding then you buy the formula.
If you are a nursing mom and you need support I am here for you. I learned a lot from both of my children and I am still learning. Don’t be surprised if I am not seeking advice from other mom’s when it is time to wean Thomas. I don’t think I am going to decide when this happens but he will.