Title: 6 months after first child
Name: Amanda 21 years old, 1 pregnancy
Story: I got pregnant at 2 years old and gave birth shortly after turning 21. Its been 6 months since I gave birth to my 9lb son naturally, in water. I’m still striving to make peace with my body. I know I should be happy with myself, i created a very handsome baby boy! I am a single mom and dating is hard, I am afraid I will be turned down because of my shape.I have had a cracked nipple ever since I started breastfeeding. It heals and then my son damages it again, its frustrating.
Child’s age/PP: 6 months
I can tell you as a male, that a lot of men love real women. You have a beautiful body, and should have confidence in it…especially since it produced such a handsome boy!
Your skin is beautiful and your curves are amazing!!! Your little man is adorable!!!
I think you look GREAT!
It has still been such a short time since you had your baby (my youngest is roughly the same age).
Men see us differently than we do, not sure why but they think we are sexy when we dont.
Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt, try contacting your local Le Leche League group (www.llli.org). They should be able to help you latch your son on properly so you can enjoy breastfeeding and NOT have cracked nipples! Try after each feeding to rub a small amount of your milk on the nipple and let air dry before cover back up (if possible)!
I wish you well in your dating adventures!
Remember,
You are strong, beautiful and any man would be blessed to have you and your son in his life.
p.s.
Your son is too freakin cute!! I love his eyes!
hey mama, congratulations on creating such a marvelous little man. the adventure has only just begun! i have a 2.5 year old boy myself, born at a birth center, and i’m a newly single mom. i felt a real connection with you because we have a lot in common. i have been dealing with my own nipple problems for the last 2 years – i have thrush. cracked nipples hurt so much! i get plugged ducts a lot, too. have you tried comfrey ointment? it’s very soothing & healing. i also go braless during major flare-ups. hope you find some comfort soon!
Mary is right. At 6 months breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. La Leche is amazing, or if you can’t find that, go to your hospital where you gave birth and ask for a Breastfeeding Consultant. She’ll help you with latches and holds.
Congrats on an amazing birth! You are amazing! And you look beautiful. I think you have a sexy and curvy figure.
It’s been quite a few years since I nursed my children but I had the same problem as you with my first child. I had a cracked nipple and it hurt a lot, I remember the pain even went around to my back. I agree with the other posters, I’m sure the Le Leche League can help you. There are also some good videos on YouTube showing the correct way to latch the baby on. Good for you for continuing the nursing, and I hope you can solve the nipple problem. Your son is adorable, and you have awesome curves!
You look simply gorgeous! You have a beautiful mother body and your skin look flawless! I’d kill for your skin. Your boy is adorable. Congratulations on his birth and feeling empowered to go for a natural water birth. That’s incredible!
Try a silicone nipple shield to protect your nipple; they’re about $8. You might need a nursing ‘tune up’ with a LC…often one side is fine, but when we latch baby on to the other side, it’s not quite the same :)
I had a hard time nursing too. I noticed a huge difference when I supported my breast very high so that there was no pulling on the nipple. I also have large breasts and it sucked because I never had a free hand to read or change the channel but it worked wonders.
For the nipple problem we found pump that side when you can. Dont over do the non-cracked side, but try a pump then feed out of the bottle.
The nipple confusion thing for us at leaset was a myth. Once healed, you know how many you can go before it starts again, start pumping before that point for a day or two for a break on that side.
It will never chap again.
You have an amazing body. Your belly, butt and breasts all look great.
Like dad-of-3 and wife experienced my wife Beth and I discovered that pumping a hurt side still kept the milk production up (great for baby) and helped heal the nipple quicker for her. She also was a big believer in the little dab of milk after nursing on the nipple and air drying. She also produced A LOT of milk, so I got her all cotton “nipple liners” for her bra that were washable and helped protect her nipples. She also used the silicone nipple shields especially when Caleb started teething. OUCH!!
We also found that surrounding ourselves with breastfeeding supporters (family, friends, and professionals) was very helpful. I encouraged my wife breastfeeding our son until they wanted to stop. I find nothing bonds a mom and child together better than breastfeeding.
Lastly, oh my goodness! The only difference between my wife and you, at the same time post partum, are some stretch marks my wife had on her lower tummy. Like my wife, you do look FABULOUS ‘n SEXY!!!!
Hang in there, we all are rooting for you!!!
most men dont’ want to date a stick. you have to remember that women created those ultra high standards of starving ourselves. Men genuinely like a girl who is soft and feminine! you, my dear, look GORGEOUS! i wish i had your boobs!
I’m a single mom too I know how the dating thing goes it’s really hard. But keep in mind if a guy won’t give you the time of day because you have a beautiful baby boy he’s not worth it and don’t waste your time. Your body is very nice and give yourself another 6 months and your gonna be much happier breast feeding helps a lot with weight loss and getting your tummy back in but it took 6 months for me to see the results of that. But I think your beautiful the way you are and best thing is you have you lil man that will always love you for you :)
As a guy, all I can say is that you look incredible!
I half to say that you have a gorgeous body and I’m quite envious.
I brought my husband over to the screen so he could say what he thought, and he thought your body looked very nice, and he especially loved your breasts. Trust me, lots of men would be attracted.
wow you are a truly beautiful woman! i hope you don’t mind me saying that you have the most incredible breasts i have ever seen!!! mine are a 34DD and fabulous but yours are awesome!
I had cracked/wounded nipples for many months after I had my son. I tried EVERYTHING from visiting different doctors, to lactation consultants, breast shields, creams, etc., etc., and nothing worked to keep it away. Finally, a family friend (who happens to be a doctor) told me to use tea bags! She said get black tea bags, (has to be black) wet them, and put them in your bra with pads 2 to 3 times a day. She said the acidity will kill any bacteria that might be preventing you from healing and the caffeine in the tea promotes circulation for healing. At first I thought it was really weird, but I just tried it and it was a MIRACLE!!!! I finally healed and have NEVER had problems since!!! Hope this helps!!
i love your body! i think you look great. thanks for posting, im encouraged
I am a 20 year old man, I just want to let you know your very, very, very attractive. Most women are to hard on themselfs. I mean come on imagin what most men would look like if we had to go through birth. I dont think any women should be ashamed of what they look like after birth. Its what the female body looks like after the miracle of producing a human life inside them, the ultimate sacrifice of your body to provide life to your new baby.
You have beautiful body thanks for sharing your story.
You are a wonderful woman! And your breast is beautiful. I would love to look like you!
In my opinion, you have the pefect body :)
Your body is beautiful every single part of it. Your gorgeous!
I am curious if any thing has changed for you. I hope that you found someone that was not misguided by sick social myths that state that if a person weighs more than a toothpick that they are considered fat. If you were in the area I would be glad to get to know you and would view you as someone that a long term relationship could be established with. But since you are not here, I hope you met someone like me.