Keepin' it Real is Not Always Pretty

I’m baaaaaccckkkk!!! Haven’t written in over a year but I remember having mastitis like it was yesterday and let me tell you, I do not wisht that pain on my worst enemy. What started with clogged milk ducts progressed into the most painful moment of my life and lasted close to two weeks. Two whole weeks of massaging and squeezing my poor boob. Soaking it in castor oil, wrapping it in warm cabbage leafs, and taking the type of medicinal supplements you find in Whole Foods. All this while nursing an insatiable and colicky one month little boy that did not (and still doesn’t) understand the concept of a full night of sleep.

I had to pump constantly to help unclog the duct since Bjørn was not thrilled about nursing on that side. And of course, all this had to be done between emails and work calls and making sure my productivity didn’t slow down.

I’m grateful to the kindness of a lactation consultant I connected with through Facebook and who gave me all the tips to get over the mastitis and did not charge me ONE bit. Maybe one day I will get to pay it foward and help another mother in mastitis need!

This picture was taken the day we finally conquered and my plugged duct gave up. Bjørn and I spent an afternoon in bed, cluster feeding until there was no more pain. This is me, the epitome of motherhood, exhausted and surrendered to all that comes with being a mother. It’s one of my favorite photos of us.