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An Ending Followed By A Beginning

One of the most cherished experiences as a mother has been nursing my children. As holds true for many new mamas, breastfeeding didn’t come easy to me in the early stages, but it is one thing I miss the most, now that my children have outgrown it.For me, nursing was a bond I created and shared with each child. I would look forward to our time together, and sometimes it seemed as if the whole world would stop as I was completely in the moment. In an effort to overcome my great feeding hurdles, I sought help from a lactation consultant with my first two children. Gemma, my third, took to nursing more easily, and she continued until she was about 18 months old. I let her lead the entire way until she was finished. I miss it so much, and I sometimes find myself yearning for a fourth child, just to relive those precious moments.

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 Ryder 2008

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 Siella 2011

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 Gemma 2013 

My older children remember my nursing moments, sometimes referring back to the time I nursed their little sister. With each child, the process became so much more comfortable that I felt confident the baby was getting enough. I could even nurse while outside, something I didn’t do much with my first. I pumped once a day, and made sure to freeze and store all my extra milk, for those in case of emergency senarios. By the time Gemma came along, I could nurse anywhere and in front of anyone, covered up, of course. Still, those best moments were the late nights, when it was just us and I was half alseep.

It was only me they needed.

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I will be going on an incredibly emotional journey, as I am working with Medela on their newest initiative Medela Recycles. The program focuses on helping moms who have finished their breastfeeding journey help another mom start hers. Each pump they receive through the program will support the donation of new hospital-grade, multi-use breastpumps and supplies to Ronald McDonald House Charity. The goal is to provide moms with the same high-quality equipment they use at the hospital during their stay at a Ronald McDonald House.

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This Friday, I will be heading to the Ronald McDonald House in Long Island, where I will serve as a Medela Recycles ambassador and make a donation of two brand new Medela Symphony Preemie+ breastpumps on behalf of Medela.

I also plan to part ways with my pump through the Medela Recycles program. This one pump that was used for all three of my children is something that I held near and dear to me. I know I won’t be throwing it away, as the parts will be recycled and helping other mamas, but I can’t help feeling emotional about giving away that piece of my motherhood. Of course, I no longer have use for it, but my Medela Pump symbolizes my entire breastfeeding journey.

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The simple act of recycling your trusted pump through Medela Recycles provides you with both the peace of mind that your pump will be recycled properly, along with the added benefit of knowing you are supporting another mom on her new expedition during a challenging time.

Thank you Medela for sponsoring this post and letting me share my story. 

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