My little one is completely hooked on breastfeeding. She loves it so much that she flat-out refuses to take a bottle, even if it’s filled with breast milk. We’re talking full-blown tantrums and tears if anyone dares to offer her anything other than me.
My partner, Jake, doesn’t quite understand why her clinginess drives me to my wits’ end. But honestly, how can he not see it? I’m walking around in a haze of sleep deprivation, fueled only by the hope of caffeine. I feel almost… trapped. Even running a simple errand fills me with guilt. What if she gets hungry? What if she cries the whole time I’m out?!
I can laugh about how my once modest B cups have turned into the main event, but the exhaustion is real. Sure, breastfeeding is a beautiful journey — just not at 4 a.m. during our third round of nighttime feedings. Jake keeps saying he’ll help get her used to a bottle, but that’s yet to happen. And when he says any of these things after a particularly long night, I can’t help but feel a surge of irritation:
- “I’m so tired.” Really? You had a full night’s sleep on the couch while I was up with the baby.
- “She was only up twice? That’s not too bad!” Unless you were the one getting up, which you definitely weren’t.
- “Just let her cry next time.” Great plan! I can’t wait for a wide-awake baby and a cranky toddler both screaming at 2 a.m.
- “I understand.” Nope, you really don’t. You know how I can tell? You’ve never spent a sleepless night nursing our child.
- “Just cut her off. She doesn’t need to eat for half an hour.” Sure, I’ll just explain that to her, and we’ll all magically drift off to sleep.
- “Thanks for the update.” Yes, he actually said this to me at 5 a.m. when I woke him up in tears because I hadn’t slept a wink all night.
- “She just needs to learn to take a bottle.” Yes, she does! So when do you plan on helping with that?
I can’t even.
What’s the most exasperating thing your partner has said after a long night of nursing?
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Summary
In the chaotic world of new parenthood, sleepless nights and the challenges of breastfeeding can lead to some frustrating exchanges with partners. From misunderstandings about exhaustion to misguided advice, these moments can test even the strongest relationships. Remember, open communication is key as you navigate this beautiful yet demanding journey of parenthood.