Breastfeeding Makes Us Happy

Many mothers start breastfeeding simply because they’ve heard about the health benefits it gives their babies. However, after a while many mothers start to enjoy breastfeeding more than they expected. Some LLL Asia mothers tell us why breastfeeding puts a smile on Mummy’s face.

​I feel happiest when I watch my daughter search desperately for my breast and when she finds it latches on, drinks, and is satisfied. Also when my oldest at two years of age would pull my shirt up and help himself at night to a drink at my breast.
Satomi Suzuki
LLL Wakkanai, Japan

The happiest thing about breastfeeding for me was watching the unblemished joy and pleasure it gave to my two boys.
Allison Croft
LLL Mongolia

Looking down at my baby and seeing her eyes roll in ecstasy when she takes that first drink is something only a breastfeeding mother can see. Also, when my in-laws came to stay I had the perfect escape. Erin and I would head upstairs and climb into bed together; while she would feed I would read my book. It was bliss and no one could accuse me of being antisocial - I was just feeding my baby.
Nanno Stokes
LLL Singapore
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Being able to nurse Yosuke right after birth was a very special moment for me since I was unable to do this with my first child. Seeing my son grow on just my milk gives me a very happy feeling.
Yuriko Saito
LLL Wakkanai, Japan

Witnessing the miracle of two healthy babies grown solely on my breast milk was a powerful confirmation of my womanhood and importance as a mother. I gained new respect for my body and reveled in the fact that I could provide something so important to the health and happiness of my children.
Melanie Wilson
LLL Mongolia

I think the happiest thing about breastfeeding for me is how enthusiastic Aurelia is when she is nursing, often grabbing onto my breast with both hands and gulping down the milk. She always looks so content afterwards and it still amazes me that after two years of breastfeeding, something that is so simple and natural can make her so extremely happy!
Diana Marsh
LLL Singapore
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​Watching my daughter smile while she nurses and knowing that she needs me are when I feel the happiest.
Sachiko Tanaka
LLL Wakkanai, Japan
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I love the way my daughter asks to nurse with her special word "pai" and how she contentedly falls back to sleep or goes back to play after nursing.
Makiko Iwamoto
LLL Wakkanai, Japan

I am happy just being able to breastfeed. When my daughter tells me my milk tastes good, I feel especially happy!
Omura Hiroko
LLL Wakkanai, Japan
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When my daughter Emily was first born she was unable to breastfeed. She was desperate to latch on but just could not manage it. The doctors were worried she was losing too much weight and were pushing me to give her formula; I was devastated. With the encouragement of my LLL Group Leader I refused the formula, expressed my milk and bottle fed it to her. When I came home from hospital I continued to have support from my LLL Group Leader who kept telling me to persevere with trying and that one day Emily would manage to latch on. To be honest, I really didn't believe her! However, after three weeks it eventually happened. Emily latched on and breastfed normally – it was the best feeling. My daughter is now a very healthy and happy six-month-old, and I feel a huge sense of achievement. That for me is the nicest thing about breastfeeding.
Caroline Shuttleworth
LLL Taipei, Taiwan

Close to the Heart Vol. 8, No. 2 (Mid-Year 2007)

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