• 4th Tri Bodies Gallery
  • Events / Participate
    • Tour Schedule
    • Event Schedule
    • Participate
    • FAQ
    • Previous Cities
  • About
    • Mission
    • Ashlee Dean Wells
    • Laura Weetzie Wilson
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Conferences
    • body. breast. baby.
    • Portland, OR
    • Chicago, IL
  • Book a Session
  • Buy Merch
  • Contact
  • Mailing List
  • Media
  • Sponsors
  • Menu

4th Trimester Bodies Project

  • 4th Tri Bodies Gallery
  • Events / Participate
    • Tour Schedule
    • Event Schedule
    • Participate
    • FAQ
    • Previous Cities
  • About
    • Mission
    • Ashlee Dean Wells
    • Laura Weetzie Wilson
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Conferences
    • body. breast. baby.
    • Portland, OR
    • Chicago, IL
  • Book a Session
  • Buy Merch
  • Contact
  • Mailing List
  • Media
  • Sponsors

Susanne Angerer

June 05, 2015 in 4th Trimester Bodies

Susanne Angerer and Coraline (2.5 years old)

"In my mid 20's, when I still believed I didn't want to be a parent, I recall going into the bathroom at work and hearing someone pumping, only not knowing what it was. When a coworker told me, I laughed and said, "Like a cow?! How gross!" It was less than tactful and said loudly in full audible range of whoever was in the room pumping. If younger me could see me now, she would totally blush. Current me would like to sincerely apologize to that momma. Against all the odds, she was working hard for her baby at home.

While pregnant, I fully intended to go immediately back to work. I couldn't imagine any other way. However, as I did my due diligence in researching options like diapering, feeding, car seat safety and the million other things that bombard new parents, it became very clear breastfeeding even just one drop had a too many benefits to ignore. So, I set forth the goal of breastfeeding until 6 months. Nothing beyond that, because obviously my child would easily transition to solids and would manage off whatever I pumped at work or formula, if I had to supplement. When the time came to go back to work my baby wouldn't take a bottle. I had so much anxiety about my work situation and the care of this fragile, sweet little being. So, after delaying with every possible leave I had, I finally submitted my notice to quit because I just couldn't go back. We made it to six months. It wasn't easy. I doubted myself a ton and muddled through. I went to Le Leche League meetings for weigh-ins and to listen to others stories to commiserate. I followed every thread on "Breastfeed, Chicago!" like my life depended on it, or that of my sweet little baby, who had a super slow growth rate. Nursing has never been without quite a bit of discomfort as it turns out my daughter had a lip tie, that despite my asking her pediatrician, went undiagnosed until she was about two.

When my daughter was about four months old we went to a MommyCon event where I saw mothers nursing toddlers. It was the first time I'd ever seen or even heard of such a thing. I'll admit to being turned off by it at first and thinking how weird that would be. Kids should surely be weaned when they can ask for it, right? Well, we never set out to nurse into toddlerhood but here we are. It has been an amazing way to reconnect and provide an extra boost to my childs nutrition. This journey has looked nothing like I imagined, but has been perfect for us. And it has taught me so much. Coraline is now 30 months and she doesn't seem to be interested in weaning."

Tags: Chicago, pumping, breastfeeding, breastfeeding complications, Le Leche League, Breastfeed, Breastfeed Chicago!, MommyCon
Prev / Next
  • February 2019 2
  • January 2019 29
  • December 2018 16
  • November 2018 27
  • October 2018 50
  • September 2018 28
  • August 2018 14
  • July 2018 34
  • June 2018 34
  • May 2018 5
  • April 2018 9
  • March 2018 20
  • February 2018 8
  • January 2018 6
  • December 2017 22
  • October 2017 13
  • September 2017 26
  • August 2017 19
  • July 2017 17
  • June 2017 7
  • May 2017 10
  • April 2017 2
  • February 2017 1
  • January 2017 25
  • December 2016 2
  • November 2016 17
  • October 2016 17
  • September 2016 38
  • August 2016 14
  • July 2016 26
  • June 2016 33
  • May 2016 16
  • April 2016 33
  • March 2016 28
  • February 2016 20
  • January 2016 26
  • December 2015 30
  • November 2015 30
  • October 2015 48
  • September 2015 23
  • August 2015 34
  • July 2015 24
  • June 2015 51
  • May 2015 29
  • April 2015 40
  • March 2015 35
  • February 2015 75
  • January 2015 53
  • December 2014 32
  • November 2014 47
  • October 2014 46
  • September 2014 54
  • August 2014 45
  • July 2014 65
  • June 2014 50
  • May 2014 22
  • April 2014 43
  • March 2014 73
  • February 2014 46
  • January 2014 34
  • December 2013 9
  • November 2013 20
  • October 2013 39
  • September 2013 22
  • August 2013 31
  • July 2013 3
  • June 2013 6