Dear Breasts,

Happy New Year, Boobs! It’s 2024 and you are officially done breastfeeding for the rest of time. I just wanted to let you know that I am proud of you. You are survivors and you deserve recognition for all you’ve done.

Thank you, Breasts for feeding two beautiful boys for a total of 2 years and 8 months. You persevered through some pretty tough times. Remember that time Ember refused a bottle, but was teething so he wouldn’t nurse without screaming?! You recovered miraculously after that dip in production.

Or how about the countless chomps from razor sharp teeth from both boys? Or how Ember has a tight and shallow latch for his first few months leaving your nipples swollen, bloody, and scabbed? That was rough, but you stuck it out until his latch improved. Remember how you tried to take a trip away for the weekend when Archer was only 5 months old and you were completely confused by how much milk to produce from the inconsistency of pumping, so you were engorged for three days then empty once you saw Archer again. Yea that was nearly impossible.

But hey, you survived the roller coaster that was breastfeeding. Thank you for providing nutrients and antibodies to each both when they were sick. Thanks for always being ready for a midnight or 2am or 3am or 5am feeding. They never were consistent.

It wasn’t easy work, but you survived the ups and downs of it all. Thank you for baring with me. The last week was rough feeling our final days coming to an end and Archer not wanting your comfort anymore. It sure is bittersweet to raise babies who grow up fast.

Thanks for being a pillow for their tired heads, a pacifier for their wild cries, and a comfort for their fussy nights. You both made this journey easier for my boys and I am grateful you stuck with me for as long as we all needed you.

Enjoy your retirement!

Love,

Melissa and her boys