Hilary Duff is a working mom of two, and even though we all think celebrities have a trillion nannies to take care of their kids, Duff is one of those celebrities who does it (mostly) all herself. The actress and singer has a seven-year-old son named Luca with ex-husband Mike Comrie, as well as a six-month-old baby girl named Banks with her boyfriend Matthew Koma.
Duff has always been open about her struggles, including body image issues. She's not afraid to call out the paparazzi when they take photos of her on the beach, then try and make her feel bad about cellulite or whatever else they perceive to be "wrong" with her body. Duff is also not afraid to talk about the issues she's had with her daughter, including Banks not sleeping or never stopping crying.
This time, Duff is speaking to all moms who breastfeed, talking about how hard it is to juggle while you're working, and how much of a toll it takes on your body. She penned what could really be called an essay, going in-depth on how much of a struggle the decision to stop breastfeeding her daughter was.
THIS ONE'S FOR THE LADIES Just a few thoughts that I wanted to share on Breast-feeding. Last week was my last week nursing Banks (my six month old) I am a working mom of two. My goal was to get my little girl to six months and then decide if I (and her of course) wanted to keep going. Let me tell you. Pumping at work sucks. I had zero down time and am usually pumping in a hair and make up trailer while four hands work to get me ready for the next scene with lots of other people around.
Even if I had the luxury to be in my own room, it's not even considered a "break" because you have to sit upright for the milk to flow into the bottles! Plus you are having your damn nipples tugged at by an aggressive machine that makes an annoying sound, that echoes through your head day and night (I swear that machine and I had many conversations at midnight and 3 am)!
Ttttthen having to find someplace to sterilize bottles and keep your milk cold (ok I'm done with that rant lol)! Anyway, I didn't know this because with Luca I didn't work until he was about nine months old, so I didn't pump very often. Your milk supply drastically drops when you stop feeding as often and lose the actual contact and connection with your baby (😞). So I was eating all the feunugreek goats butt blessed thistle fennel cookies/drops/shakes/pills I could get my hands on! It was maddening. (Does fenugreek make anyone else smell like maple syrup and rubber gloves?...not chill)
With all of this complaining, I want to say I enjoyed (almost) every moment of feeding my daughter. Felt so lucky to be so close to her and give her that start. I know many women are not able to and for that I am sympathetic and very grateful that I could. For six wonderful months. But I needed a break. I was going to break.
With the stress of a dropping milk supply and a baby that was getting bored or not caring about nursing when I was available to. I was sad and frustrated and feeling like a failure all of the time. When really I'm a bad ass rock star. Moms get high on feeling like superwoman...because we are! Doing too much, because we can!
But somehow stuck on the feeling we can always do a little more! We are strong as hell over-achievers. I am amazed at all that we can do in one single day! That goes for myself, my mom friends, my mom, or my sister! I'm talking to you too mom, I don't know who's reading this. I wanted to share this because deciding to stop BFing was so emotional and hard.
I thought about it ALL day everyday. It was a constant loop in my head. Weighing the pros and cons. And half of the time I wasn't making any sense. It was about me, and not Banks at that point. I cried many times and felt so depressed while weening. I wasn't myself at all. Something scary was hovering over my brain and my heart...the part of me that I know is smart and rational.
The lows felt horrible. I was missing good time with my baby. But I was really missing that natural oxytocin high. Those chemicals are powerful hormones and no joke. I am happy to say that I haven't fed or pumped in three days and it's crazy how fast you can come out on the other side. I feel fine and happy and relieved and silly that I even stressed on it so hard.
Banks is thriving and I get even more time with her and daddy gets to do more feeds! And mommy gets a tiny bit more sleep! Whether you are pre or postpartum. Or just a busy mom, You are a 🦸" everyday for all that you do.
Always putting yourself last and running a mile a minute...while carrying all of the bags lol Love you all and hope this helps anyone struggling! See you nursing bras✌🻠until next time!
Duff's post went totally viral, with people applauding her for her honesty and hard work.
"THIS THIS THIS! 🙌🻠this is so important for moms to hear! thank you!!!" one person wrote.
"I am crying real tears reading this!!!! I feel you!!! Cheers to you! If anyone hasn't told you today 🗣🗣YOU'RE A GREAT MOM!! 🙌ðŸ¾â¤ï¸" someone else said.
"damn. This was very well written and hits straight through the heart. My goal is 6 months as well. Here's hoping. 🤞ðŸ»" another wrote.
In the end, every mom does what's right for them and their child, but there is so much shame around breastfeeding for some reason, that seeing a celebrity speak out about the hardships of it is really great.
