Dear Exclusively Pumping Mom...

Dear Exclusively Pumping Mom,

I'm just writing this to tell you...

I see you.

I see you there, hauling your pump around everywhere, looking for someplace private so you can collect those precious drops of milk to feed your baby.

I see you at the restaurant giving your baby a bottle. You wish you could just wear a sign that says "There is breast milk in this bottle." to anyone who may be casting a judgmental glance your way.

I see the look in your eyes when well-meaning breastfeeders try to give you advice on how to get your baby onto the breast. You smile and nod because you know they're not trying to be mean, but your eyes are so weary. They seem to be saying "I've tried! You have no idea how hard I've tried!"

I see you when friends and family keep asking, "Why you don't just use formula? She'll be just fine. I used formula and all my kids have superpowers." You shrug and tell them you're giving your baby what she needs and it's not that hard, really.

But it is hard, and you keep doing it anyway.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, when you wake up for your first pumping session, you wonder how long you can keep this up. Some days you're certain you can't do it anymore, and on those days you've dug deep and carried on.

Can I tell you a secret? I don't know if I could do what you do. I don't know if I have the strength and the resolve. I'd like to think that if I had to I would, but I know how hard it must be. And I know you probably make it look easier than it actually is.

You are awesome! Literally, I am in awe of you. I am so proud of all you've done and so humbled by your effort. Don't let anyone put you down or tell you that what you do doesn't matter, it does! It makes a world of difference. And I know if your baby could talk she would thank you for how hard you work to give her your milk when she was struggling to feed herself.

You are a breastfeeding mom. And what you do validates the rest of us. Your whole life is saying to the rest of the world, "It's worth it to give your baby mother's milk. It's worth being tired, it's worth being sore, it's worth the lost sleep and lost hours of free time. It's worth it to drag a machine around, and wash bottles, and sit alone in a closet because nursing facilities are limited." It really is.

Thank you, Exclusively Pumping Mom. Thank you, and keep on being awesome!