For all the Mamas reading this in the dark while you feed your babies—if you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone.

“I don’t know if I can do this anymore. I’m so exhausted, and I don’t think I’ve slept in days.” I whispered to my husband one night at three in the morning. I’d seen 3:00am way too many times that week. I was bone-tired, my body ached from bad nursing posture (something I still can’t get right) and I didn’t feel like myself anymore. This was my breaking point; I was ready to give-up on nursing entirely.

The truth for many of us is that there are beautiful bonding moments and very trying and difficult ones too.

The realties of breastfeeding look nothing like the sweet, simple snuggling that we sometimes see portrayed online or in movies. The truth for many of us is that there are beautiful bonding moments and very trying and difficult ones too. “Dream feedings” that seem to last the whole night, feeling trapped at home because you are nursing and can’t miss the next feeding—these are the realities and stresses that can go along with being a new mother.

Breastfeeding both of my sons has been such an amazing bonding experience, but there have also been many challenges. There were many times, especially with my first, when I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore. The days sometimes felt long and the night feedings were tough. It often felt like all of the feedings were my responsibility, and that meant I wasn’t sleeping very much at all. Thankfully that one desperate night helped me realize something needed to change. I knew I needed to share the work of feeding.

I came across the PlaytexBaby™ Nurser with Drop-Ins when my oldest was still a newborn, and to be completely honest, they ended up becoming our go-to bottles. I was so worried that he wasn’t going to like using a bottle, but the transition from breast-to-bottle was so smooth. The nipple and bag combination simulates the same type of sucking, swallowing and breathing motions as the breast, making it easier to transition back and forth. The bag also helps to prevent air from mixing with the milk, helping to prevent gas. We also didn’t have a dishwasher at the time, so the drop-in liners cut down on the washing and sanitizing—a huge win.

I was so worried that he wasn’t going to like using a bottle, but the transition from breast-to-bottle was so smooth.

With our youngest, we use the PlaytexBaby™ VentAire® bottles. He’s sitting up a lot more now, so the VentAire® bottles are perfect for the semi-upright feeding stage he’s in. The anti-colic bottom vent also prevents air from mixing with the milk. This means less gassiness and a happy baby. PlaytexBaby™ also make medium and slow flow nipples, giving you options and allowing the bottles to grow with your little one.

When I discovered how much freedom came with pumping and finding bottles that worked for us, it made such a huge difference. Sure, pumping can be pretty tiresome when you get down to it, but that little bit of effort is so worth it for me. It means that I can leave my little one for a few hours to work, go to the store on my own, or even get my hair done. And my favourite thing right now is that my husband will often feed my babe on a Saturday morning and hang out with our toddler so I can get a bit more rest. Of course, all of this has the added bonus of giving my husband a chance to bond with our littles.

I’m so grateful to have been able to breastfeed both of my sons. But I’m even more grateful that there are options like the PlaytexBaby™ Nurser with Drop-Ins and PlaytexBaby™ VentAire® bottles that help make the transition from breast-to-bottle so smooth. Help with feedings from my husband gives me a chance to work, take time for myself or rest when I need to. In short, it gave me the support I needed to keep nursing.

Congratulations to Samantha Aubin of Ottawa, ON for winning the Playtex Baby Bottle Giveaway