My experience as a young single mother.

I fell pregnant when I was sixteen and a half, to my partner of one and a half year's.

It was a huge (but wonderful) shock, I enjoyed my pregnancy just like any expectant mother does.

 When my son was born, I was 17 I had a hospital birth and he was born a very healthy 7 pound 14.The staff at the hospital treated me with very poor respect in hindsight I should have complainted to the hospital, but I wont go in to detail here.From birth I breastfed him though sheer determination, it was very difficult, but I had read about breast milk and breastfeeding almost every day since I found out I was pregnant.I knew it would be difficult and very demanding.I over come a few problems like mastitis three times, bleeding cracked nipple's ect to be able to continune to breastfeed him.Alot of people told me I should quit but that was the one thing that I really wanted to do for my baby boy.And I am glad I stuck though with it, because it got so much easier.People seemed to talk to me like I knew nothing about my baby and tryed to put me down/tell me I was "doing it wrong" but I didnt let it get to me, I just smiled and told them "thanks, but I will do things my way".One thing I will say though is "demand" feeding, really is DEMAND feeding!! lol.

When my son was six months, me and my sons dad agreed to end our relationship, so I was a single mother from then on.It was a relief as we only really stayed together so long because we had a baby together, we had both changed so much we tryed to make it work but we just were not in love any more.At first I cryed a lot because I didnt want that for my child, I always wanted to fall in love the the guy of my dreams and have babies and stay together.But I knew that it was the best for us all.I have just promised myself that no matter what I will always treat my ex nicely and be a good role model for my son.As my parents broke up when I was 11 and sadly my dad has never had a nice thing to say about my mum and it still upsets me.He still see's his child and loves him and buy's him presents, but he just acts like a typical young person now and parties alot.

My son is now nine months old, walking and still breastfeeding, I love him with all my heart, the love I have for him is so strong I cant even explain how I feel for him. I just turned eighteen having my son changed me so much, I have so many more moral's then what I had before I had him.Being a mother is just such a beautiful, wonderful, amazing ,heart wenching thing.

Some people can be quite rude to me when they see me wearing him in his carrier when we are out and about.And at first it shocked me how rude people could be.I have gotten more used to it now, but I still dont understand why people can be so rude.When I meet other teenagers they can be quite shocked when I say I have a nine month old son.Apparently I look younger than my age and I guess it is a huge unexpected shock factor.People ask me how I manage, "being young, and all", but to me, it doesnt seem like a loss or even difficult.I guess when you love some one so much you just do things for them out of love and never stop and think twice about it.I dont really know what to say when people ask me "how I manage being so young", but, to me, it is just the same thing that any other mum does.I guess there are a few extra thing's I will have to over come by having a baby young, like, getting an education.This can be a problem if you are a teenager who didnt do this, like me.But I am happy to leave that and stay home and give my son the start I believe he deserves.I will be doing a part time course mid this year.

Over all though, I really feel that most of the difficulties I face are due to being a single mother rather than a young mother.(lack of emotional support, difficultly juggling work/studies with a little one, finacial stress) ect ect.But I really dont let that get the better of me, I am an incredibly stong young woman and I know that I can give my son everything he needs and deserves.

So to any young (or single mother), I just want to say be strong there are lots of other people probly going though similar situations as you.If any one wants to ask me for any advice I will be happy to help out.Take care