The Baby Files {Breastfeeding}

Breastfeeding is hard, at least in the beginning.  That’s what a lot of people told me, but I wasn’t really ready for how hard it would be or for how much I would want to throw in the towel and give Caroline a bottle.  I know that formula is not evil, I was perfectly comfortable with the idea of formula feeding Caroline if breastfeeding didn’t work for us, but the reasons I wanted to switch her over in moments of weakness were purely selfish.  So I stuck with breastfeeding.  And I am so glad I did.

Here’s what I did to make sure that we gave breastfeeding our best shot.

1) Jeromy came with me to the breastfeeding class.  He complained that he didn’t need to go to the class because he would never be able to breastfeed the baby, but he walked out of the class with as much knowledge as I did.  This made a huge difference in the first few weeks because whenever I wasn’t sure of myself {or was just too tired to remember} Jeromy reminded me of what we learned in class.  I’m not sure I would have been able to get through the first couple of days of breastfeeding Caroline without Jeromy’s help.

2) I told the labor and delivery nurse I wanted to feed Caroline as soon as possible after birth.  I had no idea what frame of mind I would be in after Caroline’s birth and I didn’t want to forget to feed her within the first hour or two so I asked the nurse to make sure it happened.  Once our parents had met Caroline and gone back to the waiting room, I fed Caroline for the first time.  I put her in a position that was comfortable for both of us, then she latched on and started sucking.  It felt strange, but natural.

3) I asked questions. I took advantage of the lactation consultants at the hospital, friends who had breastfed their babies and a friend who is a postpartum nurse.  Because I asked questions, I was able to figure out that Caroline was latching wrong and how to fix it.

And one thing I should have done:

Remember that breastfeeding should not be painful. The nurses had told me that the initial latch would be toe-curling {and it was!} but that I should not be in pain otherwise.  I was in pain during feedings and in between feedings, to the point that I dreaded feeding Caroline.  I had myself convinced that it was normal and I just had to get used to it, when in actuality, Caroline was not latching properly which resulted in cracked and bleeding nipples for me. {Sorry for TMI, just keeping it real!}  Once I figured this out and fixed it, it took another week or so to heal and the pain began to go away.  After four and a half weeks I was feeding Caroline without any pain at all, even when she latched.

Now, eight weeks later, I can tell you that I love breastfeeding.  It’s really convenient and I love the time I am able to spend with Caroline so close to me.  The first time I gave my daughter a bottle I cried.  Ridiculous, I know.

Like pregnancy, breastfeeding is incredibly personal and unique to each mother and child.   Eight weeks of breastfeeding does not make me an expert but if you have any questions I’m happy to tell you about my experience. Just leave a comment or e-mail me at thesplatteredapron@gmail.com.

Tagged as: baby, breastfeeding