In honor of national breastfeeding awareness month, I thought I would post about my current journey through breastfeeding.
I’m not going to lie, girls, in the beginning I was down about it. I felt like a cow. I felt like I couldn’t get up off the couch or even get a wink of sleep. And it hurt. I had thoughts of “is this really worth it? can I handle being the baby’s only source of nourishment?”
They say if you are doing it correctly, then it won’t hurt. To them I say HA! “They” must be a bunch of men who have never had a baby stuck to their sore cracked nipple every hour during a clusterfeeding marathon the first week a newborn is alive. Yes, I was doing everything correctly. Yes, the baby was latched on right. I even worked with a lactation consultant.
The truth is, you need to toughen up. Your nipples that is. Just like playing guitar (which I do) you need to build up a toughness in order for it to be, dare I say it, enjoyable. Now, exactly 3 months later I am wiz at the breastfeeding. I know the hungry cry, I know the positions, and my baby is happy after every feeding. And I feel good about sticking with it. Breastfeeding is another way after giving birth that you can feel like super woman.
I do have a funny story though. When I was in the hospital after having L, I whipped out the boppy pillow to lay the baby on to learn how to breastfeed. Now, ladies, I was well endowed in the boob area to begin with – but when my milk came in WOOBOY! My lactation nazi came in (we lovingly call her that, as I have known her for a very long time) took one look at me and laughed. “Oh hunny,” she said “I’m afraid your nipples aren’t up high enough for that pillow!” And she was right! I am really jealous of those women who can lay their babies on a pillow hands free and feed their babies…But on the other hand, I do love holding my sweet baby close 8-10 times a day.
So if you have gotten past the soreness, and the sudden feeding schedule – good for you! And keep going!! You and your baby will benefit in the long run.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
My boys were both on breast milk for 6 months. I breast fed for the first 4 weeks but then I switched to the machine (I had to go back to work). No soreness, no blood, no infections, etc. etc. Love the machine!
Oh meg that is too funny! It is also World Breastfeeding Week. Check out my post from yesterday at http://www.mommywords.com! Go milking mommies!
Ouch Tami! I have heard of that happening, where the milk is pink or red with blood… I don't blame you, if I would have went through that I would have stopped too!
LOL, lactation Nazi, I love that.
I tried the breast feeding with my last son, 2 weeks is about all I could handle. My boobs were literally BLEEDING! 2:00am I went to our grocery store and bought formula, then cried for the rest of the day.
My boobies thanked me though!