I debated about making this a series, and then I remembered what it was like to have a new baby. You really need everything all in one place. So, for your convenience, a ridiculously long (but hopefully interesting) post about breastfeeding. Boy's look away.
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| Only a few hour old. About to attempt nursing for the second time. |
As
Wiggles and I begin (well, complete) the weaning process I find myself thinking
about the beginning of this journey. I have been so blessed to be successful at
nursing for so long (over a year. Yay!). I know that there are a lot of women out there who have
not had it as easy as I have had it. However, that does not mean it was easy
for me! Only that it was easier for me than it is for some women. The first few weeks
were rough. Really rough. So rough in fact that I almost gave up. I am so glad
that I didn't! And I wanted to share what I learned to encourage other women
not to give up either! It does get easier for almost every one, I promise.
So
here's what I've learned:
1)
You know your baby and you know your body. From the moment you are handed that
slippery, beautiful creature, this is true. This means that you have the right to
tell the hospital not to give your little one a pacifier or a bottle in the
nursery. It can cause babies not to want to take the breast and can fill them up so they aren't motivated to try and nurse. Some people even print out a sign to stick on their baby's bassinet in
the hospital nursery that tells nurses to bring her to you if she's hungry,
even in the middle of the night.
This
also means that you do not have to agree to supplemental feeding. This is where
the actually attach a device to your breast so that baby can practice nursing
and get some formula at the same time. This actually hurts your chances of
nursing long term! The way your milk works is based on supply and demand. If
baby is getting some formula the demand is less and therefore you make less
milk. When they take the formula away, your body isn't producing enough milk to
satisfy your baby. That doesn't mean you can't increase your milk supply, but I
have always found it way harder to increase milk supply rather than decrease.
At the end of the day, this baby belongs to you. You are not a terrible mother if you decide to do something different than "they" are telling you. You are also not a terrible mother if your baby really does need this help, or even if you end up using formula. It won't scar your baby or stunt her intellectual growth and you will still be just as close to her as any other breastfeeding mother. I was a formula baby and I took AP classes and my mom is my best friend so, release yourself from that guilt.
2)
It does hurt at first. Don't let anyone tell you differently. However,
conversely, don't let it scare you either. I think that all of the lactation
consultants and pro-breastfeeding groups want so badly for you to stick with
breastfeeding that they don't want to scare you away by being honest. The truth
is, for the first few days (or weeks if you're me) it's not much fun and it can
be very frustrating if it doesn't get better quickly. A good rule of thumb is,
if it's still more than mildly uncomfortable a few days after your milk comes
in, get help! You can get it for free. More on that later.
3)
Research what a good "latch" looks like. YouTube is a fabulous place
to look. If the baby is latching correctly, half the battle is won. If baby isn't doing it right, it
will only frustrate him (he won’t be getting milk fast enough) and hurt you.
Ease your finger in his mouth to release the suction and try again. This could
take several tries at each feeding. I know it did for me.
4)
I wish someone had told me this before I started instead of when I was about to
call it quits. It is so important,
especially for first time moms, to remember that you are new at this!
And so is your baby. Neither one of you has ever done this before, and it takes practice for
everyone.
5)
You need this: Earth Mama, Angel Baby Nipple Butter. I tried
several products and this was the best. You have to get it at stores like New Seasons or Zuppan's. It's all-natural so you don't have to
rinse it off like you do lanolin before feeding (which for me would have been
excruciating). Plus it smells fantastic. It helped me heal so much faster!
6)
Correct undergarments are essential. I really think that half my problem was
that I hadn't gotten a nursing bra yet, and because I was nursing so often, I
wasn't really wearing a bra at all. One word: chafing. That is all I have to
say about that.
7)
I was told that I had to actually wake my child up to eat every 2-3 hours
around the clock for four weeks. This is absurd! Don't misunderstand me, this
is actually true for the first few days, but after about a week LET THEM BE (as long as they are gaining weight well)! Again, you know your child! If you think they need to eat more, by all means, keep waking them up; or if you think
after four days they're getting enough you know best. If they're sleeping, they
need to be sleeping. Feed them when they wake up. The longest Wiggles ever
slept at that age was four hours anyway. My lactation consultant did tell me
never longer than 5 hours though, so that was my rule of thumb.
8)
Get help! Can I double underline and triple exclamation point that? Do not be ashamed that it's taking some time to click for you. There
are many places you can go (and also a few that will come to you) if you are
having trouble. My midwife had a few suggestions, so start there. Many
hospitals will help you without charge and there is always La Lech League,
which is an international organization dedicated to helping women breastfeed
for as long as possible. They have classes and lactation consultants that will help you free of charge. I was lucky enough to have my mom’s best friend (she
was a nurse in a birthing center for years), who is like another mom to me,
come and help me through the roughest part. I still am so grateful to her. She
gave me back my baby. I will never be able to thank her enough for that. My
point is, get help. You'll be glad you did.
9)
Relax! Relax when you are breastfeeding. Your body “lets down,” which is where
the ducts holding the milk release it from the back and bring it to the front
of your breast. It will not do this if you are tense. After my moms friend came
to help me, I used to nurse with a Boppy pillow (buy this! It saved me. No really, you need it), and
about four others, under my arms, behind my back. Anything to get comfortable.
Then, once baby is latched correctly, relax as many muscles as you can. Legs, arms, neck, forehead, hands, feet. I’m not kidding. Every muscle you can without dropping
the baby.
10)
Switch positions every other time. It will help your nipples heal faster. I
switched between the cross-cradle hold (this is a great beginner hold. Lot's of control) and the football hold. Although, since she was
about three months I almost exclusively nurse lying on my side facing her. It’s
way easier to relax this way (see number nine). However, you can’t do this
until baby can hold their own head enough to keep the nipple in their mouth. This site explains latching and positions simply and with pictures (make sure to scroll down. I didn't see them at first).
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| So teeny! |
I know it's a long post, but I hope that it helps you prepare for baby, or encourages you to keep trucking! Not that there's anyone out there reading this, but if you are and you have questions, leave a comment and I will answer as best I can or direct you to someone who can.
Breast of luck! (Haha, I'm so clever!)
Jillian
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