Breastfeeding is an incredible thing. The fact that you can nourish your baby entirely from your body is magical. Having said that, let’s face it, breastfeeding can also be awkward, hilarious, painful and vexing at times. Every mom has a unique relationship with breastfeeding. Every mom and her journey is different from the other. Even though pre-natal classes and expert advice on breastfeeding helps a new mum a great deal, eventually when she breastfeeds her baby she needs to figure out her own survival kit the first few days. One must keep reading and listening to breastfeeding stories to know there always does exist a Plan B.
You have read my breastfeeding story on the blog. If not, you can read it here.
In this post, my kid sister, who delivered a baby a few months ago shares her breastfeeding story. Read on what she has to say.
The Initial Struggle
I always thought “having” a child was the difficult part of the parenting package and raising him would be relatively easy. Boy! I was wrong, and how!
Birthing happened, and now it was time to get to breastfeeding.
I did not start lactating immediately after giving birth, Or the next day, or the day after that. It was only on the fifth day that I started producing milk. Maybe, that kicked in the post partum blues (that is a story for another time).
Inspite of the milk coming in, on the fifth day, I was not able to breastfeed.
For someone with heavier breasts I had fairly smaller nipples. So with no idea what to do i would only shove the nipple into my baby’s mouth. This left me with cracked nipples and excruciating pain. So much so that my eyes would well up every time my baby demanded a feed. That inturn made me dread his waking up. I am going to be honest, without the fear of you judging me!
Help!
After about two weeks of incorrect postures, pain and bucketful of tears I decided to take expert help. At that time, I wanted to give myself and breastfeeding one last chance before I gave up. I called a Lactation expert. She came over and things began to turn, not miraculously but gradually.
Here are some things I learnt from her that have been a big help :
• Part of aroela should go into babies mouth along with the nipple.
• Pinch the area around your nipples and get it closer to your baby’s mouth only when it is completely open.
• Pinch parallel to the lips of your baby.
• Do not force your nipple into a baby’s mouth when it is shut. Allow her to latch on.
• Do not give up!
• position your nipple facing your baby’s nose, this way she will lift her head and open her mouth to latch on
• Don’t count minutes on each breast. Feed for as long as the baby demands or until she comes off. You can latch again at the same breast the next time too
• It is absolutely okay to feed while you lie down. Only make sure you and your baby are comfortable and safe
• Don’t let the baby’s weight discourage you. Until you notice a significant drop or an abnormality, continue to breastfeed solely
• Take expert help without thinking too much over it
• Don’t punish yourself for anything.
These are tips and tricks that worked for me. They may work well for you too or something else might. Incase it doesn’t, I think we must all always remember, that the Breast could be better but the BEST is fed!
We have all seen pictures of happy mums, breastfeeding their angelic infants making it look so easy. It may not necessarily be the case with you. But fret not! Sooner when you will know how to feed, how to latch, what to do and what not to do, you will realise breastfeeding is magical and totally worth all the pain.
Thank you for sharing these tips! Very helpful for moms who struggle with breastfeeding their little ones. I myself went through the challenges, but I must say, with the right mindset and strong support group, breastfeeding would eventually feel fulfilling and rewarding. 🙂