Making it work...
Had our first prenatal breastfeeding class last night, it was pretty good. I went in fully expecting the one-sided view that "breast is best" so it didn't really throw me when that's exactly what we got - a lot of information on "boob-good, formula-bad", the areas in which breastfed kids do better, etc. That stuff i basically knew, and pretty much tuned out for. (the one thing of note that i learned is that powdered formula is not very safe as there is no way to ensure that it's sterile from certain bugs/bacteria - babies have been known to get meningitis due to powdered formula. Concentrate or ready-to-go is safe.)
The interesting part was just hearing about all the options and different things to try if you do end up facing difficulties in breastfeeding, instead of automatically "giving up" and switching to formula. Our current goal is to try to breastfeed exclusively until about 6-8mos (adding the recommended solids around 6 mos, of course), but i have been concerned about "what if things don't go well?", so to hear that there are a number of things to try before making the choice to switch was reassuring. I'm a pretty determined person (to a point), and i am also the type of person who will exhaust all available options before "giving up" on something that i had set my mind to. So the class gave me hope that with this attitude, we should be able to get past the difficulties that do arise, and should be able to make that 6-8mos goal.
Anyone out there want to share their experiences with breastfeeding? Am i being too idealistic/optimistic or are my thoughts pretty reasonable? If you feel comfortable sharing, what challenges have you faced and what things did you try to address them? At what point do you decide that for your own sanity/baby's health that it was time for formula? Or did you choose to not breastfeed at all?
Labels: breastfeeding
posted by LJE @ 9:04 AM
10 Comments:
Hey Lyn, I'd love to share my breastfeeding experience with you. I was out for coffee the other day with a friend and told her a little bit about it and she kept saying "I can't believe you kept breastfeeding!" b/c I had lots of problems with getting Madeline latched on, mastitis, plus the 4th degree tearing that I had (all over CHristmas!). I have a baby tips thing that I typed up for a friend and I'll email it to you if you like. You can contact me through my web page so I can get your email, if you like. I think it's fairly informative, in that it doesn't b.s. what dealing with a newborn is like -- plus, it's pretty entertaining!!! ;)
Honestly, I had the perfect breastfeeding experience with Jared. There was the odd time at the beginning that I had to re-latch him because he wasn't on properly, but other than that, he was a pro! And he was given formula in the NICU - something which infuriated me, since they didn't specifically ask permission (it's implied in the general form you sign when Baby goes into the NICU). But they were really good about calling me whenever he was hungry and I always nursed first. And despite the bottle, he still caught on just fine. So I don't have any horror stories. I will say that it still can be painful. They say that if Baby is latched on you won't feel pain. WRONG! At the beginning, you will. It only makes sense - your nipple is a part of you that doesn't get yanked on all that often, so when it starts happening for 20 minutes at a time every 3 hours, of course it's going to take a bit for them to toughen up! After a few days, they get used to it and it's fine. I also felt what I thought was a plugged duct a couple of times, and I immediately took a super-hot bath and put a washcloth on that spot and kept massaging it. Then I made sure that Jared's lower lip was drawing from that spot and both times it went away by lunch. So that's my advice. Oh, and if you have troubles, I have a friend who is a breast-feeding guru, and I'll get her to give you a visit. She's a nurse and is currently on a part-time contract on post-partum, so hopefully she'll be able to stay on there and be there when you are!
Oh yeah, and that breastfeeding class was great for us. I had researched quite a bit, so most of it was old news, but it was a good refresher and encourager and it was good for Ryan to be there. He was a great help and support in the whole process (husbands are really useful in making sure that the baby's lower lip is flanged properly.)
Hi
You don't know me I just happened to stumble across your blog. but I wanted to tell you, your goals are totally realistic. I would say expect to have sore nipples for the first few weeks. I now that sounds crazy but it's true, expect things to be a bit rocky in the begining because both you and baby need to learn the process, and get help from an expert if you need it. It can be hard work in the begining but unless your baby has a medical problem they can learn to nurse. I breastfed both my kids for just over a year and it was well worth it. Plus I think it is way easier then bottle feeding once you get the hang of it since it is always ready and available when you need it. But if you try everything and it just doesn't work, don't let anyone make you feel guilty for stopping. Good luck! And good for you for taking a class ahead of time!
I had a terrible time nursing both my kids for the first several months. With my first it was a full 2 months before I didn't want to quit every single day. There are so many things that can interfere with breastfeeding. Colic, thrush, reflux, plugged milk ducts, mastitis and more. I don't say that to discourage you but just to prepare you that sometimes it can be incredibly hard. But the good news is that Saskatoon has a great breastfeeding community. The lactation consultants at the breastfeeding center are absolutely wonderful and even when there was nothing they could do to help me, they were still sooo encouraging and made me feel like I was such a trooper for sticking with it. I nursed for twelve months with my first and my second is now nine months old and going strong. Though we had a rough start both times I have not regretted my decision to nurse. But I should say that although I hope you have a great and easy breastfeeding experience, if it does turn out to be too difficult you need to know that you are NOT a bad parent if you choose to switch to formula (or even if you WANT to switch to formula. We all know that there are benefits to breastmilk. But formula is still a good substitute and as long as your baby is getting fed, that's all that counts. Since breastfeeding has been pushed so hard in recent years women have made to feel extremely guilty if they choose not to nurse and that is ridiculous. It is our job to feed, clothe, and shelter our children. Sometimes, for reasons of health or sanity you have to choose not to breastfeed. And that's ok. Oh and bring Lansinoh to the hospital. It is a miracle for sore nipples.
Hi Lynette,
I was lucky that Abbie came out of the womb sucking. Right after they cleaned her up, we tried, and she latched right on. I haven't really had any real problems. I got sore nipples around day 3, but it was only bad for the first few sucks, then it was fine. And it was only really sore for 2 days. I am still breastfeeding her now (she is 9 months), along with solids. She will take breastmilk in a bottle, but she refuses all formula (even if she is really hungry). I don't really blame her - the stuff reaks! I am planning on nursing her until I can switch her to cow's milk. Now that she eats food, she only nurses a few times during the day anyways. To me, it was (and is) much easier than bottlefeeding. As for the classes, they get better after the first one. I found them more helpful then the prenatal classes!
Enough out of me! Talk to you soon!
- Jody
Thanks everyone for your helpful comments, and for the emails that others of you sent to me with more information. It is very much appreciated, i really like to hear a variety of perspectives and experiences from different people.
Hey Lynette,
My experience was also good, no problems except the sore nipples after a few days. What really helped was this stuff called Bag Balm, it's a lanolin product for sheep actually and I think you can get it at Peavy Mart (I'll ask where my dad's wife got it) Anyway, it totally provided relief for that tough week (if using veterinary supplies on your own body doens't bother you!) Also, something that Allie sent me was Fenugreek capsules, it helps if your milk is low or not coming in. I took it for my firt few weeks back at work so I could get enough milk pumped for Gemma. It also comes in a tea, which worked too.
ahh- you know my experience with breastfeeding and the whole deal after Liv was born- so just to say, yes, I think your plan is realistic, but know that if it doesn't go that way, and you do switch to formula, it isn't the end- and you're not a bad mother if you make that decision.
Larissa
Hey Lyn,
I know that this is an old post, but I just wanted to caution you some about the breastfeeding classes offered here in town. Jerry and I went to all of them, and some of the things said in there (and in the prenatal class) is big-time propaganada. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for whatever choice you end up making, once you're a mom. I know I felt so guilty in giving my newborn a pacifer, even though it was what she needed. I even felt guilty for letting Jerry feed her some pumped milk for the first time -- when I shouldn't have!
Lots for me to rant about, but just remember to take what you can from the classes, and leave the rest. I wish someone had told me that before I had Emma.
Take care!
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