I've had several requests for another post about breastfeeding. So, here it is!
Before having a baby, I thought that breastfeeding was going to be easy. After all, it's an innate practice of all mammals. How hard can it really be? Now, after seven months of breastfeeding, I can tell you that it is not easy. BUT, the good news is, it gets easier!
As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I had a horrible time beginning with breastfeeding. It was extremely painful and I dreaded nursing times. I felt like a horrible mom. I didn't want to feed my child because I knew the pain that I was going to have to endure. There are moments - through pure exhaustion - when I couldn't control myself and screamed. Thankfully, I had a husband who was supportive and continued to encourage me and provide all of the support that he could in the form of talking to me, rubbing my back and shoulders, and assuring me that things would get better.
We all know that breastmilk is the absolute best nutrition that we can offer to our infants. If you've read anything about formula, you'll see that it is constantly changing. New additions are being added every year to try to add that one more ingredient that will make it just as good as the real deal. But, year after year, they find out that it still isn't close. There is just something about our bodies that knows how to properly nurture our baby.
Thankfully, more and more milk bank locations are opening around the U.S. to help out women who are unable to nurse their babies. These milk banks also accept donations from anyone who has been pre-screened and has over 100 ounces of milk to donate. If you're unable to nurse, it may be something you check into.
For those who are able and wanting to nurse, but are having difficulties, here are my top 10 suggestions:
1. Relax!
2. Find help - either in the form of an encouraging doctor, nurse, lactation specialist, or friend.
3. Realize that there is no science to nursing. It's an art, so it's not the same for every woman or baby. Find your own groove!
4. Don't be afraid to ask for second opinions. The more you know, the more you can adjust your own style.
5. Talk to other moms - you'll realize you're not alone!
6. Do it in the shower! Now, the "it" I'm referring to is nursing. My shower has a seat in it where I was able to sit and relax. The steam helped the milk let down and my baby was calmed by the warmth of the shower and being skin to skin with me.
7. Use nipple creams or your own breastmilk to heal your nipples.
8. If it becomes too painful, go to your doctor to verify you don't have an infection or other problem.
9. Try different positions.
10. If you must go to bottle feeding, don't feel bad. Nursing does not make you a great mom; the fact you're trying everything to make sure your baby gets the best is what makes you already a great mom!
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding. Show all posts
Friday, October 8, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The Art of Nursing in Public
Breastfeeding is definitely an art. Don't let anyone tell you that there's only one way to do it...that's simply not true. And, the same goes with nursing in public. I am blessed to live in an area of the country where breastfeeding is a proud symbol of being a mother. Retailers, restaurants, and even public parks are all areas where I can safely go to nurse my baby without concern that someone will come tell me I can't be there. Granted, I'm not one to flaunt my nursing. I purchased my Hooter Hider and I try my best to conceal myself...although I must admit that my modesty went out the window after the problems I had breastfeeding during those first few weeks (if you haven't seen that post, please be sure to read it).
Nursing in public isn't easy. It takes coordination (which I don't have), skills (which I'm still developing), and patience (which I lose more of every year). It also takes a lot of putting your own fears and embarrassment aside for the knowledge that you're nurturing your child...in other words, you need to realize that, at some point, you will probably flash somebody, but at the same time, you shouldn't care because you're doing what needs to be done.
I am one of those lucky moms whose child flat out refused a bottle for the first four months of her life. We tried different nipples, bottles, syringes, cup-feeding, and other techniques, but nothing worked. Baby just simply preferred nursing to anything else. Thus, I was faced with two options: 1. I could either spend the majority of my days at home just waiting for Baby to eat and then rushing around to do my errands, or 2. I could actually enjoy my days out and about knowing that I just needed to find a quiet place to sit for about 15-30 minutes every 2-1/2 to 3 hours. I chose option number 2.
The art of nursing in public takes time to master. At first, my child didn't like the nursing cover. She hated having anything over her head and would refuse to latch on. Thus, I spent the majority of my nursing time in the backseat of the car where I felt I was in a more private location. However, as time progressed, Baby slowly began to get used to the cover and even began to realize that, when the cover comes out, it's time to eat!
The second big aspect to mastering the art of nursing in public is that you have to make a conscious decision about what you're going to wear each and every day. Dresses may be a thing of the past for a while unless you can easily slip an arm out the sleeve or it has a deep V neckline that can easily slip open. You may not be able to wear those tighter camisoles under other tops or sweaters unless you find some that are nursing camisoles (if you find cute ones, let me know!). And, you have to be sure that you wear a nursing bra (which, if you're nursing, you won't forget this one!). Finding a wardrobe that works with nursing in public is easy, but may take a little more thought than before.
If you're nervous about nursing in public, then maybe start with nursing in your home around your girlfriends - most of them won't care! You may then progress to a location in which you're already comfortable (mine was the local coffee shop where you can find me many a morning). From there, you may decide to nurse in restaurants when you're sitting at a booth. As you and Baby begin to master this art, you'll find that your options are endless and you both will appreciate the freedom that comes in being able to travel virtually anywhere without fear of nursing in public.
Nursing in public isn't easy. It takes coordination (which I don't have), skills (which I'm still developing), and patience (which I lose more of every year). It also takes a lot of putting your own fears and embarrassment aside for the knowledge that you're nurturing your child...in other words, you need to realize that, at some point, you will probably flash somebody, but at the same time, you shouldn't care because you're doing what needs to be done.
I am one of those lucky moms whose child flat out refused a bottle for the first four months of her life. We tried different nipples, bottles, syringes, cup-feeding, and other techniques, but nothing worked. Baby just simply preferred nursing to anything else. Thus, I was faced with two options: 1. I could either spend the majority of my days at home just waiting for Baby to eat and then rushing around to do my errands, or 2. I could actually enjoy my days out and about knowing that I just needed to find a quiet place to sit for about 15-30 minutes every 2-1/2 to 3 hours. I chose option number 2.
The art of nursing in public takes time to master. At first, my child didn't like the nursing cover. She hated having anything over her head and would refuse to latch on. Thus, I spent the majority of my nursing time in the backseat of the car where I felt I was in a more private location. However, as time progressed, Baby slowly began to get used to the cover and even began to realize that, when the cover comes out, it's time to eat!
The second big aspect to mastering the art of nursing in public is that you have to make a conscious decision about what you're going to wear each and every day. Dresses may be a thing of the past for a while unless you can easily slip an arm out the sleeve or it has a deep V neckline that can easily slip open. You may not be able to wear those tighter camisoles under other tops or sweaters unless you find some that are nursing camisoles (if you find cute ones, let me know!). And, you have to be sure that you wear a nursing bra (which, if you're nursing, you won't forget this one!). Finding a wardrobe that works with nursing in public is easy, but may take a little more thought than before.
If you're nervous about nursing in public, then maybe start with nursing in your home around your girlfriends - most of them won't care! You may then progress to a location in which you're already comfortable (mine was the local coffee shop where you can find me many a morning). From there, you may decide to nurse in restaurants when you're sitting at a booth. As you and Baby begin to master this art, you'll find that your options are endless and you both will appreciate the freedom that comes in being able to travel virtually anywhere without fear of nursing in public.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Breastfeeding: Easier Said Than Done
Last year I read a great book, In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. This book changed a lot of the ways that I look at nutrition both with myself and with my baby. So, when it came to the first stage of nutrition for my child, I immediately knew that I wanted to breastfeed her. While I think that formula is great for some children - and sometimes the only way they can receive nutrition - I thought that the best thing for my child would be to get her nutrition directly from the source...me. However, that was easier said than done.
As a warning, we're going to get into some of the meat of breastfeeding during this post. So, if you are a little squeamish about breastfeeding, then you may not want to continue reading. However, I hope that you do.
My primary care doctor told me that, as I prepare to breastfeed, I should use a washcloth and "rough up" my nipples during pregnancy so that they would be "ready" for after Baby arrived. I thought, "Hmmm...that sounds good" so, I did it. I also listened to the lactation specialist who taught the breastfeeding portion of my childbirth class who said to begin massaging my breasts at 36 weeks in order to expel some colostrum and prepare for breastfeeding. But, nothing prepared me for the real task of breastfeeding.
Many people will say that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt and that it's very natural. Babies are born with the natural instinct of sucking and are naturally drawn to the breast. While I agree that all of this is true, I also found that breastfeeding did not come naturally to me. From the engorgement before my milk came in to an infection, breastfeeding began with A LOT of pain. My baby even took a small chunk out of one of my nipples which caused excruciating pain.
During the first two weeks at home with my daughter, I tried different positions, using nipple shields, and even saw four different lactation specialists, my OB, and my daughter's pediatrician. Everyone said the same thing: breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the way that I was holding my baby nor her latch. I spent feeding after feeding just trying to get through the pain and dreading the next feeding. I felt like a failure at being a mother because obviously I was doing something wrong. Every person I spoke to said that breastfeeding wouldn't hurt. So, why did it hurt me??
Well, I can't really answer that question; however, I can say that I am EXTREMELY happy that I stuck with it. Thanks to the support of my husband and other mothers, I knew that breastfeeding was the best nutrition my daughter could receive. So, I was willing to stick with the pain. After a while (approximately eight weeks), the pain began to subside, I began to heal, and my daughter thrived. Somewhere in there, breastfeeding turned into what everyone said it was supposed to be: a comfortable experience where I can bond with my daughter. I no longer had moments where I had to subdue screams and my cringing turned to relaxation.
During all of my visits with doctors, nurses and specialists, someone told me that breastfeeding is an art. There isn't just one way of doing it nor will each baby feed the same way and each mother respond in the same manner. So, if you're having difficulty breastfeeding, I would highly encourage you to stick with it. See how it changes over time. Talk to other mothers and specialists about what's going on with your body and your baby's health. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not doing a good job. And, understand that, if you must turn to supplementing with formula - or even switching to formula, do what you think is best for your child's health. You are the person spending the most time with him or her so you see the changes in behavior and health better than anyone else.
I now look forward to the special time I get to spend with my daughter. We've gotten to the stage where, when she's full, she unlatches, looks up at me, smiles, and begins to "talk." I'm the only person in her world who gets to experience this, and that makes me feel like a success!
As a warning, we're going to get into some of the meat of breastfeeding during this post. So, if you are a little squeamish about breastfeeding, then you may not want to continue reading. However, I hope that you do.
My primary care doctor told me that, as I prepare to breastfeed, I should use a washcloth and "rough up" my nipples during pregnancy so that they would be "ready" for after Baby arrived. I thought, "Hmmm...that sounds good" so, I did it. I also listened to the lactation specialist who taught the breastfeeding portion of my childbirth class who said to begin massaging my breasts at 36 weeks in order to expel some colostrum and prepare for breastfeeding. But, nothing prepared me for the real task of breastfeeding.
Many people will say that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt and that it's very natural. Babies are born with the natural instinct of sucking and are naturally drawn to the breast. While I agree that all of this is true, I also found that breastfeeding did not come naturally to me. From the engorgement before my milk came in to an infection, breastfeeding began with A LOT of pain. My baby even took a small chunk out of one of my nipples which caused excruciating pain.
During the first two weeks at home with my daughter, I tried different positions, using nipple shields, and even saw four different lactation specialists, my OB, and my daughter's pediatrician. Everyone said the same thing: breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the way that I was holding my baby nor her latch. I spent feeding after feeding just trying to get through the pain and dreading the next feeding. I felt like a failure at being a mother because obviously I was doing something wrong. Every person I spoke to said that breastfeeding wouldn't hurt. So, why did it hurt me??
Well, I can't really answer that question; however, I can say that I am EXTREMELY happy that I stuck with it. Thanks to the support of my husband and other mothers, I knew that breastfeeding was the best nutrition my daughter could receive. So, I was willing to stick with the pain. After a while (approximately eight weeks), the pain began to subside, I began to heal, and my daughter thrived. Somewhere in there, breastfeeding turned into what everyone said it was supposed to be: a comfortable experience where I can bond with my daughter. I no longer had moments where I had to subdue screams and my cringing turned to relaxation.
During all of my visits with doctors, nurses and specialists, someone told me that breastfeeding is an art. There isn't just one way of doing it nor will each baby feed the same way and each mother respond in the same manner. So, if you're having difficulty breastfeeding, I would highly encourage you to stick with it. See how it changes over time. Talk to other mothers and specialists about what's going on with your body and your baby's health. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not doing a good job. And, understand that, if you must turn to supplementing with formula - or even switching to formula, do what you think is best for your child's health. You are the person spending the most time with him or her so you see the changes in behavior and health better than anyone else.
I now look forward to the special time I get to spend with my daughter. We've gotten to the stage where, when she's full, she unlatches, looks up at me, smiles, and begins to "talk." I'm the only person in her world who gets to experience this, and that makes me feel like a success!
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