Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing but it’s also very HARD, especially in
the beginning for the first 3-4 weeks. In the hospital it hurt so bad when he
nursed, and not knowing what I was doing, I was only doing one boob at a time.
After having the Lactation consultant coming and visiting us and it still
hurting, I had one of the nurses give me a nipple shield. The hospital that I delivered at frowns
upon using nipple shields so I tried a few more times until we got home. On
the day we left the hospital, a lactation consultant came in and grilled me on
only using 1 breast during a feeding. I was completely discouraged and bawling
(partly the hormones) thinking that I wasn’t supplying my baby with what he
needs. It was a roller coaster of a day to say the least. I tried a few more
times when we got home and finally broke out the nipple shield. It was a
lifesaver, and my opinion of using a nipple shield is that if it helps you from
quitting breastfeeding than go for it.
After 5 days post-partum I ended up getting engorged and let me tell
you it hurt bad. I ended up having to pump my milk out to release the pressure.
The first 2 weeks we woke little man up every 2 ½ hours to feed in order for
him to get back up to his birth weight by his 2nd week appointment.
After his 2nd week appointment we went every 3 hours. We didn’t
introduce a bottle or a pacifier until he was 5 weeks old, I was scared he
would get nipple confusion. It was a very difficult first 4 weeks or so not
only for me but also for Chad and I’s relationship. Guys do not understand how
difficult and stressful breastfeeding can be. When little man would cry and cry
and cry Chad immediately thought it was because he was hungry even if he JUST
got done eating. I felt like a milk factory and just getting pawned off on because
he just wanted to get some more sleep. I remember just wanting to cry but then
not wanting to cry because getting upset/stressed would make my supply go down.
Finally, at 5 weeks we introduced the pacifier, it has been a lifesaver but also was
worth waiting that long in the end. Babies have a natural sucking tendency but
our little one doesn’t require a pacifier to sleep, etc. and I believe it’s due
to us not giving it to him for the first 5 weeks of life. We currently use the
calma nipple for medela bottles and the soothie pacifiers.
By week 6 your breasts will start to feel a lot better and not so full,
but don’t worry you’re still producing what your baby needs. I would leak if I
went too long without feeding or if little man didn’t get everything out. It
was embarrassing and one time I woke up with a puddle of milk which stained our
sheets. We are now using the “on-demand” schedule method with him eating approximately
7-8 times a day. I have an oversupply of milk so I normally will pump once a
day (in the evenings so my breasts are completely empty for bed) and get 7 oz.
He takes around 4 oz so I’ll freeze the remaining 3 oz, this way it gives me a
break from breastfeeding and it also gives Chad a chance to feed and bond with
him. I’m also not comfortable feeding in public yet so if I know I’m going to
be gone somewhere longer than 3 hours I’ll pump and take the bottle with me.
If you are planning on breastfeeding or are just starting out just
remember that it does and will get easier. Now excuse me, it’s feeding time!!
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