I knew I wanted to breastfeed from the moment I found out I was pregnant. I didn't know very much about breastfeeding, except for all the reasons to breastfeed: breastmilk is easily digested, protection against allergies and sickness, a decreased risk of certain cancers for myself, as well as an easy way to lose all that baby weight. Sounds like a win win for both of us! I wanted to learn more about breastfeeding so I prepared myself in every way possible, with the exception of actually breastfeeding. ;) I read books, attended a class, and dropped in on a breastfeeding group to listen and ask questions. I had irrational fears about breastfeeding; I was worried that I wasn't going to make enough milk (like my mom, who only breastfed me for six weeks), that it wouldn't come naturally to me, or that I'd have to supplement.
Luckily, I had a pretty easy delivery. After 45 minutes of pushing, I got to hold my daughter for the first time. I held her to my chest as my husband and I gazed into her eyes. That's right, her milky gray eyes were open right away; she was ready to see the world and ready to meet her parents. We tried breastfeeding after a while with my labor nurse. She wasn't very helpful, a bit impatient, and I tried not to get frustrated when Adeline didn't get any milk. The nurse said not to worry and that we'd try again later.
I had a different nurse in the evening who was absolutely amazing. She called in a lactation consultant to show me how to hold Adeline and latch her to my breast. Success, Adeline got her first taste of breastmilk! However, she didn't eat very much. We had a long way to go; breastfeeding takes time, and above all, practice. I was advised to offer her my breast throughout the night to encourage her to eat more. Our nurse came to check on us often and I was so happy to have her support. The next day we were discharged and I was slightly nervous and terrified that I was going to forget everything that I had learned.
The first six weeks of life as a mom are a blur. Adeline slept most of the day and ate every two hours at night. I wasn't enjoying breastfeeding. Adeline nursed so frequently at night that I was severely sleep deprived. I was determined to establish breastfeeding before trying to pump and give her a bottle. I was also constantly worried that she wasn't getting enough milk and would get furious with my husband whenever he'd say she was hungry. It felt like all I was doing was feeding her. Those pregnancy hormones are no joke and combined with sleep deprivation, I was a wreck.
After a few weeks, it seemed like every time I tried to latch Adeline, she'd cry these high-pitched shrieks. I knew something wasn't right. Was she not getting enough milk? Was there something wrong with my milk? Was it something I was eating? I started to notice her dirty diapers were an odd green color, which is a sign of getting too much foremilk. I did some research and found out that she wasn't getting the fattier, more filling hindmilk. I had no idea there was even a a difference! I called a lactation hotline for help and was told that I probably had a really strong let down. I was told to offer Adeline only one breast for every two feedings and then switch to the other. After about a week, feedings were going much smoother and Adeline seemed happier. We fell into a routine soon after that and life started to get easier. Breastfeeding was a breeze; finally, it became so natural to me.
I started pumping twice a day so that my husband could feed her in the middle of the night and I could get more sleep. He was so supportive and understanding, helping me in any way that he could. I couldn't have survived without him. When he went back to work (he was in medical school at the time and had a month off, thank goodness), I only pumped if I was going out with Adeline and left him with a bottle. Otherwise, it was all me. I liked it this way because I hated pumping- the washing bottles and all the parts after every use was not for me.
I'm so happy I made it to my goal- one year. Adeline was weaned two weeks after her first birthday. If I can give you any piece of advice, it's that breastfeeding takes time. Everything gets easier once you fall into a rhythm and you know when and how to feed your baby. Everyone is different and what may work for others may not work for you. Try out different positions, different settings, and above all else, find someone to talk to about breastfeeding. I was lucky to have my husband, a great pediatrician, a 24 hour lactation hot line, and family members who were very supportive.
After a few weeks, it seemed like every time I tried to latch Adeline, she'd cry these high-pitched shrieks. I knew something wasn't right. Was she not getting enough milk? Was there something wrong with my milk? Was it something I was eating? I started to notice her dirty diapers were an odd green color, which is a sign of getting too much foremilk. I did some research and found out that she wasn't getting the fattier, more filling hindmilk. I had no idea there was even a a difference! I called a lactation hotline for help and was told that I probably had a really strong let down. I was told to offer Adeline only one breast for every two feedings and then switch to the other. After about a week, feedings were going much smoother and Adeline seemed happier. We fell into a routine soon after that and life started to get easier. Breastfeeding was a breeze; finally, it became so natural to me.
I started pumping twice a day so that my husband could feed her in the middle of the night and I could get more sleep. He was so supportive and understanding, helping me in any way that he could. I couldn't have survived without him. When he went back to work (he was in medical school at the time and had a month off, thank goodness), I only pumped if I was going out with Adeline and left him with a bottle. Otherwise, it was all me. I liked it this way because I hated pumping- the washing bottles and all the parts after every use was not for me.
I'm so happy I made it to my goal- one year. Adeline was weaned two weeks after her first birthday. If I can give you any piece of advice, it's that breastfeeding takes time. Everything gets easier once you fall into a rhythm and you know when and how to feed your baby. Everyone is different and what may work for others may not work for you. Try out different positions, different settings, and above all else, find someone to talk to about breastfeeding. I was lucky to have my husband, a great pediatrician, a 24 hour lactation hot line, and family members who were very supportive.
Thank you for having me Julie! I hope you've enjoyed reading my story.
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