My Challenges with Breastfeeding

[AlyKen]

When I was pregnant with Logan, I made a goal of breastfeeding him at least 6 months. I didn’t know what a struggle I would have.

Being born 6 weeks early due to my illnesses sent him to the NICU for 2 weeks. When I worked with a lactation consultant, it was on pumping. I was put in the wrong-sized flanges and became very sore.

When I did get to try and nurse him at Hopkins, it was uncomfortable and difficult. The NICU there was so small, that I was barely screened from public view. I tried a few times, but it was difficult with all the wires, tubes and IVs. When we went back to Howard, we were told on Tuesday that Logan would be coming home on Thursday if he consistently ate a certain amount at each of his feedings. Of course, we wanted him home as quickly as possible, so we just gave him bottles of expressed breast milk.

Logan left the hospital on a 22-calorie supplement. This meant that I had to add a small amount of formula to expressed milk and give it to him in a bottle. Pumping for 30-45 minutes and feeding him a bottle for the same amount of time began to wear on me. I started trying to nurse him a little more. Unfortunately, that’s when the reflux started. Logan would scream when we fed him. He’d also arch his back and throw up… I’m not just talking a little bit of spit. I’m talking “Mommy has to take a shower because she’s covered in vomit.” The pediatrician put him on Zantac and that helped a little.

I went back to work in December. It was just for a month to tie upsome loose ends. Suddenly, Logan wanted to nurse more than take a bottle. When I’d go shopping on the weekends, he’d cry and cry when my husband tried to give him bottles.

When I stopped working on January 1, we’d switched to breast completely, except when traveling or in public. Then 2 things screwed us up again. I washed some of my clothes in Dreft and broke out in a terrible rash. I didn’t know I was allergic. Around the same, the reflux started getting worse again. Logan’s pediatrician increased his dosage and he got bottles for a few days until I healed. Unfortunately, the increase in dosage didn’t help much. Last week, the doctor put him on Prevacid. It seems to be working already. The pediatrician who put him on that medication was impressed that I’d gotten a full-time bottle baby to switch to breast.

I’m proud to say that I never gave up on breastfeeding. I had a lot of challenges. The formula companies have inundated me with samples and coupons. Sometimes, I think it would be easier to just give him a bottle of formula when he bites or starts screaming and arching in pain.  I’ve made it about 4.5 months. My original goal is only 6 weeks away. My new goal is 9 months. When I reach that goal, I plan to extend it to 12 months. I just had to pat myself on the back a little for making it through all of these challenges and not giving up on my goal.

[MSugarKane]

Feb. 8, 2009 at 9:28 AM

My first grandson was a preemie with reflux. Zantac really worked well for him. The reflux ended when he sat up more and started walking.  She nursed him the whole time with many difficulties in the beginning. She stopped nursing when he was 2.  Good luck ! The thing I miss the most when my children who are all now adults is nursing them.  I loved nursing!

[snailteacher]

Feb. 8, 2009 at 1:22 PM

YAY!  I am proud of you.  It isn't easy without those barriers.  Discouragement can creep in so easily!  You have really overcome!

[mmunoz]

Feb. 8, 2009 at 6:03 PM

I am right there with ya! I know how hard it is and I know how easy it would be to give up! You are doing a great thing for your little man and you should definitely be proud!

[crzy_joy]

Feb. 9, 2009 at 2:32 PM

You deserve more than a pat on the back! You deserbe a huge hug for all you've gone through! And congratulations for getting him to take the breast after the bottle. . .more than I could manage with my firstborn!

Your little guy is adorable! :D:D