Breast Feeding

[Hali_Taylor]

     With possibly less than a week left before kaleb is born my mind keeps turning back on to things i need for him and skills that I haven't acquired yet for mothering...  I've read up on how to diaper change, bath, dress him and how to deal with the crying- all of these things are foreign to me, but they seem doable at the least.  There's just one thing that I can't wrap my head around, one thing that doesn't make sense to me no matter how many time I read up on it or ask questions about it.  This one thing is breast feeding, or nursing as some call it.

     There are so many things about this subject that boggle my mind- so many questions that no one has the right answer for, nothing to put me at ease about it... Part of this problem could arise from the fact that every woman seems to have her own "system" or way to go about it.  Another thing that is confusing is how controversial feeding your baby from the boob seems to be.

     Now I'm not experienced in breast feeding but I see nothing wrong with it.  I see absolutely no problem with mothers that feed their babies in public (even the ones that don't cover up) It seems very natural to me... Let me clarify, it seems very natural to me when other women are doing it.  The reason for these feelings could be because I am the oldest of 6 children and my mom breast feed every single one of us.

     Now that we have my personal feelings squared away on breast feeding, lets talk about the real issue- The reasons I don't get it.  There are way too many technicalities and rules for starters, like "You have to feed or pump every ___ amount of hours or your supply will dry up" or "It hurts/doesn't hurt because of this and that" 

     Pumping? do I have to pump my breast milk? I don't ever remember my mom doing this with my little sister.  In my mind pumping and storing my milk seems like a way to complicate breast feeding.  Just because of all the labeling and remembering when you last pumped, ect.  This is probably the number one thing that confuses me when on the subject of nursing babies.

     Latching? I have to learn how to do something that comes so naturally to every other living mammal?  I've talked to a lactation consultant that said if i got a proper latch I wouldn't have to worry about soreness or bleeding. I've also talked to a mother of 6 kids that has said I will be sore no matter what with my first couple children.  Who do I trust???

     Maybe I'm making too much out of nothing, or complicating something that is simple.  Maybe nursing is one of those puzzles that can be solved a million different ways. I guess the point of this journal is to point out my questions and to make my anxiety known.  I hope I'm not the only one out there that is like this. 

     Thank you for reading, please vote this popular so I can get lots of answers/suggestions. 

[MSugarKane]

Aug. 22, 2009 at 7:57 AM

First, Congratulations!!!

Second, diaper changing.  From the day they are born they need changing many, many times a day.  You will learn very quickly how to diaper change just because its done SO many times a day.   Just beware boys when their little penis hits air have the tendency to pee, straight up in the air, all over his face, on you, all over.  So keep a wipie over his penis while changing him at first. 

Nursing:   I nursed four babies, never pumped, didn't know what a pump was.  Why they push pumping today with women is beyond me today except an added expense of buying or renting one and paying for the storage bags.  

The soreness will occur until your nipples toughen up.  The first month is the worse and then it becomes a very enjoyable experience. Your body will make what milk the baby needs.  Just drink a lot of fluids and eat well. 

Today there are lactation consultants available to you and do ask for one and also know where you can go if after you leave the hospital you still have questions or need help.   I didn't have that advantage, it was me and my baby learning together by ourselves.   My daughters use the lacatation consultants , they are excellent.  They use them for about two weeks until they both get through the adjustment process.

Latching:  Its a learned experience between you and the baby and the latation consultant.   Do ask many questions, no question is dumb.  These women know all the tricks.   I wish I had this type of help when I nursed!    Every baby and mom are different so explaining latching would be different for each mom.   

Basically go into it knowing you will be sore at first until your milk adjusts to the babies needs, and your nipples toughen. Give it a good month.  After that its a piece of cake!

 

[FluffyMountains]

Aug. 22, 2009 at 12:01 PM

My mom told me I was going to be in an excruciating amount of pain when I was breastfeeding...but I wasn't, at all, EVER lol. Every woman is different, but breastfeeding shouldn't hurt...bottom line. I think women find that getting the baby to latch on properly is the hardest part, but practive makes perfect right? I had to pump for my daughter because she was in the NICU for a week and it does help with milk supply. Basically, the more you get out, the more you make...it's supply and demand. I also had to use a nipple shield, I have the biggest boobs in the world, but apparently my nipples didn't follow suit LOL. Now THAT was hard, those shields should be made better.
At any rate Hali, most of this stuff comes naturally. I'm a first time mom and it's like you just know what to do...it's the coolest feeling. I'm sure that you'll be a great mom and you and Kaleb will get the hang of breastfeeding. It takes a little time, just hang in there!
If you have any questions...I'd be happy to help you!

[Mrs.Killer09]

Aug. 26, 2009 at 1:52 AM

i breast feed and have for 5 months now, i don't pump at all. i don't have to worry about bottle and cleaning all that junk, she loves the boob lol. it just makes more sense to me to breastfeed, a) it's a heck of alot healthier b) it's beneficial to you as well c) it's free lol. there are alot of myths about breastfeeding (ex: i can't do this, i can't do that, i have no life anymore blah blah blah) WRONG i do almost everything that i did before i had her and she is perfectly healthy and happy.  you just gotta try a few diff. things. see what works for you, cause every baby is diff. as well as every mother.  if you breastfeed then GOOD FOR YOU!!! if not, then that's cool too. i plan on breastfeeding every child i have for atleast a year each. like i said, it just makes more sense to me to feed them something that's better for them as well as it costing me not a single dime. oh and the whole pain thing, some women are weak lol, it really depends on the person, everyone has their own personal level of tolerance.  personally i felt no pain except for when my milk came in for the first time but even then it wasn't that bad.