There is nothing more healthy or natural than a woman nursing her baby. Breastmilk is engineered to be perfect food for our babies. It drives me crazy when a mom says that nursing just isn't for them, or that it's disgusting, or that it makes their boobs sag. No, I'm sorry- being pregnant makes your boobs sag. At least give it a try and you may find that it is relaxing and an easy way to bond with your baby. I found it enjoyable. My baby wasn't gassy, and they didn't spit up. It agreed with them. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
My first baby was a few weeks premature, and had a latch issue. We saw a lactation consultant for a month. We tried nipple shields and supplemental nursers, and nothing we could do would make her latch. I pumped, but she refused to eat what I pumped, and as a tired first time mom, I just couldn't do it anymore, and I put her on formula. She was so colicky. I remember being awake in the middle of the night and crying right along with her. I just couldn't figure out what was going on. Looking back now, I'm sure it was more than just colic, and probably reflux. She would projectile vomit after most of her bottles. I wish I'd have tried harder, but I didn't, and thankfully, she is a beautiful, healthy, smart 6 year old.
My 2nd baby, was a latch pro. The only bump in the road was a thrush infection on my nipples around week 2, but a trip to the lactation consultant and we got it all cleared up. I nursed her until she was 8 months old when I started having supply issues due to my birth control.
My 3rd baby was smooth sailing. It was easy in the beginning. I had nursed a baby before, and had no problems with supply or latch. Then, I got mastitis, another nipple yeast infection, and a urinary tract infection (all at the same time). I ended up going to the hospital for my 104* fever that wouldn't go down. It was like the absolute worst case of the flu ever. I don't wish that on anyone! My right breast was completely clogged from the mastitis, and it was excrutiating to nurse him on the left side with the thrush. Coupled with being alone (my husband was stationed in Illinois, and I was home in Charleston) and a serious case of post partum depression, it got to the point where I didn't want to feed him. I dreaded when he was hungry. I gave him a bottle of formula because it was just physically painful. By the time the infection cleared up, my supply had all but been depleted. I know that I could have gotten my supply back with work, but that's when knowing when to throw in the towel is important. My mental health is the best thing for my children. Is breastmilk best for my son? Absolutely. Is formula going to kill him? Absolutely not. I tried to get my supply back up. But I would let him nurse for 20 minutes on each side, then I would pump 10-15 minutes on each side, and then I'd have to supplement with a bottle. By the time I was finished, it was time to start all over again, and I had two other kids to take care of and no help.
Having to quit nursing feels like a loss. I am still grieving the loss of that relationship with my son. For the longest time, I felt like I needed to justify my decision to my other nursing friends. I'm slowly coming to terms with the decision to quit nursing, and my friends have been so supportive. Most importantly, though, I am happy and my baby is healthy and happy.
No comments:
Post a Comment