Member Articles

I had plans too. I'm over 40 and read that it didn't matter if you have really small breasts. They grew some while I was pregnant but not that much. A few hours after my son was born I got him to latch on with help of one of the nurses. One side hurt more than the other. He would fall asleep within minutes (not the 10+ minutes per side as suggested). He also didn't wake himself for the next feeding and even after pre discharge visit by the lactation nurses he wasn't any more eager to participate. What do they call it 'lazy' feeder? By the day of discharge he had lost 8oz and by the first pediatrician weigh in on day 5 he was down another 4 or 5oz. Told to go ahead and supplement 1 or 2 oz of the ready made formula the hospital provided after nursing or in between. So I had to keep waking him up every couple of hours, change the diaper or something to stimulate him and then thought I could feel milk let down more than just colostrum phase and even got a couple of drops with hand massage or when took a shower. One side is extremely painful but he does ok on the other and we're both crying at some point during the process. By week 2 made appointment with lactation group at the hospital and was told that he was quietly 'starving'. He's not waking up frequently because he is hungry and then going to sleep while nursing. Rented the pump, supplemented with the syringe in his mouth while on the breast (that plastic tip hurts and it is awkward) and continued going through the painful process. He gains a couple of ounces in few days but not the pace they say he should be on for weight gain. Told it is OK to give supplement by bottle right after feed and I have also gone on the herbal supplements (fenugreek, the milk maid and yogi fennel teas and in search of goat's rue). Feeding time and frequency pretty much take up the whole day. While my mom is in town at least get a few minutes to actually eat and deal with the more time consuming post delivery bathroom toiletry tasks. Somewhere in here I'm supposed to remain hydrated and consume a few more calories. Going in for a weigh in every other day - get a new baby ready for a car ride etc. and basically feel like only one trip a day for anything and somewhere in here I'm supposed to be able to nap when he naps, eat and take a shower. One of those tasks has to go by the wayside on most days. I basically don't feel like I have any more milk, only getting a few milliliters when pumping after feeding or in between and the bottle is immediate and does not hurt. Guilty yes, worried about nipple confusion or anything like that - no - he's nursed from me, and at least 3 different types of silicone nipple and hasn't refused any of them. It's week 6 and I've basically stopped pumping, not getting anything, doesn't appear to be bringing down more milk (as far as how they feel) and I'm lazy too about it when have other things to do and at least two of those are eating and sleep or a shower. Time to turn in the rental pump and see if his weight is on track. Give my Sensible Lines storage tray to someone that can pump and store.

I have grown to loving every minute of breast feeding after starting out hating it. I was engorged. My boobs which were originally a B cup went to beyond DD. At two months, my nipples were cracked and bleeding. I cried everytime my daughter would nurse then fall asleep a short time later leaving me full of milk. Id go to put her in her crib and she would start screaming again. All I remember of the first three months were sitting on the couch nursing her... staring at the christmas tree nursing her... and waking up 3-5 times a night to nurse her. I was delirious. Then, at 4 months, all the agony came to a complete stop. I got over the hump and its a breeze. Its just getting there that is the hardest but it IS worth it. My daughter has yet to be sick, is in the 95% percentile for height and weight and the feeling you get when all the pain is over with in not comparable. On top of that it is a HUGE accomplishment if you can stick it out because it can be one of the most trying experiences ever but with the greatest reward. The more you relax, the more milk you will let down and don't skip on the fluids or eating if you are not producing enough. Most important thing to remember is its not forever.