So, I think I may be a bit behind on the news, but I believe last week was World Breastfeeding Week. I never actually shared about the experience Wyatt and I had with breastfeeding, and I figure this is as good a time as any.
Let me just start off by saying, I didn't have any expectations when it came to breastfeeding. I figured I would give a try and if it worked then great, but if not, I'd survive. That also means that I did not do any research before breastfeeding. I didn't read a book, look at a blog...nothing. So when our precious, baby, bundle of joy was born, I had no idea when to feed him, how often to feed him...again, nothing. {At least I knew I was supposed to use my breasts, ha!}
When I first started trying to feed him, a few hours after he was born, he was having a hard time latching. He did finally get it but every time I tried it was kind of a battle. So when the night nurse came in and brought nipple shields, I said "Sure, why not!". They helped immensely and Wyatt was soon a pro!
Now, again, I had no idea about anything that had to do with breastfeeding. So, when Wyatt spent his first two nights screaming....yea, he was probably hungry. Aren't they supposed to sleep all night?? I'm completely joking...sort of.
After a few days I finally started getting the hang of the whole breastfeeding thing. That is until I realized I had mastitis...in both breasts. I felt like I had the flu. It was awful. Have I mentioned that I didn't know anything about breastfeeding? Lactation who?? Actually, that is a lie. I have a friend who is a lactation consultant who I contacted immediately. And let me just say, not every nurse, doctor, or mother knows everything! When I had called my doctor about my condition, the nurse had asked me if I was pumping to make sure my breasts were completely empty....huge mistake! My poor breasts essentially thought I was feeding twins, and were producing so much milk to keep up that they just couldn't handle it.
Within the first two weeks of Wyatt's birth I read every book, every blog, everything I could get my hands on about breastfeeding. We finally got the hang of things, even if that meant I was feeding him every 2 hours around the clock. We eventually got to every two hours during the day and 3-4 at night, but he was always a big eater {still is}. I weaned him off of the nipple shield within the first two weeks as well, all it took was learning some different "holds" that he preferred.
I ended up breastfeeding him for 9 months. Which, I'll admit, I regret quitting when I did. {And no, it's not because I got pregnant immediately following}. I did it for selfish reasons. I basically wanted my body back. Ha, and God apparently thought that was funny. But, I can say that I definitely learned a lot. I loved, and still love, our time every night before bed. It was such a bonding experience for us, and I look forward to that time with our Stella as well.
Let me just start off by saying, I didn't have any expectations when it came to breastfeeding. I figured I would give a try and if it worked then great, but if not, I'd survive. That also means that I did not do any research before breastfeeding. I didn't read a book, look at a blog...nothing. So when our precious, baby, bundle of joy was born, I had no idea when to feed him, how often to feed him...again, nothing. {At least I knew I was supposed to use my breasts, ha!}
When I first started trying to feed him, a few hours after he was born, he was having a hard time latching. He did finally get it but every time I tried it was kind of a battle. So when the night nurse came in and brought nipple shields, I said "Sure, why not!". They helped immensely and Wyatt was soon a pro!
Post a Comment