Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Today I wanted to share my breastfeeding story. It’s incredible how different one child can be from the next, and how much easier it can be the second time around. Of course, we’ve got a long way to go. But all the experiences I’ve had with Aden as a baby have definitely taught me so much, making things like breastfeeding much more enjoyable with Ariah.
With Aden, breastfeeding was hard. It didn’t come as naturally as we’re meant to believe. Aden wasn’t latching properly, which meant I experienced soreness, my nipples were callused and I was in pain for about 8 weeks. I was having a hard time keeping up my supply of milk and it was taking a major emotional toll on me. All this in the midst of things I had to learn and research as a new mom – it was important to know, for example that I needed to eat right while breastfeeding to give my baby what he needed. (What we eat can even contribute to whether or not the baby gets colic.) There was just so much to learn, and so much I wanted to be able to do. I wanted so desperately to breastfeed that when it didn’t seem like a viable option, I broke down. But I was determined not to give up.
I know I’m not the only woman to have felt this way. In fact, I didn’t have it as bad as some women do. Breastfeeding can come easy and it can be nearly impossible. There are a ton of reasons for this, but the one that affected me was Aden’s latch. It took some time, but I finally learned how to get the right latch, and then breastfeeding was much easier. Let me tell you you, if breastfeeding is important to you, do not leave the hospital unless you’ve had the right latch with your baby!
When it came time to breastfeed Ariah, I have to admit I was a little worried. I wanted to be sure that I could give her my antibodies, feed her nutrients and give her enough of my milk to help prevent her from getting sick. Thankfully my worries were unwarranted. I took everything I learned from my experience with Aden and Ariah had the perfect latch from day one. The nurses even commented that they wished Ariah could teach the other babies there! Lol.
Where breastfeeding with Aden was challenging, with Ariah it’s been unbelievable. I can’t fully express how it actually feels, but the bond it’s building between us is amazing. I cherish every second I can sit down and feed her. It’s our private time together, and I really find it so relaxing. It makes me feel good to know that I can give her everything that her body needs, and I plan to do so until she’s one year. And women must do what’s right for their baby–which can include bottle feeding of course. In that case, I’ve discovered that Gentle Gerber formula is best!
I’ve learned to trust my baby.
I hope hearing my story will help any new mommas out there! Share your experiences with me in the comments.
Xx,
Tamera
With Aden, breastfeeding was hard. It didn’t come as naturally as we’re meant to believe. Aden wasn’t latching properly, which meant I experienced soreness, my nipples were callused and I was in pain for about 8 weeks. I was having a hard time keeping up my supply of milk and it was taking a major emotional toll on me. All this in the midst of things I had to learn and research as a new mom – it was important to know, for example that I needed to eat right while breastfeeding to give my baby what he needed. (What we eat can even contribute to whether or not the baby gets colic.) There was just so much to learn, and so much I wanted to be able to do. I wanted so desperately to breastfeed that when it didn’t seem like a viable option, I broke down. But I was determined not to give up.
I know I’m not the only woman to have felt this way. In fact, I didn’t have it as bad as some women do. Breastfeeding can come easy and it can be nearly impossible. There are a ton of reasons for this, but the one that affected me was Aden’s latch. It took some time, but I finally learned how to get the right latch, and then breastfeeding was much easier. Let me tell you you, if breastfeeding is important to you, do not leave the hospital unless you’ve had the right latch with your baby!
When it came time to breastfeed Ariah, I have to admit I was a little worried. I wanted to be sure that I could give her my antibodies, feed her nutrients and give her enough of my milk to help prevent her from getting sick. Thankfully my worries were unwarranted. I took everything I learned from my experience with Aden and Ariah had the perfect latch from day one. The nurses even commented that they wished Ariah could teach the other babies there! Lol.
Where breastfeeding with Aden was challenging, with Ariah it’s been unbelievable. I can’t fully express how it actually feels, but the bond it’s building between us is amazing. I cherish every second I can sit down and feed her. It’s our private time together, and I really find it so relaxing. It makes me feel good to know that I can give her everything that her body needs, and I plan to do so until she’s one year. And women must do what’s right for their baby–which can include bottle feeding of course. In that case, I’ve discovered that Gentle Gerber formula is best!
I’ve learned to trust my baby.
I hope hearing my story will help any new mommas out there! Share your experiences with me in the comments.
Xx,
Tamera
68 Responses
I had three children& breastfed all. I agree, my first was hardest, but by my third, it was wonderful. I loved that feeling of looking in their eyes as they fed while I talked and sang to them. I worked full time and pumped during all three, so it was not easy. I admit I hated to give it up, and was down to only one feeding with my son at the end (bedtime), when I finally gave it up at about 15 months. I found that people were very judgemental too. “You’re doing it to long,” they’d say. It’s a personal thing! Do what’s right for you& enjoy every minute of that special bond!
https://goo.gl/3nNsbv
I breastfeed all 4 of my kids. breastfeeding was something just coming back then. I didn’t know there was a possibility that I or the babies wouldn’t take. I feel very blessed as it caused me to stop, relax and bond with my children. 2 of my daughters have tried to nurse. one had twins the first go around and a single the second. both would rather pump then nurse. I hated pumping! first I couldn’t afford an electric and the manual – I could have feed the baby four times by the time I pumped enough. I don’t think my daughter’s had good lactation consultants to help them succeed. I tried to offer advice, support, etc without being pushy, I didn’t want them to feel bad, but I really think they gave up to easy. I had the callous nipples, blocked milk ducks etc.but for me it was worth it. I was back in my our pregnancy clothes within 3-4 weeks. They is nothing wrong with not breastfeeding, it is just such a wonderful experience that I wish my daughter’s could have fully been able to experience. Now my daughter in laws friends is do successful she is now providing breastmilk for premature babies. I would have loved to have done that. Oh and one big myth….breastfeeding does not stop your chances in getting breast cancer. I breast fed 4 babies a minimal of 13 months each and right now I am battling stage 4 breast cancer.
https://goo.gl/oyXhNH
I am so happy that you were able to gain from your first experience to have a better experience with Ariah. Congratulations!
I have no issues with my 2 month old latching. He is my first and from receiving some valuable tips from the specialist, after my delivery, I was able to properly feed once I got home. My personal issue though is that my son favors only my left breast. This caused my right breast to not produce as much. In fact, not produce much at all. I pump but that does not help at all. I just don’t want to run low on the right and have no alternative. My goal is to exclusively feed him breast milk until he begins to eat baby food and even then still mix breast milk with oatmeals or something. At least until the age of 1 I want to be able to produce milk. Is there something I can take or do?
Okay so same type of thing happened to me, except I have an inverted nipple on my left side so my son always had a hard time latching onto it. They gave me a nipple shield in the hospital and told me to use it. Well no, he doesn’t like an inverted nipple and he also doesn’t like a plastic nipple! Lol. SOOO long story short, my right side produced double the amount of milk to compensate for the left side that had no milk in it at all by the time he was one month old. I only use my right side to nurse him now and he is gaining atleast 2lbs a month. It’s incredible what my body did to help me nurse my son. Hopefully yours will do the same for you! He’s 4 months old now and as healthy as ever! Tripled his birth weight and still nursing strong on one side! It can be done so don’t give up!! Best wishes ?
https://goo.gl/jRasUD
https://goo.gl/Wvz8ER
It has not worked at all for me and I feel terrible. This is something I really wanted to conquer hoping to sit with a lactation specialist but I am beginning to think I’m way behind being 6 weeks late.
https://goo.gl/4EoSGX
Hi Tamera, I’m happy to know that you considered addressing the experience of breastfeeding. I think it’s quite brave and admirable. I’m not a mom yet, but your description was really clear and addressed relevant areas of consideration regarding the process. I do plan to breastfeed when my time comes and so your recommendation of identifying the baby’s right latch is helpful.
https://goo.gl/cNoADL