Here’s what I have to say about breastfeeding: it is an acquired skill. Give yourself time to learn.
I am not a lactation consultant, nurse, or doctor. I only know what I’ve experienced. So, here is what I would like you to know, if you are breastfeeding, or about to start!
1.) Breastfeeding hurts at first, when the baby latches on, and for the first few weeks. Well, I’m only four weeks postpartum, and it’s still not super comfortable. But it totally depends on you. Some women are fine after a few days, some women don’t have comfort until twelve weeks, and some women, it never totally feels great. Your baby is your baby, your body is your body.
Latching on does hurt, but usually about thirty-ish seconds, I think. It shouldn’t be excruciating. I didn’t realize this, and nursed too many times with a really bad latch. I suffered severe nipple trauma. Please don’t let this happen to you. Get help from someone, watch videos online, whatever you have to do. Also, don’t be afraid to…
2.) Pump. I ended up with a blood blister on my left nipple that broke, and took a chunk out of my nipple. Like, part of my nipple was missing. Every time my baby latched badly, the gash would re-open and the pain was blinding. It made me miserable, I dreaded every nursing session, and was even a little nervous around my own baby. What finally helped was giving my left side a break and nursing on the right side only. I pumped to keep up the milk supply, and bought a Dr. Brown’s bottle to feed my baby. I didn’t start a bottle until about three weeks; some might say that’s too soon, but she has no problem taking the bottle or breast. I’m still pumping the left side until it completely heals, and hope to start over. Another note on healing severe nipple trauma: for me, it helps to keep the nipple covered. Change your nursing pads often, but keep the nipple covered in lanolin. If it is left to air dry, it will scab over and take forever to heal. Again, I’m not a medical professional, this is just what worked for me.
But really, my Medela manual pump has been a lifesaver. Don’t suffer through the pain if you don’t have to. When your postpartum emotional state is so fragile, anything you can do to make breastfeeding easier, do it. You deserve to enjoy your baby. If pumping and bottle-feeding helps you, do it. It’s better than getting frustrated with yourself and/or your sweet baby, who doesn’t know any better.
3.) If you start getting frustrated because your baby won’t latch on, take a break, and let your baby suck on your finger or a pacifier until you both calm down. Really. You will figure it out. Just be patient with yourself. It’s not your fault or your baby’s fault. You’re both new at this.
That’s all I have to say! Again, I’m not totally out of the woods, but I am doing better than I was four weeks ago. You’ll be fine, I’ll be fine…we’ll all be fine! : )
Katie Bertola 