Such a fuss has been made this week about breastfeeding. Really? Sigh! It seems so silly to over think such things. North America is plagued with obesity and crap chemical ridden, gmo foods that most people don't think twice about eating, yet they freak out about the most natural perfectly healthy food you can consume.
I became a lactation consultant, after breastfeeding my daughter did not go smoothly and how it consumed me with guilt. I was shy, and nervous, and didn't ask for help, and no help was offered. I was alone with my new husband, and we did not have a lot of support. I was back to work, as a NICU nurse (who helps moms breastfeed their premies) at 6-7weeks. I pumped and fed her breastmilk for 10 months. She nursed a little bit, but not much. Becoming a LC, was a goal so I could help moms who needed help and encourage them however they needed it. Motherhood is special and feeling guilty is not helpful. We do the best we can and make it work.
When my son, B was born, I just so wanted to nurse a baby. He was a champ. Nursed like crazy, and was a fat roly poly baby. We nurse until he was a little over two. I wasn't shy, I nursed him on a ottoman in the Seattle Aquarium when he was three days old, I nursed him anywhere. I nursed him at his sisters soccer games, in between his running around after soccer balls. I do not remember the last time we nursed. It was a natural gradual weaning process. It worked.
Our surprise third baby, who is 7 months old is nursing as well. I am thankful that I have the knowledge and strength to get through his rough BFing beginning. If I had been the mom that I was with my first, he would have grown up on formula. He lost wt., even though I could pump 8-10 oz at a time, then on day 10, my milk dried up. Someone turned the faucet OFF!. I luckily had lots stored up (at 10 days) and I supplemented him that, while still breastfeeding. I would BF, then supplement at the breast with tube and syringe, then pump. I was a crazy week. Did I mention my family was in Dhaka Bangladesh and I was doing this in a one bedroom Oakwood apt, alone. Thank god for friends who helped me through it! Carol, Tonya, Valerie and Kim, I will love you forever!
The milk came back, but then we had bowel trouble and he wasn't tolerating the breastmilk. Two pediatrician told me to stop breastfeeding and give formula. Thank god I was not that same first time mom (again). No, I did my research and found out that he was on lactose overload. I was consuming too much sugar, and that converts to lactose and he was unable to deal with it. Also, I didn't have enough fat in my diet. Of course, my diet consisted of fruit loops and cookies. Did you know, most food labels say, low fat, no fat? I did not have time to make proper meal and eat them. My friends who were so lovely, again saved me, by setting up a cooking schedule and brought me real meals. Love you Ricki, for setting this up! Once diet changed and I added FAT to my diet, my lovely son, gained wt. and there was no more blood in his stool.
I am thankful, that I have grown as a woman and have the determination to feed my babies. I haven't any idea when i'll be finished nursing little J but i'm sure it will be a decision we both make at the right time. I could careless who I offend. It really is funny what people make a fuss about.
I became a lactation consultant, after breastfeeding my daughter did not go smoothly and how it consumed me with guilt. I was shy, and nervous, and didn't ask for help, and no help was offered. I was alone with my new husband, and we did not have a lot of support. I was back to work, as a NICU nurse (who helps moms breastfeed their premies) at 6-7weeks. I pumped and fed her breastmilk for 10 months. She nursed a little bit, but not much. Becoming a LC, was a goal so I could help moms who needed help and encourage them however they needed it. Motherhood is special and feeling guilty is not helpful. We do the best we can and make it work.
When my son, B was born, I just so wanted to nurse a baby. He was a champ. Nursed like crazy, and was a fat roly poly baby. We nurse until he was a little over two. I wasn't shy, I nursed him on a ottoman in the Seattle Aquarium when he was three days old, I nursed him anywhere. I nursed him at his sisters soccer games, in between his running around after soccer balls. I do not remember the last time we nursed. It was a natural gradual weaning process. It worked.
Our surprise third baby, who is 7 months old is nursing as well. I am thankful that I have the knowledge and strength to get through his rough BFing beginning. If I had been the mom that I was with my first, he would have grown up on formula. He lost wt., even though I could pump 8-10 oz at a time, then on day 10, my milk dried up. Someone turned the faucet OFF!. I luckily had lots stored up (at 10 days) and I supplemented him that, while still breastfeeding. I would BF, then supplement at the breast with tube and syringe, then pump. I was a crazy week. Did I mention my family was in Dhaka Bangladesh and I was doing this in a one bedroom Oakwood apt, alone. Thank god for friends who helped me through it! Carol, Tonya, Valerie and Kim, I will love you forever!
The milk came back, but then we had bowel trouble and he wasn't tolerating the breastmilk. Two pediatrician told me to stop breastfeeding and give formula. Thank god I was not that same first time mom (again). No, I did my research and found out that he was on lactose overload. I was consuming too much sugar, and that converts to lactose and he was unable to deal with it. Also, I didn't have enough fat in my diet. Of course, my diet consisted of fruit loops and cookies. Did you know, most food labels say, low fat, no fat? I did not have time to make proper meal and eat them. My friends who were so lovely, again saved me, by setting up a cooking schedule and brought me real meals. Love you Ricki, for setting this up! Once diet changed and I added FAT to my diet, my lovely son, gained wt. and there was no more blood in his stool.
I am thankful, that I have grown as a woman and have the determination to feed my babies. I haven't any idea when i'll be finished nursing little J but i'm sure it will be a decision we both make at the right time. I could careless who I offend. It really is funny what people make a fuss about.
Good for you for taking the steps to help new moms. I was lucky with breastfeeding my first because my kid was a natural... I, honestly, didn't even have to try. I had to work more for the 2nd, but it still came fairly easy. Both grew fat, sassy, and healthy in no time... and yet... I still had people, even doctors, suggest that I supplement with formula! Why?!?! We still have a lot of re-training to do when it comes to this subject.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and see that we have similar aged children--- my daughter is 8, my son is 6 and my baby is just over a year. I too had great trouble breastfeeding my first, but managed through it, and went on to breastfeed my other two as well. The focus on breastfeeding in the media seems so passe to me-- I feel like everything out of the American media is sensationalized to make a buck. And, I feel like Americans really buy into the hype saying things like 'We know this is being blown out of proportion, but....' and the talk off subjects that REALLY matter go on and on. Let's talk about the wonderful things you brought up... how we can support and help those who have difficulty with breastfeeding, the early parenting days (heck! the later parenting days too!). Bravo for a wonderful blog post. It caught my attention and made me think and respond.
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