Breastfeeding

This has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life!  And at the same time, rewarding.  I was very ignorant about the whole thing when I got started.  I couldn't get a good latch or a good hold.  I bought the Boppy and My Breast Friend hoping it would make it easier.  The hospital lactation consultant helped me some.  The biggest help was realizing that breast feeding in a bed is difficult period.  Once I moved to the rocker it was much easier. 

When I left the hospital, I experienced a lot of pain.  I kept taking my pain pills so I could stick with breastfeeding.  I had no idea why it was so painful!  I read all the boards on the internet and came to the conclusion I had thrush.  I got a cream for it, but that didn't help at all.  I felt like I was destined to have this horrible stabbing sensation my entire time. 

Aside from the pain, I thought that things were going well.  Ethan was eating frequently and I was feeling confident.  My confidence quickly turned to fear and low self esteem.  E wasn't gaining weight and doctors were concerned.  I tried doing everything in my power to up my milk supply.  The pediatrician had a "lactation consultant" on staff and I received horrible advice.  Like only feeding him for ten minutes each side to conserve calories.  That no doubt hurt my milk supply.  Only pump in the morning and night.  (To increase supply, you should pump after every feed for even just five minutes.)  She told me to take Fenugreek and Blessed thistle and I did.  It wasn't working so I took Mother's Love.  I also drank Mother's Milk Tea and met with a real lactation consultant.  Not someone who went to a conference to get the title.  The doctor wasn't the greatest encourager of breast feeding.  She told me E needed formula and shoved a bottle in his mouth in front of me.  I cried.  It was so hard to realize that I was failing as a mother.  Something that God intended for us to do and be so natural was the hardest thing I have ever done.  I was to supplement with two ounces a feed. 

On my own, I asked questions to a Le Leche league, chatted in forums, and called the Similac hotline.  Which, is a great free resource.  They are amazing.  The have actual lactation consultants 24/7.  She told me about a thing called Power Pumping.  It helps increase your supply.  You pump for ten minutes rest for ten and continue this for an hour.  Doing this once a day should up your milk.  

I went on a website and found an amazing lactation consultant.  She gave me the best advice I have ever heard and was extremely supportive and complimentary.  She showed me how to supplement formula using a feeding tube.  It was awesome.  Baby is at the breast and it stimulated them and helped more milk to be in him and he was getting the formula.  She weighed him before and after feeding to see how much he was getting from me.  She also encouraged me to try a prescription called "Domperidone."  It is offered in Canada over the counter, but here in the US it isn't FDA approved.  My OB GYN prescribed it to me and I saw no results.  It was my last hope!  The consultant came back again and watched everything and recommended me to up my dosage to increase my supply.  It slowly is working!  I have more milk now than I ever have!  I am so excited.  Sunday I fed seven times and only had to give him a bottle twice. 

I met with my OB at my six week follow up and she prescribed me Diflucan.  It helped me and for the first time I had pain free nursing!  Hallelujah!  And then it came back.  Boo.  Currently, my struggles are thrush again, not yet a 100% supply, and dreading going back to work and not pumping enough.  For some reason the pump doesn't get as much as my baby.  Ugh.  So here's hoping I can make it a year.  Fingers crossed.