Don't give up!

by Mara
(Charleston, SC)

I had my oldest son on 1/26/03, and I knew from the beginning that I was going to attempt breastfeeding. When I was an infant, most parents were bottle-feeding their babies... but my generation knows that "breast is best" if you're capable of breastfeeding.

Anyway, we had a latch problem in the beginning; he almost always had his bottom lip tucked in, which caused more milk to leak down his chin than anything else. I would remove him from the breast and have him re-latch over and over again -- this frustrated him and sometimes made him too upset to eat right away. We were supposed to be enjoying this bonding time, but instead I spent every feeding in a state of worry that he wasn't getting enough to eat. He wasn't re-gaining the weight he lost shortly after birth, and I was afraid I might need to switch to formula. But, by three weeks old, we had finally established a good feeding pattern and all was well.

My second boy was born on 1/26/11. (Yep -- same birthday!!) He had severe jaundice at birth because Pitocin (the drug used to induce labor) causes an issue with the underdeveloped liver. Because his bilirubin level was so high, and because of the jaundice, my newborn was a Sleepyhead... I had difficulty waking him up for feedings, and since the breast is a comfort-zone, too, he often fell asleep after a couple of tired sucks. Since bilirubin levels are lowered best through making pee and poop, it was crucial for him to eat -- again, I was worried that I might have to switch to formula, so it wouldn't we as "comfortable" and he might stay awake long enough to eat. He had to undergo phototherapy, and during his sleepy periods I would pump small amounts of milk (since it had just "come in" and I didn't want to cease making it)... I had to wake him every 2 hours for short-feedings, and I would bottle-feed breastmilk just to make sure he was getting a sufficient amount. Thankfully, all is well with this one, too.

Moral of the story: even when breastfeeding is tough... when it seems like you aren't succeeding and you're ready to give up... DON'T! Many people have struggles in the beginning, but if you can stick with it, you'll be doing your baby a great favor! :)

Note from Liz the lactation consultant
Inspiring story Mara!
Yes, breastfeeding is just like many other challenges in life: learning how to be successful is hard but once you succeed the rewards last a lifetime. Quitting is just too easy and not cut out for stubborn folks like us! Many assume those of us who did breastfeed had no problems. Quite the opposite, I have never met a breastfeeding mom who did not have some kind of hurdle to overcome. Breastfeeding is not easy, but it does get EASIER as you get more experienced.
Yes, there are mom's out there who "can't" breastfeed, a very small percentage, under 1%, due to medical or psychological problems. And those moms are not quitters, it is out of their control. No judgement passed there.
All this being said another key factor to successful nursing is having a good support system. So find a lactation consultant who will support you during your breastfeeding adventure.
Best of luck!
Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC