Adventures in Breastfeeding

There was no question that I'd breastfeed. My mother breastfed all six of her children, so I grew up knowing that I'd follow in this tradition. I just survived my first week of being a new, breastfeeding mommy, and I ain't gonna lie...it was tough going. First off, I am lucky that Marlie latched on minutes after being born and knew what to do because I was in no shape to help her. I was in such a fog that I couldn't remember my name much less the techniques I learned in the two breastfeeding classes I completed. All I have to say is that nature is amazing because it will compensate for your lack of skill in any life or death situation. An example would be the first time by milk let down in response to her cry. I wasn't sure if she was crying out of hunger, but my body sure let me know!

Breastfeeding has gotten easier each day and I am so glad that I didn't let sore nipples, engorgement, leaking, sleep deprivation or erratic feeding times scare me away from providing my baby the best source of nourishment. Here are the lessons I've learned in the first week of breastfeeding along with my opinion on the utility of some of the tools I am using:

• I panicked when I became engorged around day three and couldn't nurse her because my breasts were swollen, hard, and hurt like heck. The battery-operated pump that we had picked up at the last minute was a life-saver when nothing else seemed to work. After expressing enough milk to reduce the pressure, I used Soothies to relieve the pain (thanks for the tip Kelley!).
• Itzbeen is a handy, easy-to-use, pocket gadget that keeps a digital record of feedings, number of diaper changes, etc... It was a very useful during the first three days when I was lost in the fog of afterbirth. Around day five my own biological timer kicked in, I stopped using the Itzbeen and watched for Marlie's hunger cues instead. I also realized that I could just count her soiled cloth diapers to make sure she was making enough pee-pee and bowel movements.
• I wished someone had warned me that breastfeeding is a pain in the neck (and back)! I am going to need a deep tissue massage from craning my neck and holding her while she nurses. I have a breastfeeding pillow, but I have decided that it is more useful as a neck brace, LOL!
• Breastfeeding resources (books, support groups and web sites). I was of the mindset that breastfeeding would be easy. Was I ever more wrong?! I have re-read the books and notes from the classes, put the lactation consultant's business card on the fridge, bookmarked kellymom.com (another helpful Kelley tip), and made plans to attend the next local La Leche League meeting. These sources of information calmed my fears and gave me the confidence to stick with it.

The best advice I have to share with new mommies who are breastfeeding is to trust your instincts. We are equipped to take of our young and we just need to believe in our abilities.