My Breastfeeding Journey
Having a new born is the best gift you could ever receive. The feeling of holding this new life that you just made in your hands can’t be described with words. When you are expecting you think that breastfeeding is something that comes automatically natural, well think again!
Before I even had babies I was so determined I will be breastfeeding as long as I can. I knew this is the best thing you could give your child. Fast forward to the day he entered this world, he would’t latch!
As most people I was on the shy side showing my body to all this “random” people in the room that come and go. I had different nurses coming and going trying to help me and him latch but it wasn’t very successful. “Make your boobie like a sandwich and shove it in his mouth!”-well that didn’t seem to work!
On the next day after I gave birth a lactation consultant came to help me out and see how I am doing, well let me tell you! This lady was very rude! She then asked me to stay extra night so they can watch me how I nurse. I really wanted to go home so I said no! She ended up telling me that most likely I wouldn’t succeed with this journey. How encouraging right!
Home Time
I went home and tried a few more times but it just seemed like it wasn’t really working so I decided to start pumping. A few weeks later I woke up one day feeling like a truck hit me. My whole body was aching and I had a fever, I couldn’t pump (or should I say I had no energy to). I went to my walk in clinic and my doctor told me I probably have the flu. She gave me some Tylenol.
After that day my milk supply just went down the drain! I tried pumping but watching those empty bottles was heart breaking. I was so upset and felt like I failed as a mother. With the very first task that should of came naturally. I started giving formula but let me tell you! Every question from friends and family asking me how breastfeeding was going felt like constant reminder of my failure. One day I finally realized that fed baby is more important than how it is fed! So let me tell you mamas!
Do not stress if this journey of breastfeeding is not going as you imagined it should be. Do not feel ashamed if you are feeding your baby with formula! You are a great mother and you are doing the best for your little ones!