This week’s story comes from Christina. She had some struggles in the beginning that almost every first time mom can relate to. Read on to see how she overcame these obstacles for her son!
My breastfeeding journey began in the summer of 2018 when I gave birth to our first son. In the weeks leading up to his birth, my husband and I attended local prenatal classes which had included the topic of breastfeeding. We felt encouraged and prepared for all that was to come. When my labor began, one week ahead of his due date, we arrived at the hospital with our many hospital bags, nursing pillow and breast pump in hand. We were prepared. Or so we had thought.
Minutes following his birth, a nurse attempted to put my son to my breast. He did not latch. That evening, I had several different nurses and physicians enter my room. Each one contradicting the other. "He is sleepy. Let him sleep. Try him at the breast later". "You need to wake him and put him to the breast now". Each one assisted with placing him at my breast, but not one informed me that he had not latched.
We were discharged 24 hours following his birth but informed that we would need to return the next morning to repeat bloodwork. We were exhausted and ready to head home. But when the nurse weighed our son, we learned that he had lost a significant amount of weight. We were told that it was in direct relation to his swelling at birth. The nurse then provided us with formula samples, stated that my milk would come in in the next few days, and encouraged us to visit the breastfeeding clinic Monday morning (We were discharged Saturday evening).
We returned to the hospital the following morning for blood work, exhausted. The nurse weighed our son, and again the weight was significantly lower than his birth weight. After noting the weight loss, the nurse asked how the feedings were going and I informed her that they were "okay", that my son would stay on each breast for no more than 5 minutes at a time and would typically fall asleep. She left the room. A few moments later a woman entered the room and informed us that she was a lactation consultant. We were caught off guard but welcomed the assistance. She asked if she could observe a feeding and I attempted to breastfeed my son a few moments later. In that moment she informed us that he had not latched. She left the room and returned with a "nipple shield". She assisted with the application and immediately my son began to feed. She also informed us that my milk supply had very much come in! And while I was extremely grateful for the nurse and the lactation consultant, I left the hospital feeling defeated. I had been a mother for just over 24 hours and had already failed. How did I not know that he had not latched? How did I not know that he was not feeding?
24 hours later, we made the decision to hire a private lactation consultant, to come to our home and ensure that he was 1. Still latching 2. Gaining weight. His weight increased and the lactation consultant provided us with even more education; swallowing cues, positioning and herbal supplements to increase my milk supply.
The first month was tiresome. I continued to breastfeed and would pump between feedings. At 6 weeks postpartum I attended a walk-in breastfeeding clinic, as I had concerns. My son would stay at the breast for an hour at a time, spit up quite a bit following each feeding and was suffering from colic. I was encouraged by many to alter my diet, to supplement with formula, and to supplement with lactose free formula. 5 minutes into the visit, I learned that 1. The nipple shield was not required and was only to be used for a short duration. 2. Herbal supplements were only to be used for a short duration. 3. My son received all that he required within 10 minutes of feeding.
Following that appointment, I stopped using the nipple shield, I stopped taking herbal supplements and I stopped supplementing with formula. Our breastfeeding journey continued for 13 months. 7 months later, we welcomed our second son into the world. He was placed at the breast immediately following birth and continues to breastfeed to this day (10 months and counting).
What do you think about Christina’s story? We think she did an awesome job at seeking help when she needed it! Thanks for sharing Christina!
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