Breast Feeding

Breast feeding can be very difficult to get the hang of, especially for first time mothers.  Not only is breast feeding very demanding on the mother, but it is also time consuming.  The mother needs to be dedicated to their child while breast feeding.  Newborns are fed every two to three hours, that equals out to be anywhere from eight to twelve feedings a day!  Also, newborns can take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes per feeding, and that can take at least two hours a day just feeding.  The demands on a new mother are huge, and you only appreciate the hard work your mother did for you once you are in the same position.  Before I had my daughter, I was talking the big talk.  I would say things like, 'Breast feeding cannot be that difficult' or 'Women who do not breast feed are selfish'.  Needless to say, my first experience at breast feeding was a huge eye opener.  Not only did it hurt, but my daughter was so difficult to latch on.  We spent several days trying to get the hang of this breast feeding, and I felt as if I was starving my baby.  Ointments, lotions, gel pads, nothing gave me relief.  So I turned to the web for some ideas on how to make breast feeding easier.  I am very stubborn and I refuse to be defeated, I am NOT going to stop breast feeding! 

The first website I visited, (http://www.babymed.com/childbirth-class/breastfeeding-tips-and-tricks), described all of my problems.  My daughter would shake her head back and forth and would not latch on.  The website discussed different positions and said to try all positions till you get a good latch.  I did not think of this.  While my daughter was getting frustrated, I was becoming irritated.  I know she is hungry, why is she not latching?  After several failed attempts and trying all the positions, we had figured it out.  My daughter likes the side hold on the right breast, and the cradle hold on the left breast.  I do not know why she prefers any position over the other, but whatever makes her happy and latch on, I am game! 

I thought I was not producing enough milk and was starving my baby.  Besides, how do you know how much your baby is eating when you cannot see or measure what they are getting.  Plus, you do not know for sure if they are feeding or just using you as a pacifier.  The next website I found was, (http://teresasimpson.suite101.com/how-to-succeed-at-breastfeeding-a5443) and the third tip was to pump.  This is probably the best and most important tip that can be offered to any new mother!  The first time I pumped, I fell in love!  I was not in pain the whole time, and I got double the milk since I am able to pump both breasts versus having her only feed off of one.  I would produce enough milk to store for later.  I rarely nurse now since I pump.  Pumping also solved another problem for me:  Feeding in public.  I cannot sit down in the grocery store for at least 15 minutes so she can eat.  Obviously, I need to run errands.  Pumping would allow me to have milk to take with us on our outings.  According to http://www.llli.org/faq/milkstorage.html, breast milk can be stored at room temperature for four to six hours.  This is perfect!  I pump before we leave, which takes about half the time of nursing, and I have food for her when and if she becomes hungry.