i guess we finally know the answer.
after the first few days and the fog had lifted a bit
it hit me: i am a mom.
it was a lot to take in.
mostly cause what was just
“going through the motions”
suddenly became a bit of a challenge.
night one,
boston slept 5 hours,
feedings were going well,
i was on drugs
and a cord was doing the peeing for me.
life was good.
around wednesday or so,
i woke up with dolly partons
so, i did me a lot of research before i got into this gig.
i knew about the bleeding {which turned out to be not that bad at all}
i knew about the cramps {controllable with lots of meds}
and i knew milk happens-
no one told me that they would be
cantalope-sized monsters
that make life hard on B and me.
the poor guy couldn’t handle the sudden
double bacon burger with cheese,
and had trouble latching all of the sudden.
that afternoon, we found out he was also tongue-tied
which meant his tongue couldn’t distend out of his mouth-
ouchville.
thursday morning,
we had his tongue and wee wee clipped,
and i met with a lactation specialist.
she assured me the clipping would help and should not
be so painful soon- he just had to re-learn to latch correctly.
we went home, and i wept every 3 hours,
for a solid 15 minutes.
{at least he is on a schedule, right?}
i tried using a shield and he wouldn’t take it,
nor did it take away the pain…
the other obvious issue is the sheer amount…
i literally drip without any help…
so i feel i owe it to all those mothers that can’t produce
and wish they could,
so i have been doing my best to fight through it.
plus i believe in breastfeeding 122%.
i owe it to him too.
the girls are currently wrapped in ice,
and when they aren’t,
they are cuddled in cabbage and lanolin.
my mom even introduced me to “shells” that help capture
excess and shield from even more cracking and blistering…
the other night,
when i sat rocking B and streaming milk and tears,
when i sat rocking B and streaming milk and tears,
cc came in and reminded me that B is healthy and gaining weight…
so far the work is worth the sacrifice.
i will never look at another mother
the same again.
the same again.
he then packed me up and put me to bed.
when he came back in, he offered to get me dinner,
we settled on dominos.
then we had a friend come over and help give me a blessing.
a privilege i have used a few times recently
a privilege i have used a few times recently
the last two nights,
B and me have done a little better.
B and me have done a little better.
he stayed nice and calm when we got up
and though i still had lots of pain-
he helped me feel lots better too.
i have been pumping first so i could breathe.
i have bottled about the same amount as b takes in.
though initially painful,
it wasn’t nearly as excruciating as it can be.
after we were done,
i thanked him for helping me feel better.
we’re like a team…
saving the world,
one boob at a time…
yesterday morning,
after a painful and tearful few minutes,
after a painful and tearful few minutes,
we caught a first:
worth every second.
So, I totally can relate to everything that you have just described. I think I have enough milk to feed a whole country! And even still after 27 months of nursing Jacob, I could sustain quite a few! The shield didn't work for me either…there is definately still pain involved! Lanolin was seriously my BEST friend! I also used a silicone "shell" nursing pad for a bit. However, I
That is an awesome picture!<br /><br />Hang in there Meg. You can get through this part, you will get through it. You have milk, Boston wants to nurse, you want to nurse. You can work with that! Everyone else can be tweaked.<br /><br />Engorgement sucks. Hopefully the worst is already over and it will get better and better over the next couple of weeks.<br /><br />Feed him as long as he
I know we just left your place, but I can't stop thinking about you guys! I am so happy to hear that things are improving, and like you know, it's so worth it. That sweet little smile in the last picture is excellent proof! Glad you can see the silver lining peeking through!
I have a friend who had a hard time with this same thing. She said this site helped her: http://www.drjacknewman.com/<br /><br />The ointment I guess did the trick. Check it out!<br /><br />Becca
I remember the first night home from the hospital, I was full clear down to under my armpits, I literally couldn't put my arms down without being in pain. I SWORE something was wrong with me and demanded Ryan take me straight to the hospital. It was painful, but I think all moms (esp. new ones) go through it at least a little bit. But, don't you love those little moments that make all
Oh Meg! That was something I definitely should have put in that little notebook I gave you, I am so sorry! I had the same experience! My doula gave me the warning though. Her exact words were, "About three days after the birth, you will probably wake up with rock hard stripper boobs." It threw me for a loop, but two days later, I knew exactly what she meant. The first few weeks were the
His little smile makes my heart happy.
So sweet little boy! <br />You poor thing!<br />I know I'm the one who breast feeding wasn't for me but I pray so hard you get that sweet experience. I know I was done after 4 months of engorgement with McKenna and only 2 weeks with Chantelle (running toddler + dripping bowling balls wasn't for me) but I pray for you. We called them my hard heavy bowling balls. (I would just sit
Meg, you should have had twins 😉 My lefty was a total dud. I didn't have enough for two. Plus, I am a complete whimp. Way to go you! I admire your determination and positive attitude. <br /><br />Nora was tongue-tied too. Maybe that's why she was impossible to nurse!!
Thanks for sharing your story. I was flabbergasted by how big my breast were when my milk came in…I have no words! I kind of feel like finally, successfully initiating breastfeeding with my son was the hardest thing I've ever ever ever done. But, now I can conquer the world. Keep going. I know you know this, but soon, you'll be a pro!
Meg-breastfeeding is definitely the hardest part of having a baby I believe. I know how you feel. Stick with it though, the first month is going to absolutely be hell but months 2 thru 12 plus are absolutely amazing and it doesn't hurt at all. It is so beautiful and worth it.
Meg! I love your determination. I have the same outlook on breastfeeding, though I never had serious issues as you are having. So I commend you on working through the pain, you're awesome! Hoping things smooth out for you, Prayers and good thoughts your way chica!