The Breastfeeding Chronicles: An Introduction

Breastfeeding is currently a huge part of my life and it’s only right I give it its own space within the blog. I hope to write a few posts within these ‘chronicles’ ranging from my experiences with feeding, to writing about other stuff such as nipple pads, and creams. If you follow us on Twitter, you’ll probably find me asking a lot of questions, not to mention rambling during my 3:00am feeds.

Before I get started, first and foremost, how you choose to feed your baby is completely your choice. If you choose to feed with formula then great, keep at it, ignore what anyone else has to say. Whatever works for you and baby is what’s important. I am choosing to breastfeed at the moment because I can. Simple. If I couldn’t, then I would have to deal with that.

In the not so distant future, I hope to express so that a) I can get a good supply stocked in the fridge/freezer and b) so S can share some of the feeding love. The only reason I’m not expressing at the moment is because I’ve been advised not to until at least six weeks. Apparently, T is the one who determines my flow and nothing/no one else – apparently this takes six weeks. You would think that by expressing after feeds that my body would produce more milk due to increased demand, but when I started doing this after a week of breastfeeding it seemed to mess my supply up (I only know this because T’s poo changed a little – sorry TMI) so I stopped.

Content warning: The following contains images of breastfeeding… and dodgy hair!

Breastfeeding for me started quickly after T arrived. He latched on well within an hour of being born and seemed to feed well. I was so proud.

By Day 2, however, my nipples started hurting quite a bit, which I believe was a mixture of something new going on with my nipples and a poor latch, although T was still able to get milk out despite having a poor latch. Weird? This was quite stressful as every time I fed I felt toe curling pain on said breast for at least a minute during feeding – I was in agony, but because feeding T was more important I just got on with it (DON’T DO THIS) and to be honest, I thought this was normal (IT isn’t).

I quickly called the community midwife the next day and asked for some help as I was concerned not only for my poor nipples but in case my milk supply changed because of the stress. I also wanted some advice in regards to breastfeeding positions as I only really had the one. After her visit I was armed with different positions to assist with different scenarios (quick let down, slow let down, etc).

I highly recommend speaking to professionals if you’re ever having trouble breastfeeding. You are not alone, and if anyone tells you they never had any worries, they’re lying – it’s almost expected for mums to worry about things such as supply and quality. In addition to professionals, there are also several Facebook groups and charities around these days, not to mention Twitter where there is always someone online no matter what time it is – so there is always help around the corner.

Although my nipples still hurt for a few days, after several applications of nipple cream and constant detaching and reattaching until T latched comfortably, my nipples went back to normal and breastfeeding is now completely pain free and actually enjoyable. Thanks to the positions I’ve now learned (I will share these in another post) I’m also pretty confident feeding him whilst out.

I really enjoy breastfeeding. It’s free food, so we’re not spending money on formula (although we do have an emergency tub in the cupboard), and it’s that piece of closeness that only T and I get to share.

It can be personally frustrating when all I do some days is feed and I haven’t been able to leave the sofa, let alone do anything else, but I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that this IS my job and it’s an important job.

K

4 comments
  1. I’m so pleased to hear you’ve got your groove! It’s very true that it’s not easy. I was a wreck the first few weeks, because it was so hard and painful. Thank goodness for osteopathy and lactation consultants! (and perseverance)

  2. Ohhh eagerly awaiting the next update. I’m very keen to breastfeed so am about to start doing as much research and info gathering as I can! If we have a home birth I miss out on the nurses advising me on some of that stuff immediately post birth, so want to make sure I have good info and hopefully someone experienced to advise. My midwife is awesome apparently but she potentially goes away on holiday about 2 days after I’d be 2 weeks overdue (is that makes sense?)… so if I’m close to my EDD I’ll have her for 2 weeks post-natal care, if late I may get a day or two or not… I still get another midwife for care, but hope it will be her. Anyway – I’m rambling!

    1. Thanks! I’m not by any means an expert, but hopefully by at least sharing my experiences it’ll help others – even if they know to not repeat my mistakes! Lol.

      Hopefully you’ll get the midwife you want, it’s nice having that close relationship with a professional. Saying that, I’m now at a stage where if they’re a professional (regardless if I’ve not seen them before) I have no qualms asking detailed (prob often tmi) questions. Needs must an all.

      Hope pregnancy is treating you well, Hun. X

  3. So lovely that you got the support you needed quickly; the right breastfeeding support can make or break a breastfeeding relationship. Mine latched within the hour too; lovely, isn’t it. It’s interesting how the first day-ish is okay, and then the effect of the bad latch starts. I wonder if some people get their latch fine from the very beginning.

    Breastfeeding positions are definitely important but you’ll find that you make them up too, as you and your little one grow in your breastfeeding relationship – it’s such fun.

    O, the early weeks of forever breastfeeding! It does get quicker and less (most of the time, depending on whether you feed on demand or not as you go on). It definitely gets easier as you get used to its effects on daily life and find your way around it.

    All the very best with breastfeeding, so glad it’s going better for you, and I look forward to reading more about your experience. 🙂

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