Disclosure: This post is part our series in observance of World Breastfeeding Week and is sponsored by Woman’s Hospital.
When I found out I was pregnant I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I read about all the benefits for the baby and the perks for the mom. Who doesn’t want the baby weight to melt off? I was also certain I was going to save money by not buying formula. I joined a few Facebook groups and followed the conversations. I believed if I read all the information it would be easy.
Y’all, I was so WRONG!
Breastfeeding, for me, was anything but easy in the beginning. It was full of pain, stress, cracked nipples, a baby that couldn’t latch properly, weighted feeds, lots of tears, and an oversupply of milk. I went to countless appointments with lactation and breastfeeding support groups. The stress became too much. I just wanted to enjoy my baby. I accepted that I was going to be an exclusively pumping mom and washing all the bottles that went with it.
I was at a play date one day when a mom, who barely knew me, walked over to me and asked if she could talk to me about the clicking noise Syd made when taking a bottle. She mentioned it might be worth getting her checked for a tongue tie. Of course, I had no clue what she was talking about. I went home and discussed it with my husband and we researched a little on Dr. Goggle. We found a dentist who specialized in revisions. At our appointment, the dentist confirmed that Syd had a server lip and tongue tie. (FINALLY! It wasn’t just me not being able to “push through the pain”.) We had the revision done that same day. Even though they warned me this wouldn’t be a quick fix, I still believed I would be breastfeeding by the time we left the office… or at least the end of the week.
Y’all, I was wrong again!
We still had a hard time! I still had pain. She still didn’t want to latch. We ended up doing a little over a month of feeding therapy. Lots of warm baths and deep breaths to help us both relax. I still had to pump and carrying bottles when we went out. It took lots of time and patience.
Then one day we got it…
I’ll never forget the day she finally latched. We were out shopping, only her and I. I didn’t plan to be out too long, but had brought a bottle just in case. She must have been going through a growth spurt because she finished off the bottle and wanted more. I nervously went to the dressing room and tried to get comfortable on the hard square seat. She is crying and throwing a fit. I pulled out my nipple cover to apply it. I picked her up and in one quick movement she knocks the nipple cover off and it flew under the partition wall. I can see it, but now it is covered in dust and who knows what else. She wants to eat NOW! So with tears in my eyes I take a deep breath and magically it just works. She latched!! She is happy and not crying. I am happy and crying tears of joy.
Even though the struggle was real in the beginning, we continued our beautiful journey until she was 14 months. If your breastfeeding journey is a struggle too, don’t give up! You never know when you’ll have your dressing room moment.
