Breastfeeding has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Unlike some other activities, it’s also one that I will NOT give up on, no matter what, in spite of the challenges. Let me say here that I believe I will achieve exclusive breastfeeding with my daughter, and I will do whatever I need to do to get there.
We got off to a bad and slow start. She couldn’t grasp my nipples, and the only thing recommended was a nipple shield. They are controversial – some like them, some say they slow milk flow. I think it might have, and I also know it interfered greatly with the breastfeeding as it was very hard to position and took a long time for her to latch. When finally she could get on the nipple (after a horrible period of nipple refusal) my milk supply – which had come in – was too low to sustain her weight. We are now still working on the supply to boost it.
I had a visit from a La Leche League member today and cannot recommend them highly enough. If only I had called sooner. But in any case: we are now implementing much more pumping (empty breasts make more milk and refill faster, so emptying the breasts as much and as frequently as possible is a key to milk production) and extensive skin to skin contact – chest to chest with my sweet daughter, all day and night if possible.
I’m also going to make more time for visualizations – of peace, of breastfeeding, of milk flowing.
Positive thoughts only welcome! We will do this.