On Breastfeeding

T H E   L E A R N I N G   C U R V E

I'd heard over and over during pregnancy various stories of how difficult breastfeeding can be and circumstances where it really became not the best choice for different moms and babies. I never assumed that I would be successful with breastfeeding, but I was optimistic. As with labor, my approach was to remain flexible, but to research and understand my options.

Nothing could have really prepared me for how difficult breastfeeding proved to be during the first two weeks postpartum. While the hospital I gave birth at was and is stellar for labor and delivery, I found no immediate resource for breastfeeding was given right off the bat. By the time a lactation consultant checked in almost 24 hours after birth, when we were about to be discharged to go home, I had introduced Kaelyn to the breast on my own -- incorrectly -- multiple times, trying to follow the nurses' advice to "try to feed her every couple of hours or so." She had first taken to the breast eagerly right after birth, but having never done it before, there was no way I could know if she was latched on right or not.

Incorrect latch-on early in the nursing learning game meant sore, cracked, bleeding, scabbing nipples that burned and smarted just from being raw, even with a correct latch on. Lack of sleep and general fatigue meant eyes that teared up from frustration just as much as from pain every time I attempted to feed, which in this early stage means about every 1-3 hours. This is so, so hard, I remember thinking in the second week. Why am I still trying?

I tried multiple products that claimed to alleviate the pain of sore nipples -- among them lanolin treatments, breast shells, a nipple guard at the start of a feeding, natural nipple butter, Soothies gel pads... but the truth is that time was the only thing that really made things better -- time, and a brief meeting with a blessed local La Leche League leader who took some time out of her busy schedule to visit and give me some latch-on help. With her advice, baby and I learned over about a week how to latch on a little better, my nipples began to heal bit by bit, and nursing became a little more comfortable overall. It's still not quite my favorite thing to do, but the more we feed, the easier it gets.

P U M P I N G   N E W B I E

I purchased an electric pump prior to birth to have ready in case, but even when I followed the appliance's directions I didn't have much results when I first began to pump. Looking back, I realize I did not know enough about how the breast works to pump successfully when I first began. Basic things like when I should pump, given that I am breastfeeding exclusively, and how much milk to expect during pumpings based on the timing.

The most straightforward information I could find on pumping basics was on the Ameda website, with these simple tips being what I needed to know most:

• The best time to pump for an exclusively breastfeeding mom is at least .5 hour after a feeding and 1 hour before the next feeding
• If baby happens to want to feed unexpectedly right after pumping, it's fine to go ahead, but you will need to switch back and forth between breasts frequently for her to continue to get milk
• If pumping between feedings, expect about half a feeding's amount to be expressed; if pumping for a missed feeding, expect a full feeding's amount
• Amount of a feeding will vary based on baby's age -- 2-3 oz. as a feeding in the beginning is about right
• Amount expressed may vary based on time of day -- usually more can be expressed in the AM
• More frequent letdowns = more milk, not necessarily just length of pumping session, which takes practice to achieve
• You can add newly expressed milk to already cooled milk; store according to the date of the original milk

B O T T L E S   a n d   A C C E S S O R I E S

Soon after I started pumping a little here and there, we decided to go ahead and try letting J bottle feed. At first it was a disaster -- the Avent bottles we had were all way too fast-flowing, and the nipple shape made me worry that baby would get confused between the bottle and breast. We switched to Tommee Tippee brand bottles, which are shaped similar to the breast, and Kaelyn was able to latch on and drink much more easily using them.

Not to waste the Avent bottles, though -- using this converter set with a Medela pump, I am pumping directly into them and converting the nipple rings to storage tops using these sealing discs. This is a perfect solution for me, as I wanted to avoid purchasing the Medela brand bottles since I already have two brands, and since I cannot pump directly into the Tommee Tippee bottles.

As for breast care, breast pads are a must have and the best option, in my opinion, is Lilypadz. These silicone pads adhere to your breasts instead of your garment and are reusable for a couple of months with a simple daily wash (I do it in the shower). They help prevent leaks -- though leaked milk will sometimes collect under the pad -- and have the added benefit of protecting sore nipples from rubbing against clothing and providing a smooth look outside. Second best for reusable pads are Kissaluvs milk pads; these perform better than the other reusable cloth pads I have by Bravado.

Nipple treatments: I preferred Natural Nipple Butter by Earth Mama, by far, over the lanolin-based treatments. This balm goes on very easily and is not as sticky as the others. The lanolin-based formulas vary: Lansinoh lanolin is a very thick, sticky clear treatment, but it is pure lanolin. Medela's lanolin treatment is yellow in color and is a formula that spreads far more smoothly and easily than the Lansinoh, but has some additives.