17/01/2024
My breastfeeding beginnings. Feeding this third baby was harder than planned. We know it is the most natural way but it’s not always the smoothest one. There might be bumps on the way, small bumps and mountains, for the beginners as well as for the veterans.
I got a mastitis about right when my milk came in, on the third day, when I was called to visit the hospital for a pediatrician visit and a lab test. One of the worst days in my baby’s life. I’ll get back to this later.
Milk ducts were obstructed, I had a red mark on the breast. This was my friend who noticed it since I was too tired or disturbed to see it myself.
It was painful, frustrating, discouraging, and raging. I thought I knew better but challenges always invite themselves to humble you.
So there I was in a funnel, I mean a tunnel, of despair, calling for help and trying every remedy.
Massage, cold pack, ibuprofen, lecithin, air, lanoline, water, love, pump, positive affirmations, syringe, silver shells… Is it going to work out? Should I give up? When to give up? Should I insist? Antibiotics?
Finally, I insisted, my breastfeeding consultant visited a few times. Many times. She manually drained/unlocked/saved my left breast and little by little (it felt like an eternity to me) the situation improved.
The osteopathic treatments helped my baby too.
The love and support of my dear ones too.
And my stubborn mind, what can I do? 😅
I could have chosen formula, bottle-feeding, by the way. There were options. But with my experience and family situation I thought nursing was the “easiest” option, practically, physically and mentally.
This post just to say doulas can struggle too, nobody is immune to difficulties, each experience is unique, let’s support each other.
Thanks to lactation consultants, osteopaths and friends.
Thanks especially to .lahtinen and my Bliss friends for the practical and/or mental support in these early challenging days. 🙏
