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11/22/2004
Marco. Polo!
In 1990, Dr. Lennart Righard published a study on the effect of delivery room routines on the success of breastfeeding.
If a newborn infant is placed directly on a mother's naked abdomen immediately after birth and left there without interruption, the baby will crawl toward the mother's breast. By about an hour after birth, the baby will have locomoted up to the nipple without assistance and will be sucking, usually with the correct technique.
If, however, a newborn is initially placed on the mother's abdomen but subsequently removed for about half an hour for bathing, measuring, testing, and, I don't know, having a petite jersey hat popped on its noticeably cone-shaped head, the infant is more likely to have problems establishing a good latch.
If the mother has been given medication during birth, all bets are off: the majority of the infants in Righard's study who'd been exposed to drugs during labor were too zonked to scooch up to the breast, and when put directly to the nipple could not attach themselves well at all.
We watched a video in childbirth class featuring examples of each group. It was miraculous to see an hour-old newborn so determined to feed that he was able to do it with no help from his mother whatsover. And it was agonizing to watch the mother and baby who'd been medicated — as one of the conditions of the study, the mother lay quietly without helping the baby scale her sternum to find her breast. And it was wrenching to apply those circumstances to my own situation, where I'll unquestionably be medicated and separated from my baby for at least as long as that critical half-hour, knowing we won't have the chance to watch our baby squirm triumphantly through the first obstacle course of his life.
But after some careful thought, I've got it all figured out. Sure, our baby might be disoriented after being initially removed from me — big deal. He's been listening to me swear for so long now that I'm pretty sure all I'll have to do is chant a soft and loving string of profanity to remind him who's who. And our baby might be sluggish from the drugs — so what? I'll just gaily rattle a bottle of Percosets directly above my nipple, enticing the wee tiny junkie upward.
If he's not banging furiously on my chest with his minuscule fist within minutes, demanding brownies and vodka immediately, I'll eat that adorable little hat.
Posted by Julie at 02:25 PM in Jesus gay, I'm pregnant. | Permalink
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Comments (223)
My daughter spent a week in NICU and came home completely unwilling to latch, and I had zero support with the pumping situation. Bottom line was that breastfeeding did not work, and my pumped supply never came close to meeting demand. From all of this, I learned two things:
a) If you have trouble, insist on getting help IMMEDIATELY. Use whatever attention-getting techniques you need to. Throw things if necessary. Don't settle for just any nurse, get the LC.
b) If it still won't work, forgive yourself for it. I spent quite some time beating myself up for it, feeling like less of a mom, and I really wish I'd given myself a break. I tried really hard, and that's all anyone can do.
Best to you!
-S
Posted by: Shelley at Nov 22, 2004 2:38:27 PM
He? You said "he." I'm just askin' because I hadn't seen any actual gender declaration of sorts and had been wondering.
Asssuming I didn't already miss it, of course. It's been known to happen.
Posted by: ChgoRed at Nov 22, 2004 2:59:49 PM
I was way too distracted by the fact that I'd. Just. Had. A. Baby. to encourage the little monster to nurse immediately. For his part, he was way too interested in looking around at the world to seek out my boob. It took most of his first day to convince him to latch on, and then we had him circumsized, which pissed him off considerably. By the time I left the hospital, he'd really only nursed once. And of course the nursery staff had plugged his face with bottles and pacifiers... really, I did everything wrong from the moment he exited my drug-free body. Yet he spent the next 18 months firmly attached to my breast.
Of course, you know that if Batman wants brownies and vodka, you'll have to consume them for him and just pass on the luscious flavor in your milk. My toddler has already acquired a taste for beer, red wine, and coffee... I can't POSSIBLY imagine why that would be.
Posted by: Summer at Nov 22, 2004 3:00:36 PM
Earlier posters have recommended Duramorph. I would think that this wouldn't affect the baby's alertness any more than yours because it's not in the blood stream, but I haven't been able to confirm that through Googling. I had a hysterectomy with a spinal (which I understand is preferable to epidurals in planned caesarians); Duramorph was injected along with the anesthetic and lasted about 12 hours. I asked not to be presedated for the surgery and did not have any morphine intravenously. I was perfectly alert, and there was no pain or discomfort -- although when they hauled out my intestines to get at the right ovary, which I kept, I did feel exerted, as if I'd been running hard. You feel a little pressure and some tugging and twisting, but you won't even know the incision is being made unless you really pay attention -- it feels like a hair drawn across your skin.
Posted by: Jan at Nov 22, 2004 3:06:56 PM
Never posted before here, but the breastfeeding issue normally brings out some need to speak. My son didn't nurse well while in the hospital. But once home and in our own routine, he did just wonderful. It just takes patience, and practice and don't forget the lanolin cream. Oy vey, I had quite a sore nipple on one side, just one side, for a few days, and the lanolin helped incredibly. I never thought I'd turn into such a BF advocate, but I have. And my son self-weaned at eight months, or I would have continued. The best advice, is just to keep trying and get help if needed. And as much of an advocate as I am, I respect those who can't or don't BF. Sometimes it just doesn't work out.
Posted by: beachgal at Nov 22, 2004 3:09:44 PM
Are you kidding? Batman will be using his super power suction cup palms to claw his way to your breastes.. You'll be lucky if he's not trying desperately to suckle both nips at the same time while reaching for Paul's as well.
See I won't have this issue.. my boobettes are long enough that my kid will be able to eat lunch while emerging from my vagina.
Posted by: BrehdaS at Nov 22, 2004 3:23:07 PM
Brenda. I love you.
Posted by: Julie at Nov 22, 2004 3:25:47 PM
Even without any meds it took us a good 2 weeks before we figured it out.
And, hell, if you're having brownies and vodka then I'LL climb up your stomach.
Posted by: Linda at Nov 22, 2004 3:26:12 PM
It really will work out just fine. I think those videos, and much of the literature, are misleading: yes, BF is natural, but it's not always automatic! You have to learn, your baby has to learn, and your body has to adjust. I don't know any women who mastered it without some sort of hitch (small or huge) to get past.
When your pediatrician comes to check Batman at the hospital, ask him/her to WRITE AN ORDER for a lactation consultant to visit you before you are discharged home--that's your best chance to get good help, and even if you're only told, "Hey, you're doing it exactly right! Good job!" that helps a lot.
Posted by: another Jan at Nov 22, 2004 3:30:33 PM
I didn't breastfeed until my son was 7 days old due to circumstances caused by the ex. None of us thought I'd have enough milk, but I did and I breast fed him until he was four months old and then I had to stop because I needed emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder (knew it was going to happen, but thought we could hold off until he was 8 months old but the darned thing burst so it had to come out). I was on morphine for a week, so he was weaned.
Posted by: Scully at Nov 22, 2004 3:35:23 PM
You've got great perspective, Julie. You're absolutely right that having a C will not prevent you or the baby from being able to breastfeed. Geez, what's their point anyway. Which is meaner, having a little drugs during labor, or making the poor newborn find his own way to the milk jug??
Posted by: Kris at Nov 22, 2004 3:39:19 PM
I could not hold my daughter for quite a long time after she was born. She was being taken care of by a medical staff because she was having difficulty breathing on her own and then she slept for quite awhile. Nevertheless, she nursed voraciously until about 20 months. I don't have a lot of faith in these studies...
Posted by: Robin at Nov 22, 2004 3:50:58 PM
I'll add to the chorus of people who had a rough start and still ended up breast feeding. I had preeclampsia, and my daughter had poor muscle tone and very little ability to suck, possibly because of drugs I was given. First the nurses fed her with a tube down her throat (poor thing), and then we graduated to all sorts of bottle/simulated breast feeding situations. It took ten weeks, and it was hard. But I just weaned her this summer, after three years. I wouldn't blame anybody who gave up in the same situation, but I'm glad I stuck it out. And we figured it out just fine, with persistence.
But trust me, my baby was scooching nowhere for the first few days.
Posted by: cherylc at Nov 22, 2004 4:04:00 PM
I'm always suspicious of these studies, particularly if they're done by a man. I mean, it's easy for him to preach the whole "no pain relief" spiel when he will never have to give birth. I'd have more faith in this guy if he'd had a root canal without pain medication and then did the study. That might give him a little perspective.
I've known plenty of women who've had c-sections (including myself--a few problems at first, but it was the fault of my gigantic boobs getting in the way, not my son) and they were able to breastfeed just fine.
Posted by: chris at Nov 22, 2004 4:07:13 PM
I'm another woman who felt that the message of my childbirth class was that any baby who a)emerged from a medicated mommy or b) didn't latch within nanoseconds of delivery would never nurse. Due to circumstances beyond my control, both my baby and I were flying high at delivery and he was too woozy to nurse much that first day. Our nursing relationship was wonderful, and lasted over a year. Try not to let the Mommy Police scare you too much.
Sending warm thoughts your way--
Posted by: Emilie at Nov 22, 2004 4:10:47 PM
You made me laugh so hard, I almost coughed up my rum-and-juice.
Posted by: Karen at Nov 22, 2004 4:10:50 PM
And from the the other side of the anecdotal fence:
I was born 5 weeks premature in 1977, never did figure out how to latch properly, and my mom couldn't express enough breast milk to keep it coming after a few days. So I'm just here to say that - if all else fails (and I'm sure it won't), things will still be fine. I mean, I'm (achoo!) doing (sniffle) great! Sorry - must be my allergies acting up. :P Just kidding.
Posted by: Marie at Nov 22, 2004 4:19:30 PM
Julie - you've come this far on sheer will, I have no doubt that you'll get Batman to nurse if you want shim to.
I didn't get to even hold my son until he was 3 days old, and he was 5 days old before we got the okay to try to breastfeed (PIH and HELLP - he was 5 weeks early). It took some work, but I'm vastly more stubborn than he is, and at 4 months old, he's nursing well.
Posted by: Nance at Nov 22, 2004 4:37:52 PM
Just making sure I CAN spell my name correctly.
I swear I haven't even been drinking (much) today.
Love you too, Julie.
Posted by: BrendaS at Nov 22, 2004 4:47:16 PM
Oh THAT video! Full of Scandanavians looking Nordic and fit, except for the Scandanavians who look Nordic and woogy? Loved that video. Better than Schoolhouse Rock.
I have a breastfeeding story, too, but I'll wait to share it until you can rudely cut me off with your own.
Then I'll listen patiently for about five seconds until I say, "Uh-huh, ANYWAY, the lactation consultant told me..."
And you'll be all, "You already told me that story. So I found that it was easiest, at first, to nurse upside-down..."
And I'll say, "You're such a dick since you've had the baby."
And then we'll drift apart.
Posted by: Julia S at Nov 22, 2004 4:47:18 PM
I had a c-section .. it took awhile before I was with him .. and then it took awhile for him to want to nurse .. but soon as he did .. he got it down pat. If there is a problem .. contact the Lactation Consultant ASAP .. they will help. If your pediatrician gives you an advice about supplimenting .. demand the LC come in and help you intervene. Ours was a life saver.
Posted by: Stephanie at Nov 22, 2004 5:51:34 PM
Oh, you do make me laugh like a schoolgirl presented with a crude drawing of a penis.
I did notice you say "he" and "him" a lot. Did I miss something, or do we know the nature of Batman's, er... Bat-Genitals?
Posted by: Lynn at Nov 22, 2004 6:48:42 PM
#1 - I had an epidural delivering my daughter. It wore off - but I'm sure it was still in her system - the kid was LICKING HER LIPS until I fed her and was STILL DOING IT until she was 9 months old.
#2 - if you really want to do it - the best advice that I got was this - promise yourself (and your hubby) to do it for three weeks. If after three weeks, you're still not happy - quit - you tried. But most of the time, by three weeks - you're a pro and everything is easy. As much as it's natural, it's still hard to do at first. And why tell hubby? B/c he'll encourage you when you want to quit before three weeks. Mine did - and it was the best thing I did!!!
Posted by: Toni at Nov 22, 2004 7:20:17 PM
Please. Take it from a well baby/post partum nurse. Your baby will either nurse or he won't. And if he doesn't, he may still learn to. Some babies are born (not yours) stupid, some regardless of whether you pumped crack cocaine right into the placenta will nurse like its their job.
Do what you can to encourage bf ahead of time - nipple shells in the third trimester for one. Educate yourself but throw plans and expectations out the window. Unless the baby reads the book, only half of you can quote studies and know what is "supposed" to happen.
Please, don't give up pain medication based on these stupid videos. Did the woman also have nipples like doorknobs? There are alot of kinds of babies and many kinds of moms (emotionally, educationally, anatomically). There are many kinds of deliveries, even within the vaginal/c-section categories. You just won't know until you get there.
Try (HA!) not to stress about it!
Posted by: Em at Nov 22, 2004 7:40:17 PM
My daughter was born via C-section and I was heavily medicated. What she lacked in accuracy (in terms of getting a proper latch) she compensated for in enthusiasm. Save the Perco's for yourself you'll need them, and when you don't need them, you'll ENJOY the hell out of them. Tell Batman that if he wants the hospital-grade smack, he has to latch on properly and feed like a good little superhero.
Posted by: Susy at Nov 22, 2004 8:00:01 PM
Mine was drugged to high heaven, and removed from my chest only a little while after birth. Her little mouth sucked the whole way to the table, and all the way back to my tit.
Don't believe all the bullshit. Every babe is different, and besides Batman will want the boob right away and latch on correctly. Damnit.
BUT, definately see a lactation consultant. They help (mine was a bit of a boob nazi, but that's a whole different story)
and if your milk doesn't come in after birth (mine took a little too long) FENUGREEK capsules are your friend. (although you'll smell like maple syrup for awhile)
Posted by: Stacey at Nov 22, 2004 8:29:32 PM
My baby came out crying and chewing on her hands. (By c-section) She was starving. Because she was over nine pounds, they feared her blood sugar might have been low. Regardless, I didn't care why she was so hungry, I let my mom give her a bottle which settled her down nicely while i was getting stitched up.
The good news: She had absolutely no problems nursing, and we had a beautiful nursing relationship. I sent her back to the nursery by night where the nurses fed her bottle, so that I could get the sleep I needed to heal. But from 6:30 in the morning until 9:00 or so at night, she was all mine. Even the nurses marveled at how nicely she nursed by day.
I'm just writing my experience so you can see that even if a baby's first feeding is not perfect by the standards some people propose (though I can see you already figured this out), there's no reason why every feeding thereafter won't be perfect. In my case this included a middle of the night bottle compliments of dear husband. :)
I hope you'll have time after Batman arrives to post all about your first post-diabetes sugar fest. Oh, I mean, to post about Batman's first feeding. Tee hee.
Posted by: Just Me at Nov 22, 2004 8:58:48 PM
I can't believe they showed you that video. Did they really? It must be from the "Make Them Feel Inadequate Before They Ever Leave The Hospital" series.
Posted by: Kristine at Nov 22, 2004 9:46:30 PM
Hi, Julie. Sounds like everything is still going well for you. I agree that GD sucks, I had it too. You are doing great! Bring a Hershey bar to the hospital for your after delivery treat (when they actually allow you to eat solid food). Well, maybe don't bring chocolate, but bring something!
I had the triplets (one still birth but I WILL acknowledge her) on Oct. 27 by C-Section. It wasn't as bad as I thought, although I highly recommend putting a sign on your hospital door allowing only medical staff and food service to knock and enter, as many misc. hospital people will be stopping by at ALL hours of the day and you will be incredibly sleep deprived. Anyway, that is not what I was going to write about, that's another story.
My daughter was given to me first in the recovery room as they weren't finished with my son. She latched on immediately. He, on the other hand, had lots of problems latching on. Luckily, their blood sugars were fine. A lactation consultant I talked to before delivery recommends asking if you can put some colostrum on their gums immediately after delivery to help blood sugar.
Anyway, I did end up allowing the hosp. to supplement with formula anyway, as my girl was so small they had to give her formula and my boy was SO hungry, wailing even after nursing. I just felt terrible, even though I do know it is natural. Now they live soley on breast milk, although given by bottle at times...
Sorry if any of this advice is unwanted. Take what you want and leave the rest.
You'll do great and so will Batman.
Posted by: KatS at Nov 22, 2004 10:06:44 PM
Oh you made me laugh! Thought you were seriously worried batman wouldn't catch on (he/she will) as you are having a c-section. Glad you KNOW not to worry about it. Cripes, so much of the pregnancy/breastfeeding literature is just worriesome to a mom to be. It is a natural event and if baby wants to eat he/she catches on pretty fast ;) It is like, yep, right off the bat you fail as a mother if breastfeeding is not successful X minutes after delivery. None of my 3 kids was chomping to get on the boob after what they just went through!
Did NOT know that.. that baby will seek out the breast if need be. Very interesting..
Posted by: amy at Nov 22, 2004 11:05:34 PM
Yet another story to illustrate the wonderful variation of human experience thingy... had Fentanyl to help me through transitional labour, Claire got the cord wrapped and came out grunting. They wheeled her off to the NICU and the ride there knocked the last fluid out of her lungs. NICU nurse: "Why have you brought me this perfectly healthy baby?" C was back on my chest at birth + 50 minutes and fed like a champ for the next fourteen months.
AND developed a taste for big Australian shiraz while she was at it.
You're going to make the best mom ever.
Posted by: Rachel at Nov 23, 2004 12:09:52 AM
Lots of good advice about the nursing thing ... I especially second Toni's advice about promising yourself you'll give it at least three weeks before deciding if nursing is or isn't for you. Those first few weeks can be tough. Who knew that Lamaze breathing would come in handy after delivery?
I've been reading your GD posts with great sympathy -- I had it, too, and I really, really resented being told what I could and couldn't eat, and that 1/3 of a cup of rice equaled a serving. In Bizarro World, maybe, not mine.
I was really looking forward to breaking the Sugar Fast, so I took a box of peanut butter and chocolate chip granola bars to the hospital with me. The day after my baby was born the nurse was in the room for something, noticed that C needed his diaper changed, and offered to do it for me.
"Oh," she said, as she removed the Baby Burrito, "Has anyone pointed out this birthmark to you?"
"Birthmark?"
"Yes, it's a fairly large one."
She stopped and peered a little closer at the baby's thigh. "Unless it's chocolate."
Busted.
Posted by: Ruth at Nov 23, 2004 7:46:39 AM
Long time lurker here - don't believe the vids, 'K? You'll do fine, Batman will do great - no matter how s/he gets fed.
Oh, and the BF? It'll probably *hurt* for the first week or so. I was in tears with my daughter, it hurt so bad, but one morning (after maybe 2 weeks) the pain was just gone. She BF for 14 months (would have been longer, but she grinned at me one day and bit me hard. No more boobie for her! *g*) My son BF for 2 years....and would still be going strong if I had let him.
Regardless, whatever works for the 2 of you is what's best.
Posted by: verna at Nov 23, 2004 9:11:53 AM
I got to hold my daughter right after she was born, but then the placenta didn't deliver and all bets were off. My doc had to take me to the OR for a D&C, and I got (ok, demanded) lots of medication. And then my kid did not nurse well. But she was born at 36 weeks, and just REALLY didn't like to wake up. I agree w/everyone above who suggested a lactation consultant. If possible see the consultant before you deliver, and see if she can come to the hospital the day that Batman is born. In retrospect I would have seen my LC much earlier. (BTW my kid was able to exclusivly breast feed by the time that she was 4 weeks old-when she would have been full term. They get there eventually.)
Posted by: Abby at Nov 23, 2004 9:19:03 AM
Putting a set of percoset pasties in the mail for you immediately.
Posted by: mollie at Nov 23, 2004 10:24:04 AM
After I had my c/s and they brought my daughter back to me 2 hours later, she did that little scootching, crawling thing to get to my breast. So there! We did however have huge BF challenges, mostly due to my ginormous boobs, so if I had it to do all over again I would be screaming for a lactation person in the recovery room. And a hospital grade pump cause my milk didn't come in for like 6 days. BF was hard at first, but I am glad that I stuck it out cause it took away a lot of the negatives about the c/s for me. And bring that pillow the "my breast friend" and your own pillows too, hospital pillows suck.
Posted by: Annie at Nov 23, 2004 10:44:54 AM
I've had five babies. One "naturally", the others supernaturally--the drugs were super.
Anyway, my "natural" baby was my WORST nurser. I bf all five of the kiddos, still nursing my 13 month old and will until whenever. So I have a good little sample pool to compare.
Anecdotal, yes. It just shows that you, your baby, their mouth, your boob...never has there been that combo on the face of the Earth. Nobody can predict what will happen. A better outcome is acheived, however, through education and help.
Good luck!
Posted by: mopsy at Nov 23, 2004 11:09:14 AM
julie, talk with your OB at your next visit and ask what kind of anesthesia administration you should expect--i am doubtful that your anesthesia will affect batman. i was never offered the option of an epidural because i never went into labor. since you're looking at a scheduled c, i suspect you too will go the spinal route. within 10 minutes of me being drugged and, ahem, 'additionally prepped' (i mentioned that in an email to you), CX was out. there was no time for the drugs in my body to get to him; he was absolutely not sluggish.
i didn't get to nurse right away, and i had PCOS-induced supply problems, but CX latched splendidly and apart from my low supply (and me not remembering much of the next 24 hours because i was on mag sulfate thanks to preeclampsia), we have been nursing happily since 5-8-04.
remember, your prenatal class is for the 'average' parent-to-be, and you're nothing if not average!
Posted by: wix at Nov 23, 2004 1:07:39 PM
You rock! Tell Batman I say "Hi"
Posted by: MOT at Nov 23, 2004 1:47:50 PM
You probably already know this, but we all know how wonderful unsolicited advice is, right?
It really helped me during those first (painful!) weeks of nursing my first son to have mental pictures of other moms (my stepmom in particular, but I think any mom would do) who were successfully and happily nursing their babies. It made me think, I can do it too!
Have a friend or paid consultant or whatever watch you nurse. If someone had seen what I was doing, they could have said, "Don't let him do that with his mouth," and saved me weeks of bleeding blistered nipples.
(This is sounding more and more fun by the minute, right?)
You might consider attending a couple of LLL meetings in your last month or so. As crunchy-granola as some LLL Leaders can be, they are also willing to drop almost anything to come help.
You might also consider having a lactation consultant check out your nipples now (what fun!). I have a couple of friends who had inverted nipples, but didn't know it -- there are some things you can do now to fix it and make it easier for Batman to get a nice, solid latch.
I have to say, it does seem kind of mean to make the babies crawl up to their mommas all by themselves. I mean, how cool that they can do it -- but why do we have hands, anyway?
Posted by: Rachel at Nov 23, 2004 2:44:16 PM
My younger son was born at 29w6d. He lived in the NICU for the first month of his life. He didn't nurse during his first half hour of life. He was fed by IV for the first few days, then received nutrition through an NG tube for a couple of weeks, and then, when he was about 3 weeks old, they FINALLY started teaching him to suck a bottle. I was really upset, because I really wanted to breast feed. So, I kept pumping and trying, pumping and trying ... and one day when he was THREE MONTHS OLD he suddenly figured it out. I nursed him until he weaned himself at 18 months.
So, my advice? Don't believe the hype and don't believe the nipple nazis. If you want it, you'll be able to do it and so will Batman, and the world won't end if it takes a little while and you need to supplement. And if it doesn't work out, you're still a good mom.
Posted by: JenAtHome at Nov 23, 2004 3:18:30 PM
Guess what... not that my two cents are worth much... but I have done it both ways... C/S with the first... and delivered the 2nd. put it to you this way.... Lactation Consultant is your best route. Don't worry about being disconnected with your first born the first hour of their lives.. get someone to take pictures of the wee little being during that time.. hopefully with your husband in them...that will make nice memories... breastfeeding will either work or not work... but it is work, so perservere as best you can... and if you can't don't beat yourself up over it... there will be many more challenging episodes to conquer in parenthood and don't let this set a precedent. AND FINALLY... the only one that will not know that you aren't their is you... the little one won't hold it against you... my boy is one month shy of 10 and he has never ever ever complained that I wasn't there for him during his first hour of life on this earth. Besides... you will have these little chicklets the rest of your lives, looking back... take that one hour to ponder into your future now that the little one has finally arrived... oh, I managed to Breastfeed him for 7 months after... not easily at all in the beginning.. but with lots of work, it worked... and he's still a happy smart sweet healthy kind boy with a beautiful smile !
Posted by: Deanna at Nov 23, 2004 11:00:05 PM
I had my daughter 100% naturally at a birth center with no medication. She was placed on my naked abdomen immediately after birth -- they didn't even cut the cord until after it stopped pulsating, at least 10 minutes after the birth. At no point on that day did I have an easy time nursing this child. The nurse showed me how to latch her on, and I kind of got it and mostly didn't, and my daughter sort of figured it out for one side and then when the other side was presented to her, she shook her head from side to side with her mouth wide open and crying as I recall. That evening it was even more difficult.
I suspect the general percentages would support the analysis that the video in your childbirth class presented, but anecdotally, I'm sure there are a lot of women like me who went natural and still had a ton of trouble. My issues took several weeks to sort themselves out. I stuck with it and had a wonderful lactation consultant and all was resolved eventually but it was quite a challenge.
Posted by: Elise at Nov 23, 2004 11:16:22 PM
God I love the woman who said she had the babies "supernaturally". What a great line. I loved the epidural so much I bought a round for everyone in the room. Then I had my BF blow the epidural man to show my gratitude. Thankfully I hang out with sluts. My babies nursed fine, it hurt like hell the first week, then I quit boiling my boobs and it was better. (Damn I am card tonight). Seriously I am pathetic and lazy and would have given the little yard apes Happy Meals if they would have purried them, and even I managed to exclusively breastfeed 2 of my daughters. Not one bottle for either of them. Of course those are the two with tutors now. (Don't drink cheap beer, it obviously messes with that reading thing.)
Posted by: Lisa at Nov 24, 2004 12:23:10 AM
Sheesh! The whole breastfeeding thang really brings out the womenfolk. I'll add my two cents. The push to make women breastfeed is just as cruel as the push to use formula in the 70's. My hippie mom breastfed us to much disgust by others. I had a real hard time breastfeeding my firstborn. The nurses would not leave me alone. One of them climbed onto the back of my chair! She saw the look in my eyes and slinked right on out of there. My doc has the best advice. Leave mom and baby alone. For good periods of time. My milk never came down at the hospital. Not even in the five days I spent there with my first. Those damn nurses fed her even though she was drugged and really just wanted to sleep. If I knew then what I know now, I would have kept her in the room away from their clutches. They just want to feel they are doing something.
Posted by: katie at Nov 24, 2004 9:12:06 AM
If you read the more wacko literature, and talk to the more wacko people you can find (especially La Leche League people), you find out all sorts of things about the powers of nature.
Breast feeding takes some learning for both mother and child, but there is an excellent window of opportunity just after birth when the baby is at its most alert for a long while. And in most places, that time is taken up by superfluous hospital procedures, when all they really need to know at that point is whether the child is breathing and is the right colour.
Sadly, many obstetricians are understandably influenced into extreme caution by seeing so many difficult pregnancies- particularly in the UK, where they are not usually directly involved in normal pregnancy and birth- and many more natural techniques are not allowed to take place because they interfere with hospital procedure, much of which has little to do with directly benefitting the mother and her newborn (eg putting on those little wrist bands- why can't they do while you're holding the baby?- answer: well they could, but it's just easier if they get your kid for that first crucial hour).
I felt so strongly about this after having my first in hospital (I was actually very distressed at not being able to hold him while they did all these things) that I had the next two at home.
I can't explain what takes hold of you when you first have your baby- it's visceral. You just want to hold your baby, and for the rest of the world to just f**k off and leave you alone together.
I know that in your case, they will be understandably worried about you and your baby, but if you feel strongly about this, try negotiating with your doctor or whoever is doing the C section, to see whether they can leave all that stuff till after the first crucial hour.
Posted by: e at Nov 24, 2004 6:05:46 PM
Wix, is it true PCOS causes milk supply issues?
Jesus H Christ, all this time, I thought my boobs were just defunct after I gave birth.
Thank god for that Fenugreek.
Posted by: Stacey at Nov 24, 2004 9:29:27 PM
As a first time mom, I'll tell you this: There are going to be a thousand things that will try and make you feel guilty. You do what works best for you. I was medicated and sure, it was hard at first, but I didn't give in and it works now.
Unfortunately with the sleepness nights and poopy diapers comes guilt trips from strangers. I guess it comes with the territory?
Posted by: sarcastic journalist at Nov 24, 2004 11:42:34 PM
i dunno shit about breast feeding, at least from personal experience. but i watched my wife try.
here's what i've learned:
1) constipated children stay constipated, whether or not you use the low-iron formula or they take it by boob-job express.
2) breast pumps can make you uncomfortable, and they look stupid besides.
3) if, in time, it turns out either you can't breastfeed, or you try and you hate it, it's not the end of the world. [my wife hated it.]
3a) you're still a good mom.
3b) batman will still be a strong, healthy kid.
still, by all means, give it a whirl. it certainly can't hurt either of you. :)
Posted by: RainbowW at Nov 25, 2004 2:36:07 AM
Dear Julie,
Have you thought about talking to a lactation consultant?
Love, Danae
Posted by: Danae at Nov 25, 2004 12:49:28 PM
