***Jgirl & alchris***

SeaSoul

One more comment to add to the BFing post from yesterday...

While I agree it's important for people to realize it's normal for BFing to hurt at first, and to have infections and all that...I think it's also important for them to realize all of that doesn't happen to everyone.  Because that in itself could scare someone off.

The only issue I ever had w/ BFing was Cal's latch - which was a source of great frustration for both of us for a good long while.  But I was fortunate to never have had any pain, infections, bleeding/cracking, thrush, clogged ducts, etc.  So, all things considered, it was pretty easy.

alchris

I don't think I said that infections are normal, just that pain the first couple of weeks is!

I just hate to see people who don't know that for most of us it hurts early on, cracked nipples and such.  It doesn't necessarily mean that they need help -- many women just need lanolin or the like until that passes.

Infections are common and treatable, however.  And they usually don't start right away.  Personally, my infections didn't start until Kira was 3 weeks old -- before that we were just dealing with latch issues and no weight gain, plus normal nipple pain.

And latch issues are common too -- too bad none of the LCs at my hospital acted as if they had ever seen latch problems before!  They pretty much wrote us off when Kira was just 4 days old.  We showed them.

My concern is that so many BFing classes, etc. act like they need to campaign for BFing to be all puppies and rainbows, when I think it would be very valuable to let new mommies know to expect some early hurdles and pain, but to stick through those first few weeks because it almost always gets better and is SO worth it!  In other words, everybody in the room (or reading the book, etc.) wants to "try" BFing, but very often at the first difficulty they quit since they aren't prepared for any issues; IMO there's a captive audience who WILL BF at first, and the instructors (etc.) have a chance to normalize these issues so new moms know they're not alone and that there's light at the end of the tunnel.  And if they have no problems, GREAT! 

My mom had a super easy time BFing both me and my sister, and she thought I should give up after that LC appt. when Kira was 4 days old.  It's great that she never had any hurdles whatsoever, but most of us aren't that lucky, and everyone needs to be supported.  (Of course I know that you aren't saying otherwise to that. )

Just my 2 cents!

JGirl2005

I will put something about that, but definitely I want to be encouraging.  The pain when they latch on is just early on especially since you are contracting, etc.  But it gets better and that will be my point.

I had cracked nipples, but I was lucky to not get all the pain that some get with bad latch or infections.

That said, I though my bbs would be able to handle a 2nd baby and the pain hurts just like the first time....although it is just that first week or so. 

ESTH2000

good point Seasoul!! I don't remember it being painful at all in the beginning. I do remember wondering if I was doing the right thing because I was practically nursing all day everyday...of course I know now it was ok and probably what helped me bf this long...but I know a lot of people were talking behind my back saying how I was spoiling DD by having her latched all day and night!

funny thing is developed mastisis and thrush after having bf for a year...gee thanks!!!

oh and one more thing jgirl..can't see your blog now so I don't know if you mentioned this...but when I used to pump and would compress/massage my breast I was able to get more milk!!!

JGirl2005

thanks for your input Seasoul, I will definitely put both of your comments or feel free to comment on my blog. 

I agree with alchris in one major point, many people give up too easily (that is why I decided to write this and will be writing more on BFing).  My friends who do it are VERY FEW.  most of the working moms that I work with and I work at a huge company that is SOOOO pro breastfeeding.  they sent me a book, a bunch of pamphlets, etc.  We have a ton of rooms, I am lucky.  But even with that, most girls that I work with give up because they think it is JUST THEM going through the tough times.  My friend was trying to tell me why she was quiting at 6wks and it was everything I went through (low supply, she needed to take reglan, etc).  I think people need to be aware that it is tough, but it is sooo worthwhile if they can continue.  And I hear some people say they jsut want to give formula since it takes too long to feed and that's why I say feeding a newborn is TIME consuming...for most.

SeaSoul

I totally agree that it's a good idea to be honest about everything they might encounter.  I guess I was just saying there's a fine line between "normal" (meaning, not uncommon), and "happens to everybody."  If certain people interpret it as happening to everybody, then they might be scared off from the get-go ("no way am I going to subject myself to cracked nipples!").

Sorry, alchris...I kind of lumped together your 2 points:

Great points!  I'd also add that it's normal to hurt (cracked nipples, etc.) early on, and that it does get better!

And non-latching babies, infections, supply issues, etc. are common and conquerable and worth learning about!

SeaSoul

JGirl2005:

I think people need to be aware that it is tough, but it is sooo worthwhile if they can continue. 

I wholeheartedly agree!  It IS tough.  Even though I said it was relatively easy for me, I was talking strictly physically.  I failed to mention how I wanted to pull my hair out after being confined to the nursing chair for hours on end during the early weeks.  It was TOUGH.  (not to mention, Cal's latch issues, which were ultimately solved (for the most part) by using a nipple shield.  I was just lucky to not have suffered from any physical difficulties. 

ESTH2000

I think this is great for many reasons...

I feel like some moms also think that once they go back to work they have to completely stop bfding and it doesn't have to be that way....they can pump or just do the am/pm nursing..I also know that it sometimes just doesn't work for some...

Keep it going!!

alchris

Gotcha.   My main point in even mentioning anything was to say that early nipple pain is normal and in and of itself it shouldn't cause people to freak.  I only mentioned the second thing (infections, etc.) as a way to differentiate that NOT all pain is normal and these do need to be diagnosed and treated, so please see an LC/doctor about those!  They're unfortunately common, but they shouldn't be accepted as normal.   (And obviously in person I'd elaborate on the difference, but I wanted to be concise and not take over JGirl's post, so I hoped the context helped...oops. )

And I don't think the early pain issue needs to be an involved description, but I do think it needs to be mentioned along with a couple things that might help, such as Soothies, fresh air , etc., since so much of the "audience" will experience it and probably won't be prepared.