Who has read "So That's What They're For"

Re: Who has read "So That's What They're For"

• mamamoos

  September 2009

  i read it and yes, it does eventually get more informative, although you really never escape the whole "holier than thou" tone.  it was helpful to have on hand as reference, esp for holds and safe meds, etc. 

  if you're looking for a more laid back yet still informative read, try "breastfeeding sucks: what to do when your mammaries make you miserable" by joanne kimes.  i also loved her PG book, "pregnancy sucks: what to do when your miracle makes you miserable."  both are informative, funny and very down to earth.

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• Tess12 member

  September 2009

  I read it around the time I was struggling with breastfeeding.  It didn't help matters. 
  

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• lpennie16 member

  September 2009

  I haven't read it, but a lot of times when ppl say that books are hilarious/amusing they're not. (for example- anything written by Jenny McCarthy)

  I too want to breastfeed DS #2 and am taking a breastfeeding class offered by my OB office. Are you going to a class? If you don't mind my asking, what were some of the reasons it didn't work out with Leo?

  I was very, very disappointed that it didn't work out with Sawyer. I later found out that extreme lethargy is a result of the in utero stroke he had. So he simply didn't have the energy to actively participate in breastfeeding. I remember trying so hard to get him to latch and he wouldn't. I was crying and my breasts were leaking all over my lap. I did pump for awhile, but that was hard to maintain for me.

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• BetchySprout member

  September 2009

  lpennie16:

  I haven't read it, but a lot of times when ppl say that books are hilarious/amusing they're not. (for example- anything written by Jenny McCarthy)

  I too want to breastfeed DS #2 and am taking a breastfeeding class offered by my OB office. Are you going to a class? If you don't mind my asking, what were some of the reasons it didn't work out with Leo?

  I was very, very disappointed that it didn't work out with Sawyer. I later found out that extreme lethargy is a result of the in utero stroke he had. So he simply didn't have the energy to actively participate in breastfeeding. I remember trying so hard to get him to latch and he wouldn't. I was crying and my breasts were leaking all over my lap. I did pump for awhile, but that was hard to maintain for me.

   

  Glad I am not alone in thinking that not one word of Bellylaughs was even remotely amusing. And I have a dirty sense of humor.

  Rach, that is ridiculous, I BF and even your description of that book disgusts me. 
  

  ZYZ Sewing blog of a sewing Noob

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• userdeleted member

  September 2009

  lpennie16:

  I haven't read it, but a lot of times when ppl say that books are hilarious/amusing they're not. (for example- anything written by Jenny McCarthy)

  I too want to breastfeed DS #2 and am taking a breastfeeding class offered by my OB office. Are you going to a class? If you don't mind my asking, what were some of the reasons it didn't work out with Leo?

  I agree with you about Jenny McCarthy. I can't stand her or her books.

  I'm not planning on taking a class, but I did go to a La Leche League meeting and I plan on continuing with those. I also want to have a Lactation Consultant lined up in case I need extra help.

  DS went straight to the NICU after he was born and I pumped from the beginning. They didn't have me start trying to nurse him until right before we left the hospital, and he wasn't able to latch so they gave me a nipple shield to use. For some reason, the damn thing would not stay on. It kept falling off during feedings, and though right now that doesn't really sound like that big of a deal, in the middle of the stress and sleep deprivation of having a newborn it was the end of the world to me. DS was also colicky and had reflux, making every feeding a battle. We had absolutely zero help - no family and no friends to give us a break. I tried calling a lactation consultant back then, but the woman was not very helpful on the phone and wanted me to drive downtown during rush hour to have an appointment with her. I honestly was so tired and drained at that point that simply doing that sounded literally impossible. I told my friends and family that breastfeeding was making me not enjoy being a mom.
  

  Then one day DS refused to latch on, even with the nipple shield, we ran out of my pumped milk, and my pump broke. I was done, and while I wish it had worked out, I am not sorry. I think I made the right decision for us at the time.
  

  All that aside, I would love to make it work for DS2. I think in the long run it's a lot more convenient, and it's definitely cheaper. I'm praying that this baby is full term and that helps with the whole "suck reflex" thing. We'll see!
  

  

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• Tess12 member

  September 2009

  Rach03k:

  I agree with you about Jenny McCarthy. I can't stand her or her books.

  I'm not planning on taking a class, but I did go to a La Leche League meeting and I plan on continuing with those. I also want to have a Lactation Consultant lined up in case I need extra help.

  I would advise getting an LC involved regardless of how it seems to be going.  I thought everything was fine those first few days because I didn't have any clue what I was doing.  But I think if I had worked with an LC from the beginning, things might have gone differently.  I was stubborn, thought I could figure it out on my own, and waited too long to see someone.

   
  

  
  

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• userdeleted member

  September 2009

  Tess12:

  Rach03k:

  I agree with you about Jenny McCarthy. I can't stand her or her books.

  I'm not planning on taking a class, but I did go to a La Leche League meeting and I plan on continuing with those. I also want to have a Lactation Consultant lined up in case I need extra help.

  I would advise getting an LC involved regardless of how it seems to be going.  I thought everything was fine those first few days because I didn't have any clue what I was doing.  But I think if I had worked with an LC from the beginning, things might have gone differently.  I was stubborn, thought I could figure it out on my own, and waited too long to see someone.

  See, and this is what my cousin told me too, but with DS I called the person who is supposedly the best LC in town and she didn't seem to understand why I wanted to see her, even though I was having some issues and wanted to figure out how to get off of the nipple shield.
  

  I really just need to find someone else, because it sounds like it is pretty normal to have someone see you just to make sure everything is going ok. 
  

  

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• lpennie16 member

  September 2009

  I see. I have heard that the first hour after baby is born is when they are the most alert and skin on skin contact and breastfeeding is essential then. It sounds like you went thru a lot, Rach!  The other thing to be careful of is that not to let all the nurses try to help you. They are well meaning, but its like too many cooks in the kitchen, ya know?  I wish you the best of luck this time.

  I was also under the impression (wrongly) that breastfeeding was a simple, natural process. Not always!

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• Tess12 member

  September 2009

  Rach03k:

  Tess12:

  Rach03k:

  I agree with you about Jenny McCarthy. I can't stand her or her books.

  I'm not planning on taking a class, but I did go to a La Leche League meeting and I plan on continuing with those. I also want to have a Lactation Consultant lined up in case I need extra help.

  I would advise getting an LC involved regardless of how it seems to be going.  I thought everything was fine those first few days because I didn't have any clue what I was doing.  But I think if I had worked with an LC from the beginning, things might have gone differently.  I was stubborn, thought I could figure it out on my own, and waited too long to see someone.

  See, and this is what my cousin told me too, but with DS I called the person who is supposedly the best LC in town and she didn't seem to understand why I wanted to see her, even though I was having some issues and wanted to figure out how to get off of the nipple shield.
  

  I really just need to find someone else, because it sounds like it is pretty normal to have someone see you just to make sure everything is going ok. 
  

  The hospital should have someone on staff who can see you while you're there.  Maybe you should check on that. 

  Also, I would call some different LCs, explain that you had trouble the first time and would like to see someone soon after the birth, so you can have any questions answered and make sure you're on the right track.  I'm sure you'll be able to find someone who understands that.
  

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• ToledoDeux member

  September 2009

  Have you read The Nursing Mother's Companion?  I found it extremely helpful and encouraging when I struggled to bf with DD#1 (although we also did work with a fantastic LC through my hospital). 

  I just picked it up off the bookshelf again today, since I am EP for DD#2 in the NICU right now, a whole new experience - and it has some decent info on preemie feeding.
  

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• Sweetsparkles

  September 2009

  Remember there is always pumping.  I pumped for 11 months because our D did not latch.

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