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So I've survived my first week of breastfeeding....

mattsbride2006mattsbride2006
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

I heard if I can just get though the first two to three weeks then I'll be set. After the first week its already getting better!! The first couple days are the worst....waiting for your milk to come in, wondering if LO is going hungry because of the difficulty of latching on...the worries are endless!!!! I have learned a lot though.

I have learned that your stress level really effects your babies ability to latch on. If I was crying and upset because I was worried about LO, she did not latch on and started to cry herself.

Also, I have found that just because they are doctors doesn't mean what they say is always best for my baby. My pedi doc told me I needed to supplement with formula because my LO was having trouble latching on and had lost about a pound since birth. I planned on exclusively breastfeeding and they knew that. They didn't even suggest pumping and feeding her that way which is what I ended up doing instead of formula. She gained the weight back and then some and is perfectly fine. I'm glad I chose to take their advise with a grain of salt. 

Anyone else have any good advice? 

 

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Re: So I've survived my first week of breastfeeding....

  • PAmiler82PAmiler82

    Sounds to me like you have a wonderful (and realistic) attitude about BFing.  In my case, sticking with BFing has been mostly mental and emotional.  I decided early on that if I felt like stopping I would keep at it for just one more week and see if I still felt the same.  If I did feel the same I would stop and not feel guilty, but if I didn't I would keep on going.  So far it's been 10 weeks and we're still going strong!

    GL to you!

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  • sgrlsgrl member
    I wanted to ask you if you found that your baby was nursing almost constantly at times!
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  • mattsbride2006mattsbride2006

    sgrl-

    YES!!! Cluster-feeding has been a struggle! It has happened to me twice this week. I literally fed Addy for two hours straight when she was three days old and then again for an extended period after she gave me an hour break.  That night was horrible!!!! Its not every night though thank God.

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  • Lesley0228Lesley0228 member
    Congrats on making through your first week with a newborn and BF. The first week is definitely the hardest. Both you and your LO have to learn how to BF and there is definitely a learning curve. Nursing takes forever in the beginning and with LOs needing to nurse so often, it feel like you do nothing else! I watched a lot of tv during that time and used a lot of nipple cream. I used to set myself monthly goals and re-evaluate as she hit one month, then two months and by the time she hit three months I couldn't imagine giving it up. BF is so fast, conveinant and easy now. I love the bonding time with DD and am already not looking forward to giving it up when DD turns one. Just keep it up. You're doing great!
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  • smilelarismilelari member
    Glad that you're taking it in stride!  Personally the first week wasn't the hardest for me. We've had a couple growth spurts since then that keep LO up all night eating. you just have to take it all in stride
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  • afgafg member

    yup, RELAX!

    Don't worry.  go with your instincts, and your lo's cues.  And can I suggest you look for a new pedi.  If bfing is going well there is no need to even consider formula.

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  • bim38106bim38106 member

    Congrats on making it past the toughest time! I BF DD#1 for 9 months and I really struggled w/ it emotionally and physically, especially at first. I was so glad that I kept it up though! It really made life so much easier (lots of traveling w/ her) and by 3 months it was a breeze. Yet here I am w/ #2 still struggling through this first week and wondering if I can/want to continue... It's definitely hard at first!

    My tip, set small goals for yourself. That's the main thing that kept me going w/ #1 and again this time so far... large goals overwhelmed me so setting little goals like just getting past this week made it more manageable. Also, find support, whether IRL or on these boards. I honestly think being on the bump was such a huge BF support that that's a very large reason why I BF DD#1 for so long. Oh, and try not to worry about supply so much. I was constantly stressed about that w/ #1, so needlessly. Most (not all, but usually) women don't have actual issues with supply from what I've been told and read.

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