Live from the Milk Factory…
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Uncategorized
I was VERY skeptical about breastfeeding. Mostly because I don’t like the cult-like characteristics of some pro-breastfeeding groups and the guilt-pushing they do on mom’s who choose formula feeding. I felt guilted into breastfeeding, but ultimately decided that I would give it a try with no promises. I read some things about it and truly do believe that is can be healthier than formula, but I really also feel like formula is a fine choice as well.
I decided that if I was gonna do it, I was going to start out right. I told our delivery nurse, or delivery angel as they should be called, (Donna @ Athens regional) that I wanted skin-on-skin time with the baby as soon as possible after delivery and that I wanted to see if I could breast feed right away. We did that, and it was amazing how the baby new exactly what to do.
On top of all of the hard selling people can do about breast feeding, they also throw a lot of horror stories about it at you, too. Some women can’t do it, it can be extremely frustrating, you can become engorged, etc. It was not as painful as I thought it would be, just a little pinching at first, and he latched on immediately. I found that I was enjoying it a little more each time and really started to surprise myself. Once the milk came in (ahead of schedule), my worries about not having enough and not knowing if he was getting enough food were totally alleviated. Not only do I feed him for about 25 minutes on average every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, I have been pumping an extra 3-5 ounces each day and am starting to develop quite a stock in our freezer.
I know women who have had serious difficulty with breastfeeding and I can see now how that can be heart-breaking. I feel a lot of empathy for them and really lucky myself for being able to not only feed my baby, but have extra for later, so that I am able to breastfeed longer.
Yet another thing about motherhood I did not expect and was not what I thought it would be.
3 Comments to Live from the Milk Factory…
Make sure you tell all the people that it wasn’t ME that was pressuring you to breastfeed. I just thought you should give it a try before moving on to formula…
I’m totally talking about other women with extreme opinions. You were/are the best birthing coach and husband on earth!! Everyone knows you wouldn’t pressure me!!!
SonyaAugust 7, 2008
Whoa! Your very own blog? First you update Myspace and then this? I am totally beside myself. It sounds like you’re having quite an adventure in your first few weeks of parenthood, but I know you’re handling it with the usual humor and grace I’ve grown accustomed to seeing from you. When you get settled after a bit let me know when it will be a good time to visit y’all – every time I watch one of those Jonathan Youtube videos I want to snatch him through the screen and snuggle him. What a cutie!
August 6, 2008