Breastfeeding didn’t go too well the last time. I basically gave up at the hospital when feeds #1-3 resulted in bloody nipples. The pain was so intense I couldn’t imagine continuing on! I have super low pain tolerance and turns out that my nipple skin was just extra sensitive. Even with the perfect latch, I was in such intense pain I would pull away after 15 seconds. So, I exclusively pumped for 8/9 months and it was… difficult. I always wondered if there was something else I could have done to successfully breastfeed. It would have been nice to not carry around ice packs for my breastmilk! I envied those moms who were able to immediately stop a fussy baby by breastfeeding.
Here were some things I prepared myself for the second time around:
- I knew there would be judgment from the hospital staff when requesting formula. It’s crazy that even as a second time mom, I still felt really guilty asking for formula. I had to put my foot down and officially say, “I understand that the best way to get my milk in faster is to continue breastfeeding, but I still want to give formula right now.” Once I set a firm tone, the staff immediately let it go and gave me formula.
- I expected the same intense pain from the first feedings, and possibly cracked/bloody nipples. The second time around still hurt like crazy! But this time I used a breast shield and it took away about 70% of the pain. Once again, the most smug lactation consultant was amazed that it still hurt with a perfect latch. What can I say – I just have super sensitive skin!
- I prepped fenugreek, dandelion root, mother’s milk tea and lactation cookies. I had my husband freeze some homemade lactation cookies so I could just take them out and bake when I needed them.
- KEY THING: Sleep as much as possible! I know this seems so backwards (and I’m sure everyone is different), but I actually got more milk the more I rested. The last time I pumped religiously every 3 hours for 5 months, with one long stretch in the night. So even if I was in deep sleep, my alarm would go off and I would pump no matter what. But this time, I was more relaxed. I tried to pump every 3-4 hours, but if I accidentally slept in that would be OK. Less stress/anxiety and more sleep was first priority!
As far as actual breastfeeding, I’m able to successfully breastfeed but ONLY with the nipple shield. I don’t know why nipple shields have such a bad rap! They’re a lifesaver in my book. I saw many lactation consultants and I really agreed with one in particular. She said that if it came down to using the nipple shield versus potentially giving up, of course use the nipple shield! Who cares if it’s a crutch? Just do whatever it takes to actually breastfeed in the end! That really freed me of my guilty feelings and I purchased a bunch of nipple shields. I plan to wean off the nipple shield if I can, but if I can’t I’m totally fine just using it for as long as I need.
One huge perk I see with using the nipple shield is that it doesn’t give Baby Pencil any nipple confusion. She takes both bottle and nipple shield – perhaps because they’re both the same plastic texture? Either way, I’m so glad I’m able to do both breastfeeding and bottle feeding!
Currently at week 6, Baby Pencil takes the breast mostly during the day and bottle feeds at night. I am so much more relaxed this time around and it’s made me a much happier mom! I want to encourage other moms who can’t breastfeed to really free themselves from any judgment or guilt. Formula and the nipple shield helped me from so much stress. Who cares about what other people think? This is a time of survival, so do whatever you need to to get through the 4th trimester!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
I used the nipple shield with my first till almost 6 months! So I think there’s still plenty of time to wean! I had supply issue with my first but I don’t attribute them to the nipple shield at all.
I’m 10 months in with my 2nd and I must say breastfeeding the 2nd time around has been so much easier and I really try to take time to soak it all in since it’s probably my last time breastfeeding!
cherry / 148 posts
She’s so adorable, love her little cheeks! She has so much hair, very precious!
nectarine / 2243 posts
This was a great post. There so much “breastfeeding! Its so natural! Its so easy! You don’t need anything, just your boob and a baby” But for so many people thats not the case. I used shields, I EPd after month 4, the pump literally tore up my right breast. In retrospect I wish I had been more gentle and forgiving with myself: more rest, less rigid structure, more open to supplementation.
There so much out there that goes “ok, so if you do A, B, and C, everything should be fine!” But what if its not fine? What if B doesn’t work? I wish I was given more options; I felt like I was told I was either doing something incorrectly, or to just keep at it, even though things weren’t working out.
Hopefully #2 goes better and I keep this perspective!!
blogger / apricot / 335 posts
@snowjewelz: That’s awesome! How did you wean off the shield? I’m so scared to give it a try without it! Because afterwards the nipple is going to be so sore!
@Ina85: THank you! Yeah it’s strange because Toddler Pencil was super bald! I had no idea she would have so much hair!
@Littlebit7: Did you see how Olivia Wilde boasted about how natural breastfeeding was for her? I couldn’t disagree more and I always felt bad… it was SO unnatural for me! So much sweating and back hurting! But yes – we need to forgive ourselves for sure! Everyone is SO different. What works for one mom doesn’t always work for everyone else. But thank you for your kind words!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@Mrs. Pencil: it was a slow process! I kept trying to start a feeding without… eventually she did start Nursing without.