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As a soon-to-be mom or the latter, you will find that you are bombarded with propaganda advocating the benefits of breastfeeding and about a million how-to guides in every shape and size. Breastfeeding seems to be one of those topics that escapes popular knowledge and conversation until you yourself are pregnant. As soon as the “p” word leaves your lips you will be bowled over by advice, books, guides, pamphlets, videos, magazines, you name it, it’s out there. While it is my sincere hope that your deliveries come off without a hitch, I was one of the many who had very severe complications with my labor and due to this, I was unable to breastfeed right away in the hospital. Due to the enormous amounts of medication I was administered with my labor and surgery and thereafter I was told that I should not begin breastfeeding until a week after the birth of my daughter to make sure all of the medication was flushed from my body.
This is not usually a concern for infants who are born to term and with sufficient birth weight, but because my daughter was five weeks early and weighed a mere 5 lbs 4 ounces, her feeding was a major concern. She was to eat every three hours and we were to record exactly how much she had eaten and if she had wet her diaper or pooped religiously from the first day in the hospital until she was a month old. This is somewhat difficult to determine when you are breastfeeding unless you are using a pump, use your best judgment and pay attention to your baby to make sure she is getting enough.

In most cases, a new mothers’ milk comes in 2-5 days after a birth, but in cases where there is a lot of medication and trauma concerned with a surgery or labor, this isn’t always true. My milk came in immediately after the birth and came in with zeal. I had to change my night gown and sheets several times a day as I was lactating uncontrollably and in large amounts. This was very frustrating to not be able to breastfeed and because I was not able to, I did not get much instruction in the hospital from nurses except the mandatory discharge meeting you have with the nursery. By the time I had gotten home my milk was already receding and I tried to keep it flowing with pumps but did not have much luck. At the one week mark I began trying to breast feed and found that my swollen breasts made it very painful and I could only do it for short periods at a time. I also found that because of her strict eating regimen that I was getting exhausted and dizzy from the breast feeding, almost to the point of nausea.
After I was given some books and help from some friends of mine, including my fiance’s mother, I learned that breastfeeding stimulates a hormone that is administered into breast milk that relaxes both you and the baby, making the experience easier for your both. For some reason this hormone, “oxytocin” , was making me disorientated and at times even causing me to vomit if I fed her too close to my own eating times. I also found that I was eating non-stop and felt like I couldn’t sustain myself and the baby without getting very tired or over eating.
I struggled with my breastfeeding for about two more weeks until I got used to it and my milk was coming in regularly and in stable intervals. In the times between breastfeeding, it was very helpful to have my fiance’ bottle-feed her and before too long she would take either the nipple or the bottle. She is now ten weeks old and I find that she breastfeeds better in the morning, early afternoon, or early evening. If she is too tired she often fusses while breastfeeding and cries until I give her a bottle.
The best advice I can give a new mom is that it is okay to supplement feedings with formula. Gas Drops are great for new tummies and it may take you a few different types of formula to find the one that works the best for your baby. Nothing is cut and dry, but if you can make it past the first three weeks, you can DO IT!!! It IS important for your baby to have breast milk as it contains anti-oxidants and nourishment targeted for your little ones’ needs, but don’t beat yourself up if you have to supplement. You are no less of a great mom if you have to supplement with formula, and it can be a great way for dad and other family to bond with the baby while you get in some extra Zs. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the hype, just take it easy and you will figure out what is best for you as every baby and every breast is different!!! Good luck!!!

Tags: advice, Breastfeeding, complications, formula, help, premature child