Challenges With Breastfeeding

I love breastfeeding my baby girl. And I know she loves it too... right now she's dreaming of it as she makes a sucking motion with her mouth every few moments ;) While I love nursing sweet Sofia, it hasn't come without challenges. I am also aware that my challenges are not as big as other mamas (I've heard all kind of stories at mama groups and the weekly breastfeeding support group I attend... low supply which leads to low weight gain and supplementing, oversupply and fast flow which leads to reflex and discomfort, nipple issues and latch problems...) Yet, my challenges are just the same as these mamas. They create frustration, tears, lack of confidence, fears of not being able to do what your baby needs.

First we had latch issues that were caused by tongue tie. These have been remedied, for the most part. I still have some discomfort as she is getting used to things touching the top of her mouth and not causing immense gag reflex and as she gains strength in her tongue. Yet, the end of last week and this weekend, that familiar nipple pain showed up again joined with a repeated milk bleb and a blister. These things are usually caused by the tongue and not being able to stretch it as far as it needs to go. I got worried that her tongue had actually healed back to the place it was before we had it clipped (which would potentially mean another round of clipping!) The pediatrician and a lactation consultant have both checked and agreed that her tongue seems fine and now it's just a matter of training it and strengthening it. (WHEW!)

On top of the discomfort I was feeling there, I ended up with a plugged duct 4 different times, in 3 different places within a week! Mis.Er.A.Ble! (I just remembered that I posted about this after the first plugged duct issue ... oy! Mommy brain!) Saturday night marked the 4th round. It was horrible. I was at the point of sobbing... you know that uncontrollable quivering lip kind of sobbing? Yup. That was where I was as I nursed the sweet baby, sitting on the floor in the office, and Seth looking at me clueless as to what he could possibly do to help me! And I just let it come. I didn't try to stop it. Actually, I needed that. Of course it didn't take the pain away, and the damn duct was still plugged. Luckily, an LC returned my call that evening and was able to give some suggestions as to what I could do at that moment. (Perfect timing!) It did finally go away with the help of Sofia at about 3 in the morning.

I saw the LC today and was given some more suggestions. I go back next week for a follow-up and will hopefully be good to go at that point. Oy. For something that's supposed to be so natural (although it doesn't come naturally - probably due to the lack of women being around other openly breastfeeding women like they would have been a long time ago)... it sure is difficult at times! The nice thing is, despite these challenges, I have no plans on quitting anytime soon! Not even a consideration :)

A Video and a Day of Rest

Above is a video of Sofia earlier this week.

Today, we had plans to go see some friends in Beaverton. I also promised Seth that he could have some time to himself too (especially since he spent yesterday doing lots with us, worked this morning, and has been working like crazy recently). So much for those plans though! 

I woke up in the middle of the night feeling engorged on the right side (damn right side! Constantly something!) I thought I just needed to nurse, but realized that was the side I had nursed on last and upon nursing again, realized the lump and soreness wasn't going away. Immediately, I panicked. I do NOT want to get mastitis! I text Jac (thank gawd for her!) and she had plenty of advice for me on how to take care of the little problem and hopefully prevent it from turning into mastitis! I've been swallowing garlic chopped up garlic cloves every couple hours (not as bad as taking pills because they are surprisingly yummy). This is supposed to keep mastitis from developing. I've been using hot compresses and pumping to empty the right breast and to keep the left from getting engorged since I'm nursing mostly on the right side. The pumping has stressed me out a bit because I am never sure when Sofia is completely done eating, and I really hate to empty all the milk and then have her wanting more! Plus I don't know what it will do to my supply - essentially I've gotten about 4 ounces of milk that she didn't drink today... Is that going to send a message that I need to produce more milk?? Oy! Jac's making soup and offered to make extra for us for dinner (I feel like we will be forever indebted with all their help! Jac - we'll make it up to you someday by watching the kids whenever you need - of course once we have Sofia down and are daring enough to take on 3 at a time ;) 

So, the sunniest day we've had since the rain started (or so it seems) was spent lounging around inside being cared for by Seth. He's changed the baby's diapers, waited on me, brought me food and drinks, set up a little "command center" in the office (so baby and I could be close to him as he worked and spent time on his computer today) with everything I might need to entertain myself. Hopefully we've done enough to keep mastitis away... I'm sure we'll spend most of the next two days just taking it easy around the house to help make sure I'm well. I know someday I'll have to find out what it's like to be sick with a baby, but I'd prefer to keep that away as long as possible!