How do you make it through?

Question

FTM. I’ve coached people through breast feeding before but I’ve never been in it before. 
We are 6 days in and I completely understand how people give up on breastfeeding. I’m super tired and left nipple has to heal. I’ve seen 3 lactation consultants and they agree her latch is good, but her mouth is small and she may have to grow into Left nipple. I started to pump with the Hakka on the left every other feeding.
How do y’all make it through these early weeks? 
Extra complication I had a c-section so I have to heal myself. My husband is pretty supportive, but he deals with sleep deprivation worse than I do.

Answer

Honestly the only way I’ve made it this far is by being able to 1. Sleep when baby sleeps and 2. Nurse laying down when I physically feel done. The first few weeks my body was not used to breastfeeding and I think I was not getting enough nutrients since they were all going to baby (I have since changed my diet which helped too) being able to lay down and feed him help SO MUCH.

Answer

The first three weeks are the worst. You will get over the pain, it becomes mundane and routine. We made it two years nursing. I def understand why some people aren’t cut out for it tho, it’s TAXING

Answer

I was in a similar situation, but I had both of my nipples cracked and bleeding. My c-section was nothing compared to the pain I experienced from breastfeeding. I wanted to quit every feeding every day for the first couple of weeks. I felt like I was missing out on the joys of mommy hood because I was a basket case over bf. I met with the lactation consultant every Monday from the day after we came home until I went back to work 3 1/2 months later. I found it helpful to set goals. The first goal was one month, at one month we were doing a little better, so I set the next goal for 3 months. I’m not saying there weren’t some tough days in between the goals, but when I set my mind on a goal I’m not quitting. Then at around four months we found out my daughter has a dairy allergy, so my last goal became one year. She will only get formula if I absolutely need to because I don’t have enough milk (fortunately we haven’t had to yet). We will hit 9 months on the 11th👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 It’s not easy. No way to sugar coat it, breastfeeding sucks in the beginning!!!! With that said, I promise you it does get so so so much better. Now my struggle is trying to be faster than my daughter’s hands when I’m putting my boob away or she will try to pinch my nipple🤦🏼‍♀️😭 We are here for you. Please lean on us for any support or questions you have.

Answer

You got this momma!! its super hard,  time consuming, and painful! I was jealous of formula moms, especially that first week when I was waiting on my milk to come in. After a few weeks its gets so much easier though, just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel

Answer

I literally cried when she latched on every time. My toes would curl from the pain, I'd have to grab onto something and squeeze. It was miserable!!! Then.... It healed. I was topless all the time, lasinoh cream often and breastfeeding is amazing now. Just wait it out, you can do it! I am sooooo proud of myself, plus, less cleaning, it's healthier, through bond is special. Stick it out! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Answer

I had an emergency c section because my uterus began rupturing. So I can understand your pain. It took me a good 3 weeks for my girl to have a better latch. While the lactation nurses said her latch was good it just became sooooo painful. My nipples cracked and were bleeding. In all honesty I wanted to give up so much and one of my bff's said to suck it up and deal with it. So I did just that. I cried everytime she latches on, hell most of the time I swear it felt like my nipples wanted to run away as soon as she even got close to them, and I would cringe at the thought of her feeding time. Buuuut with all that said, 3 weeks and it got easier. 4 weeks no more pain or tears. She's just over 2 months now and thank the good lord she latches great and let's us sleep 7 hours a night... for the most part. Lol. Just hang in there, dont give up. Buy lanolin cream, use it EVERY SINGLE CHANCE POSSIBLE! I also used warm compresses and also ice packs. Goodluck mama!

Answer

The only way I made it was sleeping when baby was sleeping, even if that’s just for 5 minutes; remembering that my body is not my own right now; seeing a therapist to talk to someone about all my stresses and fears and even unload about how much breastfeeding was making me feel crazy; texting my IBCLC all day long on days when my nursing agitation was at its peak; knowing that this time is so short, so so so short, even though it feels so long.

How do you make it through?

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