18Jul2010
Breast Feeding Problems
I read somewhere recently that Denise van Outen decided to give up breast feeding at 3 weeks. It’s quite a brave thing to admit when you consider the pressure new mums are under that ‘Breast is Best’.
Unfortunately, breast feeding your baby, though seemingly the most natural thing in the world, is not always easy at first. I found it more than tricky with my first baby and together we finally got the hang of it after much frustration on both sides and many tubes of Lasinoh and Kamillosan cream!
It was exactly the same with my other two children – kind of a learning process again with each one. It’s difficult to explain to other people how painful cracked nipples are and how you feel like a failed parent if you resort to the bottle. My GP once said that though breast milk is the best nutrition you can offer your baby a sane and less exhausted mother is sometimes more important.
By baby number three I was convinced I would be feeding on the go whilst simultaneously cooking supper for my other two by week one! However, I just couldn’t get my baby to work out how to latch on properly. It was a complete nightmare, I was shattered, very emotional and decided out of desperation to head off to my nearest breast feeding support group. I’m sure for some people these groups are brilliant but I felt very exposed as the counsellor whipped out my breast in a matronly fashion in front of twenty other women and proceeded to instruct me as milk sprayed everywhere!
After this disastrous experience I called my husband sobbing into my mobile to come and take me home. Eventually I found a fantastic NCT Breast Feeding Counsellor. This lovely local mum saw me a couple of times on a one-to-one basis which worked out much better for me. She gave me so much amazing support with my third baby and was a shining example of sisterhood
The things I found most helpful at first with breast feeding difficulties were the following:
Silicon breast feeding shields – one of the most experienced midwives I came across said to me that whatever works for you is fine. The worry of not being able to latch your baby on properly and the agony of sore, bruised nipples can be helped in the short time by these shields, giving your body a bit of recovery time.
Avent breast pump – on days when I was just too sore to feed I would express my milk and feed via a bottle. The midwife suggested that this is a time consuming way around things and should be avoided until your feeding is well established but needs must at times.
Lasinoh Cream – this magic little purple tube of cream is really soothing and need not be wiped off prior to feeding.
My Breast Friend – a handy wrap around pillow which helps you to position your baby properly.
Seek support from your health visitor and GP, making sure that feeding problems don’t lead to mastitis – blocked milk ducts.
My best friend is a tandem breast feeding mum, feeding her two toddlers and baby! She is an enthusiastic member of the La Leche League and helps other mums with feeding difficulties. Naturally I sometimes compare myself to her and it took me a long time to realise that just because I found feeding harder than some, it was no reflection of my ability to be a good mummy.
Another friend of mine openly admits that she is repulsed by all aspects of breast feeding. It never even crossed her mind that she would do anything other than feed her babies with SMA and a bottle. I was a bit shocked by this as she is such a loving and thoughtful mum in so many other ways.
I guess the key is to keep things in perspective when you are feeling stressed about breast feeding or having difficulties. If you can do it then that’s brilliant for you and your baby, if you really struggle then just do what’s best for your family either by mixed or bottle feeding. At the end of the day the most important thing is that you enjoy your baby.
