The Effort to Breastfeed
I have to admit, I was a little naive about breastfeeding. I knew it would be hard and tiring. I knew it could be a struggle and not be as “natural” as I would think it should be. It has been two weeks and I am tired and confused. I think I need a live in lactation consultant!
My son had a tight frenulum, or a tongue tie. That is where the small piece of skin under the tongue does not allow to tongue to extend fully, causing problems eating and speaking, so yesterday he had that piece of skin cut and corrected by the pediatrician.
Yeah, I waited in the waiting room because that was too much for me.
I thought this was the problem with our latch, and it very well could be, but when should it get better?
The last few days though, it is if the baby has regressed and is not latching on properly. I can go to breastfeeding support meetings, but they are only on Fridays. I called my insurance company to see if they covered a lactation consultant coming out for a visit, but of course they do not.
I am watching proper latch on techniques online and reading everything I can about it, but having someone help you is just so much better.
I am still trying to breastfeed and it is a struggle.
Now I know why so many women give up.
Did you have any problems breastfeeding? What advice would you give me about breastfeeding?
breastfeeding, tight frenulum, tongue tied, nursing your kids, nursing, infants, new moms, latch on, troubles latching on, parenting
April 1st, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Erinn, I don’t really have any brilliant advice but think it’s great you’re breast feeding and sorry you’re having trouble. I breast fed all my children but had a bad infection a few months into it with the twins.
The only thing I can say is to keep breaking the suction and attempting to latch back on again properly. A pain in the butt though. Congrats, by the way!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:34 am
[...] Shower Hug by Erinn Breastfeeding has been, well, difficult for me. The baby had a tight frenulum, is a sleepy nurser and my breasts [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
first congratz, second great article.. and i hope the trouble will get a bit less later on, i dont got any kids (4 months remaining) so goodluck and keep up the goodwork.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
[...] Free Pumping by Erinn When I had my lactation consultant come to the house for help, she mentioned Medela had just come out with a hands free pump. I love my Medela swing pump but I [...]
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
[...] pediatrician always told me that my infants didn’t need water, they got enough hydration from breast milk or the formula they had. Now I read that is exactly true. Babies under six months old should not [...]