Some women are most comfortable when they have extra pillows. Others prefer to lie on their side. Many women like to keep the lights low and the room quiet. There are even women that enjoy watching TV at the same time. I think it is all about experimenting and finding what you like best.
Breastfeeding did not come easy for me. But, then again, there are many things about parenting that are not easy. With my first child, I did not have the resources that I needed to make it successful. I probably would have nursed my first baby longer if I knew then what I know now.
My goal in writing this article is to offer support to other Moms that want to breastfeed and are trying to get into their comfort zone.
A newborn baby will eat nearly every 2 hours and sometimes for an hour at a time. That is what my kids did. In the hospital, the nurses showed me several different holding positions. What I found worked for me, was to switch to different positions every time I fed my son. I was most comfortable with the tummy to tummy hold so I would start with that. After he had eaten on both sides, I would switch to the football hold. This helped me from becoming really sore.
Once home, I did use the Boppy and it worked well until he grew bigger. I had two favorite chairs that I would rock and feed him in. I learned very late with my second son that I could actually bring him (he was 9 or 10 months) back to my bed for any early morning feeding. He did great eating and falling back to sleep safely between my husband and I.
As my newborn was learning to nurse, it was clumsy for both of us. I did get sore but I kept trying to get the correct latch. I was drowning in the newborn zone. So much that I forgot that IT DOES GET BETTER. He was about 6 weeks old when I called my friend crying, “I don’t think I can do this for a year. I don’t think I can do it for one more feeding. I am sore and I am tired!”
My dear friend gave me the greatest piece of advice. She told me, “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Don’t think about a year from now. Give yourself today. Breastfeed him today. You can’t make a true decision when you are feeling like you are. Get through today and then see if you can make it just another day.”
I woke up the next day and it was a little better. And the next day, even better. My baby is now 10 months and he is 21 pounds, enjoying baby cereal and baby food and still LOVES his milk. When I feed him now, he knows just what to do. It is hard to remember the time when breastfeeding was such a challenge.
If you are a new Mom and want to breastfeed, talk to your friends, consult lactation specialists, get the information that will help you. Learn the different positions and choose what works best for you.