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Nursing Emma

by adoptabeach@aol.com

I made the decision to breastfeed during my pregnancy. I read a lot of stuff about the benefits of breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding, and the only benefits to bottle-feeding were all benefits for the mother, and I want to do what's best for my baby. There are no benefits for the baby in formula feeding.

When Emma was born, I started breastfeeding shortly after birth. I had read up on techniques and proper positioning and latch on before delivery, so I was ready. Emma was ready as well and took to nursing beautifully. A few seconds after Emma latched on, my nipples hurt. From what I read, it had to be from improper positioning and latch-on. So I broke Emma off and tried again. The same thing happened. I kept trying, but it was still painful. I knew she was getting colostrum/milk, so I decided to just deal with it until the lactation consultant came the next morning. I told her I was experiencing some pain, so she helped me to position and latch-on correctly, which was the same way I had been doing it. My nipples were not cracked, thrush was not present. There wasn't anything else she could do for me except to advise me to try many different positions.

After I got out of the hospital, I tried every position imaginable. All of them hurt. After a few weeks of increasing pain and soreness, I tried pumping. I thought if pumping didn't hurt as bad, I would pump all her feedings, but it hurt just as much, plus it took longer, increasing the soreness. I tried the ointments, even though my nipples were not dried or cracking. I did everything to try to relieve the pain, but to no avail.

About 2 months after birth, the pain peaked. The pain was enough to make me wince, and although it was worse in the beginning of the feeding, it remained painful throughout the entire feeding, and between feedings. I thought about quitting, but I had recently read a study that researchers did on SIDS. Out of 70 children that died of SIDS, only 3 were breastfed. 67 were formula fed. That was enough for me, even though there are hundreds of other health benefits. I refused to quit, and just said to myself, "I don't care how much it hurts, I am going to deal with the pain for my child's sake."

Now, Emma is 6 months, and I am really glad that I made the commitment to keep breastfeeding. Slowly the pain subsided, and after about 3 1/2 months, it was not painful anymore. Some feedings I will still experience some pain, and sometimes when she has a growth spurt, but usually, it is not really painful anymore. I think I just had sensitive nipples, and it took a while for them to get used to it.

It makes me proud that I put my problems aside for the benefit of my child, and I would encourage anyone having problems to seek help, but above all, do what is best for the BABY. If you quit for a reason that is for your own benefit, that's being selfish. And I don't think selfish people have any business being parents. Parenting takes selflessness and commitment. If you can't commit to breastfeeding, how can you commit to discipline, education, etc?

If you want to raise your children properly, start off by giving your child the easiest food to digest. Breastmilk. Give your child the food that is proven to lower the risk of SIDS, pneumonia, ear infections, colds, flu, juvenile arthritis, cancer, and many other diseases. Please don't be selfish to your children. Breastfeed!

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