I've paused this week to think about my breastfeeding
journey. It has been soo different with both of my babes. I had a really
difficult time nursing Juliet. It was so painful. My nipples bled, cracked and
never seemed to heal. Getting a good latch was nearly impossible. I would sit there for hours trying to get a
good latch, cringing as I tried different positions. A lot of the time we would
both end up crying and frustrated. When we finally got the latching down I had
trouble keeping up my supply. Juliet was not gaining weight. I saw two
different lactation consultants, tried all the tricks I could find on the
Internet to help increase my milk supply. None of it worked. I had to
supplement with formula after four long heartbreaking months. At the time I was
so devastated I had to resort to formula. She gobbled it up instantly, it was
obvious I wasn't filling her up. I felt like my body failed me. I couldn't
nourish my baby on my own. Eventually Because of the supplementing it got
harder and harder to keep up my supply. When our nursing relationship ended I
wondered if I gave up to soon. Could it have worked out if I had tried a little
longer. Looking back, I feel silly. There is nothing wrong with having to supplement. What matters most is that I
was still able to nourish my baby, even if it was with formula.
This time around everything came so naturally for both
John Lucas and I. From his very first latch he was a pro. There has been no
pain, no discomfort, and it's clear by looking at all his little rolls and
double chin that he is getting his fill of mommies milk. My biggest worry has
been returning to work and having to bottle feed. I worry that it will
negatively affect our nursing relationship. So far I have been able to pump and
keep a freezer stash of breast milk to leave for him while I'm away. Nursing
John Lucas has been a wonderful experience and I hope to continue for as long
as I can. I feel so blessed to be able to give myself fully to him. I am
nourishing him and he is nourishing me in so many ways.
Being a mother is so magical, our bodies were made to
nourish our children far beyond the womb. I thank God everyday for giving me
the gift of motherhood.
Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
XO,
Iris
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He tomado tiempo esta semana para reflexionar en mi
experiencia de dar pecho. Mis dos embarazos an si do tan diferentes, igual
también mi relación con mis niños dando pecho.
Antes de ser madre yo juré que darÃa pecho asta que mis
niños cumplieran un año. Pero no fue asÃ. Cuando tuve a Julieta mi experiencia
se me iso tan difÃcil. No podÃa alimentar a mi niña agusto. Era muy doloroso
darle pecho, pero yo insistÃa. Las dos siempre terminábamos frustradas. No la
llenaba, Julieta se la pasaba llorando, y casi no dormÃa en la noche. Llego el
dÃa que le tuve que dar fórmula, y yo me sentà tan frustrada. Mi cuerpo me
fallo. No pude ser el alimento que ella necesita. Que tonta fui, si es cierto
que nada compara con la leche materna, pero eso no es lo más importante. Lo más
importante es que yo pude seguir alimentando a Julieta con fórmula. No importa
que no fue de mi leche, Julieta está sana y sigue cresiedo sanita grasias a esa
fórmula.
Mi relación con Juan Lucas a sido todo lo opuesto. El
tomo a él pecho como todo un profesional. Desde la primera vez que lo alimente,
no sentà dolor y es obvio con los cachetes que se porta que está recibiendo lo
que él necesita. Voy a continuar a dar pecho mientras que pueda. Gracias a dios
por darme el regalo de ser madre.
Feliz semana de la lactancia materna!
XO,
Iris