B is for...Breastfeeding

Before Baby B was born, I was adamant about three things:

1, I would exclusively breastfeed
2, A disposable nappy would not touch my baby's body
3, We would NOT give him a dummy. EVER


I have given in on every single one of these resolutions but this particular post is about breastfeeding; to explain why, despite the fact that I probably live in the most pro-breastfeeding part of the country I found the whole process excruciating.

Straight after Baby B was born, I was helped to breastfeeding by the lovely midwife who delivered him. We were transferred to the maternity ward and I tried to breastfeed him a few times, but he only took tiny amounts then fell asleep on my breast. I had been up for two days and had just been through a very physical natural labour. I didn't know where the midwives' station was and I didn't want to leave my baby to go and find help. I was too exhausted to think to press the call bell.

After being on the maternity ward all afternoon, we were finally seen by a midwife at about seven in the evening. I explained that I'd like some breastfeeding support as I'd been struggling and she very helpfully said the following:

"Well, you've missed about four feeds now, haven't you. I know he looks peaceful, but it can be very difficult to tell the difference between a content baby and one with dangerously low blood sugar."

This put the fear of God into me and I unsuccessfully tried to feed B until J had to go home- no visitors on the labour ward after nine. Shortly after that another midwife came in and told me it was 'very important' I didn't move my shoulder as I could 'seriously hurt myself' and that I should 'squash the baby's head' onto my breast. Surprisingly this also didn't work. At midnight another midwife showed me a technique that did actually work.

This worked at proper intervals until we were home the next evening. Then at 7pm baby B started to feed and wouldn't stop until 4am the next morning. I was in agony. We had to call my in-laws at 3.30am and ask them to go the 24 hour Tesco to buy us some formula.

I couldn't breastfeed again until the following day because of the pain in my nipples. It seems that collostrum wasn't enough for my enormous baby. When my milk came in, I tried t mixed feed but B just seemed to prefer the bottle and I found the process of getting my boob out and being rejected horrible- particularly with all the hormones.

I'm aware that breast is viewed as best because it's natural but considering that my baby was only born safely because of synthetic hormones- natural isn't always the way to go. Sometimes western medicine and artificial help are the best cause of action.

A few weeks later, somebody in my NCT class told me they'd had the same problems breastfeeding, but they'd persevered for a few days. When they were routinely visited by a midwife, she told them that their son was dehydrated and malnourished and to take him the children's hospital straightaway. They are now happily breastfeeding but I'm glad that my baby didn't have to go through that.

Breastfeeding is great when it works and when it's the only option but where formula is available and affordable we really do have a choice to make.