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Hello, welcome to my page on breastfeeding. In case you haven't visited my homepage yet, let me introduce myself. My name is Diana. I have been married to Chris for just about 9 yrs. We have 2 sweet little boys: Justin, 6yrs., and Nicholas, 2 2/3 yrs. old. Both
of my children were breastfed for a time. Before I get into my experience
as a nursing mom, let me tell you why I decided to breastfeed my kids.
First of all, it seemed the most natural thing to do. Our bodies are
equipped to feed, nurture,and care for our babies in every way. Second,
breast milk, and the foremilk-colostrum, that comes in first, is easy
on baby's underdeveloped digestive system,has all the nutrients baby
needs, and colostrum has all the antibodies of the mother to give
baby a boost to the immune system.. Another reason I chose to breastfeed is because there is nothing to buy, like formula, other than some good nursing bras if you choose to use them. It's easy on the pocketbook. Plus, I knew that it would help my uterus return to it's normal size, and help me lose all those extra pounds I gained during pregnancy. I am a big adovocate for breastfeeding, but I don't look down on those who don't breastfeed. I feel it is a personal choice. As long as you love your baby, care for him both emotionally and phisically, you are doing your job as a mom. I know many good moms that for one reason or another could not breastfeed their baby. . MY NURSING
EXPERIENCE My breastfeeding
experience started with my first son, Justin. I had a c-section, so
I was in the hospital for 3 days. (Visit Justin's
Birth Story.) Justin was a good nurser. He opened his mouth wide,
and we didnt' have any trouble getting him to latch on properly. When we got home, he started out ok, but as soon as I went off my pain medication, he didnt' do as well. He refused to nurse on one side, and he kept latching on good, but then pulling back so he only had the nipple. That was just a little bit painful! I started to work with a Lactation consultant to try and figure out what the problem was. Justin was nursing all the time, but not gaining weight. He continued to fight the breast. I tryed everything. I even pumped breast milk using an expensive, commercial, rented pump, but nothing was working. My Pediatrician was very supportive of my efforts. Finally, when Justin was aboout 2mos. old, we'd just had enough, and decided to switch to formula. When I confided that I was feeling guilty about our decision, my consultant told me that she thoght I gave it suffiecient time, and that she was really surprised, and impressed, I lasted as long as I did. Justin was bottle-fed from then on When I was pregnant with Nicholas, I thought, "here's my second chance>" I vowed to do things a little differently. I had anothe c-section, so I was in the hospital for 4 days this time. (Visit Nicky's Birth Story.) As soon as we got to the recovery room, he started nursing. He was a hungry little bugger! I had a little more trouble getting him to latch on properly, his mouth was smaller, so it didn't open very wide. He did ok in the hospital though. But again, at home, as soon as I came off the medication, the trouble started. (See my High Need Children page.) He refused to nurse on one side, and when he nursed on either side, he pulled back alot. I had to keep latching him on several times at each feeding, which was painful. Plus he seemed to want to nurse every hour for at least an hour, and with an active 3 1/2yr. old, I just couldn't do it. Nicholas also was not gaining weight. Again, I worked with a number of different breastfeeding consultants, including a La Leche League leader. Nothing was working, including pumping my breasts. Finally, again, we decided to switch to formula, when he was 3mos. old. At least he nursed for 1 month longer. With all the trouble we went through, I still cherish those moments, when it was just me and my nursing son. I would never give those moments up for anything! I only wish they lasted longer.
That was my nursing experience. Please don't let it discourage you. My intent for this page, was to encourage nursing, and to say how much I did enjoy it when my sons were nursing. They grow up all too soon! The first few weeks can be a little trying, as both baby and mother get used to and learn how to nurse together, but most women go on to a nice, healthy, easy, and sometimes, long experience.
For more
information on breastfeeding, and how to overcome problems in breastfeeding,
contact your local chapter of La Leche League, or go to one or all of
the links below.
I would love to hear your nursing experience! E-mail me your experience, or send me a link to your nursing experience if you have it on your website. I will put your link on this page under "Others Experiences". Don't forget to sign my guestbook!
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