When I first became pregnant, the idea of breastfeeding was uncharted territory. My mother had not been able to bf me...but she had my brothers. She let me know her thoughts. I had a few friends that also shared their thoughts. So, I was interested.
I was nervous, to say the least. Once our son was born, I tried in the hospital. Needless to say, he inherited my fiery Spanish temper... and it was not an easy task to attempt. After many failed attempts, I was almost ready to give up.
LC specialists came in... often cramming my tiny little man's head into my chest - which only served to anger him further. A day and a half went by, and I was reduced to tears. My baby boy was crying from hunger, I was trying to pump and getting literally drops, as milk had not come in. My husband came into the room one morning to find me cuddling the baby and bawling my eyes out.
Being an attentive husband, he immediately asked me what was wrong. I don't know how he was able to make out what was bothering me from my sobs and snotty breaths, but he somehow managed. He immediately spoke to the nurse manager... and our nursing team sprang into action.
A feeding schedule was made, the nurses vowed we should always try bf first... and as a last resort formula feed, if baby refused. The rest of the stay was so much more pleasant.
It wasn't until I was home for a couple of days that my milk actually came in... at which time, the baby was still rather frustrated with the whole ordeal, and didn't want to latch much. So I pumped like a mad woman. Once he got a taste for mama's milk, he loved feeding.
In short, while it was very difficult to get to the point of baby latching properly and feeding well... the experience was well worth the heartache and frustration. Breast feeding was one of the most rewarding and amazing experiences I have ever gone through.
I'm glad I stuck to my guns and didn't just give up... because it really led to some wonderful bonding time for myself and the LN... and that time was the best time I've invested in anything in my life. LM is one of the greatest investments in my life... and he's well worth every single minute I get to spend with him.
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