Try, try, try again
Nov 04 '00
This is a debate which I wasn't going to get into
as breasfeeding for me is still quite an emotive
subject, but I'll give it a try since I've just
read another opinion which has inspired me to
share my experience.
First of all, I am very in favour of breastfeeding,
especially at the beginning - the first milk or
colostrum contains useful protection against
infection. So, even for those mothers who decide
that they would rather bottle-feed, it's worth
trying breastfeeding for the first six weeks or so.
So, here I was into the second stage of my pregnancy,
and I'd just been reading a book about breastfeeding
which made me realise that it's not always easy at
first, but that nearly every woman is able to do with
practice and support.
And then my baby's born three months early.
But that's not a real problem - it's possible to use
breast-pump and express the milk. In fact, I was
positively encouraged by the nursing and medical
staff that any milk I produced would give my baby the
best start.
So, onto "Daisy" and the regular pumping sessions. At
first I produced a miniscule amount of colostrum, but
I was assured that was OK since my baby was only able
to cope with tiny amounts anyway. And everyone told
me that the milk would arrive in a rush. Well, it didn't.
Despite trying everything recommended - from taking my
baby's clothes home to smell, drinking a little alcohol
to help things along, to having a bath - the milk I
was able to produce was not enough for my baby's needs.
I did have about a week when I was almost keeping up
with demand but that was all.
And I was very fortunate that both hospitals my daughter
was in had specific breastfeeding advisors, so I did
have added support - I even tried a contraption which
stimulates the baby to suck by putting a thin tube of
formula milk into his/her mouth while having them on
the breast.
Yes, I did persevere, but things just didn't work out.
I managed to give my daughter some breast milk for
her first few months, but it wasn't an easy experience.
I'm pleased that I did manage to give her that, but it
was difficult, especially for the night feeds as I was
trying her on the breast, bottle-feeding her and then
pumping afterwards.
If I am blessed with another child, I am very keen to
breastfeed, but my experience suggests it may not be
easy, especially at first.
So, please all you mothers out there for whom breastfeeding
was easy after the initial "teething" (!) problems, spare
a thought for those who try hard and still can't quite
manage properly.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
amysmum
|
|
Member: Catriona Sinclair
Location: Bonny Scotland
Reviews written: 165
Trusted by: 92 members
About Me:
Autumn is on the way...time to curl up with a good book.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.