Breastfeeding AKA Becoming a Human Milk Machine
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things in the world, it’s beneficial for both baby and mum and let’s face it, it’s cheaper than buying formula (no offence to bottle feeding mums!!) But who said it was going to be easy, or fun?
I am going to use this post to share my experience of the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding. Hopefully someone out there can relate or pick up something from this!
I will keep it 100% real with you, I found the first three days HORRIBLE! My poor nipples are even pulsating right now just thinking back to that time. Before I had Ezekiel, I had researched just about everything to do with everything and knew that the first few days before your milk comes in, you produce (IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS) this thick yellow liquid called colostrum – a protein rich substance that is healthy and sufficient enough for baby. Thank goodness Ezekiel latched on almost immediately, he likes food like his mum, but the pain was not nice at all. It was more of a sting and my nipples were just not used to being constantly pulled on, plus all the emotions and physical changes your body is going through after just giving birth... its no wonder some ladies say they cant and don’t want to breastfeed! I actually do not blame them at all. Plus, all baby seemed to do was cry as if he was hungry but he wasn’t getting enough.
Fast forward to a few days later and my milk came in. It was the middle of the night and my breasts had swollen to the size of a page three model. I put baby to the breast and to my surprise I could hear that he was having a whale of a time and when I pulled him away I could see milk all around his mouth and realised that my milk had actually come in. That same morning, in the shower I was on the verge of crying. Why did my breasts feel like stones please? Plus my nipples were still stinging from the previous few days.
So - time to hit Google and see how to relieve engorged breasts. The thing that seemed easiest was just to express. Previously I had battled in my head whether to get a manual or electric pump... I went for manual to save money and boy oh boy was that a mistake. I pumped for about an hour and got but a few drops. I had to send my hubby to go and get me a electric pump ASAP and that helped me immensely. It was easier, quicker and I just had to sit there and it did all the work.
It’s now been two weeks and a day since I have had Ezekiel and the reason I called this post becoming a human milk machine is because I feel that all I do when he is not sleeping is feed him. They say you can’t overfeed a breastfed baby and to look out for his cues when he is hungry which seems like it’s every time he comes near me! Literally all I do is feed him! I don’t mind as I have actually lost crazy weight from it so far and who wants a skinny baby? But yes, I am a human milk machine but its fine. I was built for this right?
Can I also say nipple cream has been an absolute saviour for me. My nipples were cracked and sore, so very sore. A friend has suggested getting silverette cups – which are basically nipple shields made out of pure silver. Silver is known for its healing properties and I think it’s worth a try. Perhaps I will buy them and update you in the next post.
Until next time x