Breastfeeding or bottle feeding, is that really your choice? My goal was to breastfeed only the first 4 months. But This didn’t happen. For the new moms out there, even if you have a natural birth, it can happen that your milk supply comes up well, slow or not enough. The slow start can come from different reasons: your body is slower in start, Having a epidural during birth, Having a planned C=section.
Because I had a planned C-section + epidural my milk supply had a slow start, what is totally normal. My water didn’t break, I didn’t have a 12–20-hour contractions/labor. What means that my body didn’t go true this process and hormonal change. It had to recognize the change when my baby was already out, and therefore it’s normal that the signals are behind.
It was a fight the first view day. My little girl did great, but there wasn’t any or enough milk yet. She had to work too hard, lost some weight (what is totally normal) and therefore we had to change the plan. I started pumping every 4 hours, so I knew exactly how much is coming out of my breasts and how much we have to ad with additional milk. Pumping every 3 hours would help to boost my milk supply. I still couldn’t help feeling like I was failing my child.
The adjustment was hard on me, but when I started to see day by day that my supply slowly was going up and mostly, we were able to give her my breast milk and the additional milk was just a little, it made me calmer. In the end for me it’s more important that she mostly gets the mother milk and that I’m able to give her. So, I’m not failing. Actually, it made things a little easier for me, because my little girl wasn’t only depending from me and my breast. Now her father could also give her a bottle and have more bonding time with her. We are more able to work as a team and each take 1 night shift feeding so we both also can get more sleep. I must give my husband credit to be so supportive and helpful for her and me with my recovery. I can’t imagine having to do it all alone all the time, so big respect to those single moms.
Later when I know my girl gained more weight, is stronger and I see my milk supply is up, I do want to bring her back to breastfeeding as well. Just to make sure she is familiar with all options. This makes it in the long run easier to adjust now or to the situations you’re in. For example, during traveling, from the breast is the fastest and easiest.
Also, I really would recommend following a breastfeeding workshop to get all kinds of information about the different options of feeding, but also key points and tips for breastfeeding. What was the handiest tip for me, is that even if you only want to give breastfeeding for a while. Start introducing the bottle 1 time a day from 6 weeks old. Your baby will lose their sucking ability around 10 weeks. Then they only want to keep going with what they’re familiar with. This can then make it a real struggle to change from breastfeeding to bottle feeding. But if they know both already, it will make the transition much easier.
I use the EVITE wireles breastpump. I'm really happy with it, because i can still do things around the house while i'm pumping.
I hope you find the blog helpful. Still, this I only my opinion and experience. Do what makes you feel good. Each family and child are different, there is no wrong or right.
Ciao >_<
Nikita Ramona
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties