Our obstacles to breastfeeding

Breastfeeding did not happen naturally for us.  Mia's leg rolls might have you believe a different story, but those rolls took some work!  We had to overcome several obstacles to continue to breastfeed.  However, I was very determined to breastfeed, so I stuck with it through the pain and tears.  I was blessed to have great resources along the way and a supportive husband.  I consider myself one of the lucky ones who is able to sustain my daughter by breastfeeding.  I know breastfeeding can be difficult, so I wanted to share my story to help others who might be struggling.  

Once Mia was born, she latched on fairly quickly, so I thought she would be one of those "natural breastfeeding" babies.  HA!  Once we got up to the postpartum floor, the nurse helped me get her back on my breast.  She told me to "sandwich" my breast and point my nipple up to try to help her keep latched on.  Nothing helped her keep latched on for very long.  The nurse said that I needed a nipple shield.  I did not know much about nipple shields, but for some reason, I felt like I did not want one.  I was reluctant at first, and wanted to do some research before I agreed to this artificial piece of silicone.  

We did not discuss a nipple shield again until the morning after we all had some sleep.  By that time, a new nurse had come on shift, and also recommended a nipple shield.  I asked more about them and asked to have a lactation consultant come and talk with me. 

The nurse and the lactation consultant explained to me that I had short (inverted) nipples making it difficult for Mia to latch on and stay latched on.  I decided to give the nipple shield a try.  By this point, my nipples were already pretty sore.  They showed me how to properly use the nipple shield and explained how it worked.  Basically you put the nipple shield over your nipple and the baby sucks creating the suction needed to elongate the nipple.  

This is the nipple shield we use - The Medela contact nipple shield

After we introduced the nipple shield, Mia could latch on AND stay latched on, BUT my nipples were becoming more and more sore.  The pain was getting worse and my nipples were starting to crack, bleed, and scab.  By the time the damage to my nipples was unbearable, I was already home.  Breastfeeding was extremely painful.  Showers were painful.  Everything was painful.  When my milk came in, I just wanted to cry I was in so much pain. 

At Mia's first check-up, I mentioned to the nurse practitioner (NP) that I thought Mia was tongue-tied.  I noticed that when she cried her tongue had a heart shape to it.  I knew that was a sign and what to look out for from a rotation I did when I was in school.  The NP agreed and got a second opinion from a doctor in the practice.  They gave us the option to clip her frenulum at that point or wait until her 2 week appointment to see if things got better.  We opted to have the procedure that day.  

Looking back, I can see how parents would want to hold off clipping their brand new baby's frenulum in hopes that things will get better.  Well let me tell you, a frenulum will not loosen on its own in 2 weeks.  Things may get better, but more than likely they will get worse.  Your nipples will continue to be damaged, your baby might lose interest in breastfeeding because it is hard, and your baby could potentially lose weight.  I totally understand how moms give up on breastfeeding or start supplementing with formula at this point.  

Thankfully, we clipped Mia's frenulum early on, and my nipples finally caught a break.  After the procedure, my nipples healed and Mia could finally breastfeed without any obstacles in her way.  I have talked to several people whose pediatricians would not clip their baby's frenulum, and subsequently could not breastfeed and/or dealt with speech problems down the road.  

The procedure is quick and takes approximately 5 minutes.  I think the part that Mia hated the most was being held down.  They clipped her frenulum, held pressure with gauze, and that was it.  I silently cried the whole time and bawled once we got back to the room, but Mia was fine once they stopped holding her down.

Mia with the NP moments after the procedure, ready to go home

I am so glad that we stuck it out and continue to breastfeed to this day.  It was not easy, but I definitely think it was worth it.  

If you are having problems with breastfeeding, get some help to see if the problem can be fixed.  Here are some resources:

La Leche League hotline: 877-452-5324

National breastfeeding hotline: 800-994-9662

Infant risk center (safe medication info while breastfeeding): 806-352-2519

http://kellymom.com/ - This is the website that I use the most for random breastfeeding questions and reassurance.  It has great evidence-based breastfeeding advice and articles.

Books:

I read this book for graduate school and I'm glad I did.  It is an easy read and I still refer back to it from time to time when I have questions.  You can buy it here on Amazon.

  
I am definitely not a breastfeeding expert and am in no way giving you medical advice on how to handle the issues you may be having with breastfeeding, so please do not take this post in that manner.  However, I am a breastfeeding advocate, and wanted to share our story in the hopes that it might help someone.  

Mia says "YES" to breastfeeding!  : )