Ties and Lots of Support – April and son

 

When I was pregnant with my son, I decided I wanted to breastfeed. But I never truly believed I would be successful at it. My biggest goal was a VBAC and I quickly learned that the best way to make that possible was an intervention free birth. My focus turned to everything all natural, so breastfeeding became very important to me. Not to mention, it is more economically friendly for a single mom. The birth went exactly as I planned, and I got everything I wanted. My first experiences with breastfeeding were awkward and I found the sensation incredibly uncomfortable. My nipples cracked and one even bled. But we continued. There were times when I pumped and bottle fed, just get a break from the pain. At my six week follow up with my midwife, I told her about my troubles and mentioned that I experienced some healing when I bottle fed, but it would get bad again when I breastfed. This led her to suspect he may have a tongue tie. Soon after, my doula assessed him and agreed. I wasn’t able to get an appointment for his frenectomy until he was about 2 months old.  Turned out he did have a slight tongue tie, but his lip tie was more severe. After his procedure, things began to improve but there was still pain. He attended several sessions of craniosacral therapy to help loosen up his bones and joints, but my baby was just a high-strung, uptight baby. I remember telling the therapist that I was determined to experience pain-free breastfeeding if it took three years! I returned to work when he was almost 4 months old. This finally gave my body the time it needed to truly heal and eventually one day I was in bed, breastfeeding in a side lying position and I thought to myself “Hey, we’re doing it!” Just like that, I no longer felt like I was “trying to” breastfeed but we were finally getting good at it!

Without a doubt, I credit our success to the support of the amazing women we have been lucky enough to have in our lives. My mother spent the first two weeks post-partum with me. She was there to hold me when I cried because my baby was latched 24 hours a day (or at least it felt like it). She cooked for me and even spoon fed me once while I breastfed! My doula, Kathy O’Brian, was the most incredible support anyone could have! She encouraged me with her special brand of tough love, which is exactly what I needed. She kept me away from pacifiers, nipple shields and supplementing. Lactation consultant, Mellanie Sheppard, her colleagues, Kara Rosales and Naya Weber and all of the women in the For Babies’ Sake breastfeeding group were my sanity! Meeting with them once a week, and being able to talk to others who are on the same journey was imperative to my success. And my close friend, Meridith White was always available to answer any questions I had, and was always encouraging. She gave me the single most important piece of advice, which was “it gets better”. Now, my son is 18 months old and still breastfeeding. I have to say, after age one is when it really gets good. There is no more pumping, no more engorgement, he’s old enough to tell me he wants “nenes”, and it gives me quiet, cuddle time with my busy little curious boy. I plan to continue until he decides he is done.