In my family, it's expected that you will breastfeed your
babies. My mother breastfed my sister and me, my grandmother breastfed all
three of her children, and my great-grandmother did the same. We were taught
it's best for the baby and a fantastic bonding experience. I learned later, that although natural, and
normal, it doesn't necessarily come naturally.
Our son, Elijah Rex, was born January 17th at 10:12 a.m. He
was immediately put on my chest and after cutting the cord and staring at the
most angelic face in the world, our doula, Barbara Davis, and the nurses
assisted in helping him latch for the first time. It was an amazing experience
that in that moment, I was all our sweet little boy needed for sustenance.
In the hospital, Eli showed us that he loves to eat. With
the help of the nurses, my mom, and my husband, he seemed to have little
trouble latching as long as I could get him into the proper position. It was
recommended by the lactation consultant that I get the My Brestfriend pillow,
and that seemed to make all of the difference in the world.
I headed home from the hospital confident that I could do
this. Two hours later, my husband was on the phone calling my mom for help
because I just couldn't get Eli to nurse. My milk decided to make its arrival.
I was engorged, he couldn't get a good latch, we were both frustrated, and he
was hungry. Luckily, she lives less than 15 minutes away and was there in a
flash.
For the next two weeks, it took quite a few tears, visits
from my Doula with helpful tricks and tips, and four hands to get him into
the proper position, get me at the right angle and get him to latch. He was
great at eating once he was there, but after getting him attached, we would all
just hold our breath and not move a muscle. Toward the end of the first two
weeks, we were slowly starting to figure it out. We started working together
and it became an enjoyable experience rather than the every 2-3 hour battle.
Now, at two and one- half months old, I feel like we are
almost professionals. He loves to nurse and I love to be able to look at those
big blue eyes and know that I am giving him the best nutrition he can possibly
have. I am so glad to have not given up
during those first, very rough and frustrating, two weeks and so appreciative
to have had my mother's help.
(Just a quick update 02/16: Eli just turned 13 months and we
are still going strong! I plan on letting him wean when he's ready and that
doesn't appear to be anytime soon. The World Health Organization says to go
until babies are at least two, so I have no worries.)
