We have been really busy... it's that time of year! There's been lots going on but mostly, it feels like I've been breastfeeding. And pumping. And then breastfeeding some more.
Gwendolyn has been exclusively breast fed these past 4 months. I feel fortunate that it worked out and I have been able to feed her this way but it is A LOT of work! I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I would not change my decision but there's some things books, blogs and your friends and family just do not tell you!
Here's a little (actually, long) walk through my breast feeding journey.
January
Gwendolyn was only alive 4 days. These first few days were filled with lots of skin to skin contact, on demand feeding and ups and downs. Incredible and exhausting. I didn't really worry about the details. I had the luxury of nurses to watch over everything, monitor feedings and weight gain and tell me what I was doing wrong (or right)!
When I found out I'd have a C-section one of my main concerns was not being able to nurse right away as the parenting classes told us how critical this first skin to skin contact was for bonding and breastfeeding success. But when it came down to it, I was able to feed her within an hour of her birth and she immediately latched! She ate for an hour. It was an amazing and magical time!
One the second or third day (it's all a blur now) she was feeding every hour and still not satisfied. Nurses explained my milk was not coming in fast enough to give her enough to maintain her weight. We had to supplement with formula because she had lost too much and developed a fever. I worried all my breastfeeding dreams were shot but after one night of supplementation (Chris fed her these bottles), she bounced back and we've been fine ever since.
February
Once we were shipped out of the hospital, reality hit. I now had to remember when and how long she was eating, how many times per day, how many diapers and which breast I last fed all on my own?! My sister in law mentioned her friend using an app on her iPhone which I immediately researched, downloaded and put to good use!
It's called Baby Nursing by Sevenlogics and it's a lifesaver! The app is so useful because it times your feedings, tracks which breast you last fed on and gives you
monthly stats for how long you nursed (these numbers are CRAZY) and how many feedings you completed. Definitely a nursing Mommy Must-have and makes you look like you know what you're doing come check-up time! Even better, it's free.
We got home and I found my way (with Chris' support) through these first few weeks. Something no one mentions often is that breastfeeding is painful! It's not terrible, but it does hurt. And I don't think it's only when the baby is latched incorrectly (which is what I read all over the internet). By week 3 I wanted to throw in the towel and quit. I scoured the internet for information and pictures of proper latching. Every time we started a feeding and Gwen would begin to latch, I'd brace myself for the pain and lose my breath for a few seconds.
I'm happy I stuck with it, because the pain passed. I think some of the pictures and tutorials I saw online helped with latching (and Lanolin cream and soothing pads) too. All the emotions and agony that came with breastfeeding was worth it at our one week and one month check-ups, when Dr. Kumar told us Gwendolyn was healthy and gaining weight!
{Stats for February: 241 feedings x approximately 20 minutes per feeding = 4,716.9 minutes spent breastfeeding}
March
Gwendolyn began going longer in between feedings. Sometimes 4 hours. There was no more pain or sore/swollen/hot breasts. We waited until 4 weeks or so before giving her a pacifier which helped some. I also began pumping this month which allowed Chris to start giving her a bottle each night before bed. Having his help for just one feeding per day really felt wonderful and provided some essential bonding time for baby and daddy!
Pumping came pretty easily and I was able to borrow my sister's pump which saved us the expense! Another disclaimer: lots of supplies are necessary for pumping and storing breastmilk. Reality also hit. In my dream world, Gwendolyn would have breastmilk until she turned a year old but I would not be pumping when I went back to work in September. Once I started pumping, I realized this little notion of mine was not realistic at all. I went into a pumping frenzie and began freezing as much as possible. Luckily, I have a lot of milk in which to do so.
Our freezer is packed with milk but it still will not be enough for my plan to come to fruition. I'm going to see how it goes through the summer and make a decision closer to September. I will either continue pumping (throughout the day, while at work which seems like a nightmare) or we will have to supplement with formula.
While I do not think it will be the end of the world if I stop pumping and we start formula, this
site which has a timeline of breastfed babies lists all of the benefits (that I'd never heard about) of breastfeeding for specific lengths of time during the baby's first year, really has me wanting to stretch this out as long as possible. It's incredible to see what diseases and other ailments breast milk protects children against as babies and later in life!
{Stats for March: 245 feedings x approximately 23 minutes per feeding = 5,617.3 minutes spent breastfeeding}
April
By April we were really getting into the swing of things! Gwendolyn and I were on the same page, Chris had his bedtime and bottle routine down and our pumping and freezing system was in full swing! Then her 3 month growth spurt hit... Our schedule and routine went out the window and we were basically starting from scratch again.
She was waking up at random times in the middle of the night and during the day. She was not nursing at specific times either. We had to change around her bed time as she was either totally melting down at night or wide awake. I also was not able to pump and store as much because Gwendolyn was eating so much more frequently. (The stats do not depict this, but keep in mind Chris was now giving her at least 1 bottle per day)
{Stats for April: 209 feedings x approximately 24 minutes per feeding = 5,065.1 minutes spent breastfeeding}
May
This month we have attempted to get into more of a routine. It seems to have worked its way out and we're getting into a consistent schedule, but still not completely there. Her growth spurt has definitely passed and I've read babies are much more efficient at feeding now, which cuts down on their time on the breast. This seems to be true for Gwendolyn although again, the stats do not reflect this as they show her now eating for longer than she has in past months!
We have begun giving Gwendolyn bottles (of breastmilk) at other times of day, not just night. When we're out for extended periods I usually bring a bottle or two. But then this impacts my milk production so it's tricky. If I skip feeding her on the breast I should be pumping instead. I'm cautious now and still figuring it out because I do not want to decrease my milk supply.
With the hot summer months coming up (or here now, as it was 90 today) I'm not sure how well breastfeeding will go with a hot and sweaty momma and baby but plenty of people do it, right? I find myself not using the app as often now that we are in a routine, but still have some stats to share.
{Stats for May: 192 feedings x approximately 26 minutes per feeding = 4,910.4 minutes spent breastfeeding}
And finally, a grand total of the past 4 months of breastfeeding:
{Combined Stats for February-May: 887 feedings x approximately 23 minutes per feeding = 20,309.7 minutes spent breastfeeding}
I am really proud of myself for sticking to it and accomplishing this goal. It's certainly not easy but absolutely worth it. Gwendolyn is happy and healthy, gaining weight. Plus, we've saved a ton of money too! :)
I had intended to give you a list of supplies I've found essential for breastfeeding but that'll have to wait for another post... because it's time to nurse again!
