BlueHadeda
SAHM to 4 precious kids
- Joined
- May 18, 2011
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I don't want to offend, so if you supplement with formula or pump, you've been warned - this is for exclusively breastfeeding mommies who don't pump or give bottles.
I just feel the need to vent! This is my 4th baby, and the 4th one I'm breastfeeding without any formula or pumping. I've breastfed all my others for 1+ year, so I absolutely know that things will get better and soon. And that you can't compare breastfeeding at 1 month with 3 months, as it gets sooooo easy and wonderful. And that it's not an issue at all after 6 months, because it's so easy. Even easier after 1 year!
But, at this moment, it's HARD. My baby is 5 weeks old, and I'm having a really hard recovery from my c-section (infection in the wound, wound opening up, UTI, etc.) So I'm really struggling to cope with my own pain and healing, dealing with 3 older children and what comes with them (homework, carting them around to school and activities, etc.).
So ontop of all of that, I struggle with all the normal things of breastfeeding. Bad latches, excrutiating pain in the nipples (getting better at last, thank goodness!!), thrush causing shooting pains and itchiness, shoulder aches from hunching forward, lower backaches from sitting so much, headaches from not rehydrating myself enough (because I'm constantly busy or feeding or holding baby!), blocked ducts causing fever and pain, engorgement, etc.
Sometimes, I see the humour in the situation when I hold baby with 1 arm, useing my other hand to lift my top, while pressing with my arm against the unused breast to stop the flow, all the while trying to stop baby from rooting everywhere except latching, her head moving from side to side and she getting upset because she smells the milk.
And her cries causing the milk to flow, spilling down my stomach onto my pants.
But other times I just want to cry when she wakes up for a feed, and I'm not ready yet to deal with the sore nipples, the shooting pains, the struggle, etc. etc. etc.
I love breastfeeding my baby, and nothing will make me stop, or make me supplement with formula or mess with my supply by pumping. But gosh, it's HARD. And when other mommies complain that they couldn't breastfeed and list those reasons, I just want to scream and cry and say yes, it's HARD. For us TOO. Even though we exclusively breastfeed, it's not any easier for us!! We too have cracked bleeding nipples where we have to bite on our teeth not to scream out in pain when baby latches. We too wish that our partner can take a turn at night. We too want a "break". We too need support and understanding and sympathy with the pain and hassle that comes with breastfeeding a newborn. Just because we breastfeed exclusively, doesn't mean it's painless and straightforward and easy for us!!!
We're just darn stubborn in our wish to give our baby the absolute best. Just like when we were pregnant.
Sorry, vent over!
I just feel the need to vent! This is my 4th baby, and the 4th one I'm breastfeeding without any formula or pumping. I've breastfed all my others for 1+ year, so I absolutely know that things will get better and soon. And that you can't compare breastfeeding at 1 month with 3 months, as it gets sooooo easy and wonderful. And that it's not an issue at all after 6 months, because it's so easy. Even easier after 1 year!
But, at this moment, it's HARD. My baby is 5 weeks old, and I'm having a really hard recovery from my c-section (infection in the wound, wound opening up, UTI, etc.) So I'm really struggling to cope with my own pain and healing, dealing with 3 older children and what comes with them (homework, carting them around to school and activities, etc.).
So ontop of all of that, I struggle with all the normal things of breastfeeding. Bad latches, excrutiating pain in the nipples (getting better at last, thank goodness!!), thrush causing shooting pains and itchiness, shoulder aches from hunching forward, lower backaches from sitting so much, headaches from not rehydrating myself enough (because I'm constantly busy or feeding or holding baby!), blocked ducts causing fever and pain, engorgement, etc.
Sometimes, I see the humour in the situation when I hold baby with 1 arm, useing my other hand to lift my top, while pressing with my arm against the unused breast to stop the flow, all the while trying to stop baby from rooting everywhere except latching, her head moving from side to side and she getting upset because she smells the milk.


I love breastfeeding my baby, and nothing will make me stop, or make me supplement with formula or mess with my supply by pumping. But gosh, it's HARD. And when other mommies complain that they couldn't breastfeed and list those reasons, I just want to scream and cry and say yes, it's HARD. For us TOO. Even though we exclusively breastfeed, it's not any easier for us!! We too have cracked bleeding nipples where we have to bite on our teeth not to scream out in pain when baby latches. We too wish that our partner can take a turn at night. We too want a "break". We too need support and understanding and sympathy with the pain and hassle that comes with breastfeeding a newborn. Just because we breastfeed exclusively, doesn't mean it's painless and straightforward and easy for us!!!

Sorry, vent over!
