N
Noelle610
Guest
Happy to help!
1. What preparation had you made for breastfeeding before babies arrival?
I was dead set on breastfeeding. I bought an expensive breast pump (medela pump in style), nursing bras, nipple cream, a boppy & my breast friend pillows, the works. I even took a breastfeeding class at the hospital where I delivered.
2. What kind of birth did you have. (please mention any interventions if there were any.)
Relatively complicated. Went to the hospital for induction 10 days past my due date. My water broke prior to induction. Baby began coming out arm and hand first. Prior to any intervention, an OBGYN at the hospital attempted to reposition the baby (ouch!) unsuccessfully. Doctors went back and forth as to whether I should have a c-section. I then had an epidural and he was able to get further in and get the baby into position. Then I had pitocin to speed up the labor so that baby remained in position. Active labor went quickly, but I had immense difficulty pushing because my epidural was so strong. I ended up having a vaccum delivery in the ER. 4th degree episiotomy.
3. Did you get to have skin to skin with your baby right after birth?
I did not. They rushed baby to be examined afterward due to a difficult delivery, although I had requested skin to skin immediately it was not possible. They did bring her back for skin to skin shortly after she was checked out. I can't remember how long it was... maybe 30 minutes to one hour? It's a blur.
4. How long after the birth (if at all) did baby breastfeed?
Aproximately 2 weeks, mostly with a nipple shield.
5. What issues did you encounter?
Had latching issues from the very beginning. I met with lactation consultants as often as I could when in the hospital, but to be honest they were not helpful. The first three nights at home my baby never slept. She was constantly screaming. I phoned our pediatrician's emergency hotline and was advised to suppliment with one ounce of formula. I initially refused, but they continued calling me over the next few days, insisting I top up with formula, so I did. That weekend, I hadn't slept in days and my family came to help. I slept for 5 hours and the baby was formula fed at that time. I think the initial introduction of the bottle was detrimental. At her first check-up, we found that the baby had lost 13% of her body weight and was jaundiced. I was also suffering from postpartum anxiety at the time and was terrified of her losing weight, so we began combo feeding.
6. What support was there for you?
I returned to the hospital to see the lactation consultants, but didn't receive helpful advice. At my 2 week postpartum midwife checkup, they advised that I see a lactation consultant an hour away. At that point, I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression and could barely function, so it wasn't an option for me.
7. Do you feel your Health Care Provider did enough to help you?
Yes, I feel they tried very much to help me. I think depression, anxiety, unrealistic expectations about breastfeeding and my baby's weight loss all contributed to my being usuccessful directly feeding at the breast.
8. Why did you decide to stop breastfeeding?
After 2 weeks, I began exclusively pumping. I'd been advised to pump after every feed to increase supply, so I just stopped breastfeeding. We were using a nipple shield and struggling so much. Charlotte would yell and scream every time I put her to the breast. Pumping seemed like the better option, although it turned out not to be (pumping every 2 hours daily and at least 3 times at night).
9. How long did you breastfeed for?
At the breast? 2 weeks. Pumping? In the process of weaning at 6 months.
10. Did any Health Care Provider explain the risks of formula feeding to you?
No.
11. What brand of formula did you chose and why?
Similac for Fussiness & Gas - they gave us Similac samples in the hospital and it was the only formula I had at home when advised to supplement. I stuck with it. Tried Emfamil Gentleease, as heard it was good for reflux, but I found it smelly and my LO hated it.
12. How do you feel about your breastfeeding experience?
Sad. If I hadn't been suffering from what I now know was PND, I feel I could have perservered. I was very educated about breastfeeding, yet still had unrealistic expectations. If I had just perservered past that first month, I can't help but think we might have "got it".
13. Did anyone offer you support for the loss of breastfeeding?
No.
14. Would you breastfeed any future children?
YES
1. What preparation had you made for breastfeeding before babies arrival?
I was dead set on breastfeeding. I bought an expensive breast pump (medela pump in style), nursing bras, nipple cream, a boppy & my breast friend pillows, the works. I even took a breastfeeding class at the hospital where I delivered.
2. What kind of birth did you have. (please mention any interventions if there were any.)
Relatively complicated. Went to the hospital for induction 10 days past my due date. My water broke prior to induction. Baby began coming out arm and hand first. Prior to any intervention, an OBGYN at the hospital attempted to reposition the baby (ouch!) unsuccessfully. Doctors went back and forth as to whether I should have a c-section. I then had an epidural and he was able to get further in and get the baby into position. Then I had pitocin to speed up the labor so that baby remained in position. Active labor went quickly, but I had immense difficulty pushing because my epidural was so strong. I ended up having a vaccum delivery in the ER. 4th degree episiotomy.
3. Did you get to have skin to skin with your baby right after birth?
I did not. They rushed baby to be examined afterward due to a difficult delivery, although I had requested skin to skin immediately it was not possible. They did bring her back for skin to skin shortly after she was checked out. I can't remember how long it was... maybe 30 minutes to one hour? It's a blur.
4. How long after the birth (if at all) did baby breastfeed?
Aproximately 2 weeks, mostly with a nipple shield.
5. What issues did you encounter?
Had latching issues from the very beginning. I met with lactation consultants as often as I could when in the hospital, but to be honest they were not helpful. The first three nights at home my baby never slept. She was constantly screaming. I phoned our pediatrician's emergency hotline and was advised to suppliment with one ounce of formula. I initially refused, but they continued calling me over the next few days, insisting I top up with formula, so I did. That weekend, I hadn't slept in days and my family came to help. I slept for 5 hours and the baby was formula fed at that time. I think the initial introduction of the bottle was detrimental. At her first check-up, we found that the baby had lost 13% of her body weight and was jaundiced. I was also suffering from postpartum anxiety at the time and was terrified of her losing weight, so we began combo feeding.
6. What support was there for you?
I returned to the hospital to see the lactation consultants, but didn't receive helpful advice. At my 2 week postpartum midwife checkup, they advised that I see a lactation consultant an hour away. At that point, I was suffering from severe anxiety and depression and could barely function, so it wasn't an option for me.
7. Do you feel your Health Care Provider did enough to help you?
Yes, I feel they tried very much to help me. I think depression, anxiety, unrealistic expectations about breastfeeding and my baby's weight loss all contributed to my being usuccessful directly feeding at the breast.
8. Why did you decide to stop breastfeeding?
After 2 weeks, I began exclusively pumping. I'd been advised to pump after every feed to increase supply, so I just stopped breastfeeding. We were using a nipple shield and struggling so much. Charlotte would yell and scream every time I put her to the breast. Pumping seemed like the better option, although it turned out not to be (pumping every 2 hours daily and at least 3 times at night).
9. How long did you breastfeed for?
At the breast? 2 weeks. Pumping? In the process of weaning at 6 months.
10. Did any Health Care Provider explain the risks of formula feeding to you?
No.
11. What brand of formula did you chose and why?
Similac for Fussiness & Gas - they gave us Similac samples in the hospital and it was the only formula I had at home when advised to supplement. I stuck with it. Tried Emfamil Gentleease, as heard it was good for reflux, but I found it smelly and my LO hated it.
12. How do you feel about your breastfeeding experience?
Sad. If I hadn't been suffering from what I now know was PND, I feel I could have perservered. I was very educated about breastfeeding, yet still had unrealistic expectations. If I had just perservered past that first month, I can't help but think we might have "got it".
13. Did anyone offer you support for the loss of breastfeeding?
No.
14. Would you breastfeed any future children?
YES
