As I rock my baby to sleep tonight I am tempted...
Tempted to let him nurse even though I know he's not hungry.
Tempted to let him over eat because I know the nursing will knock him out. I know that he's fussy because he's so tired but just doesn't want to sleep.
My husband seems to have a magic technique because my son will lay on his chest and be asleep within minutes. Me on the other hand he will want to nurse if I put him anywhere near my breast...so I am tempted to take the easy way out so I can get a little me time.
I had all these ideas lined up before I had the baby, no he would not nurse himself to sleep every night because I don't want him to associate eating with sleeping. Or the "itis" as we call it...having a heavy meal and then thinking you must take a nap. Yes, I know I sound a little crazy, I mean we are talking about a baby and he likes the comfort of the sucking action hough getting the milk is a nice payoff. Still I just don't want to instill that in him..but I am so tempted.
I always said I wouldn't let him sleep in my bed or just pull out the breast to feed him and then fall back asleep all exposed...it always drove me crazy when my sister who was probably exhausted ( I realize that now) did that. And so far I haven't done the leave out the breast thing but I do let him fall asleep in my bed after his early morning feeding many times. I have been warned though not to make it a habit or he may never leave my bed. Secretly that is fine with me...I love my little man so much but I am sure as time goes on I would prefer he slept in his crib/bed.
So I don't give in, I try to rock him to sleep and when he starts to get droosy I lay him in his bassinet and walk out the room and check back in 15 mins...and wouldn't you know that after a little bit of fussiness he is fast asleep and I feel like I have stuck to my principles...tonight at least.
Showing posts with label breastfeeding.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastfeeding.. Show all posts
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
La Leche for more than just breastfeeding
As I stated in my previous breastfeeding post I originally thought my supply was low. I was worried my little guy wasn't enough. It was frustrating because no one told me about cluster feeding until I experienced it during Ben's growth spurt. Thus in my frustration, I packed up my little guy and went to a la leche league meeting.
The meeting was completely different than I thought it would be. It was small and intimate - there was a total of 4 mothers there and 2 facilitators. And we discussed more than just breastfeeding, we discussed cloth diapers, baby carriers, mommy and me playgroups in the area. We shared cool websites and discussed returning to work, it was a good experience. Too bad the ladies only meet once a month and once I go back to work it will be during my work hours. I would be lying if I say that the reason I want to go back is not because I am having issues with breastfeeding but rather because I enjoyed the commodore and the small group environment.
It was a good experience and I would recommend them to anyone who needs encouragement when they are having a hard time breastfeeding.
The meeting was completely different than I thought it would be. It was small and intimate - there was a total of 4 mothers there and 2 facilitators. And we discussed more than just breastfeeding, we discussed cloth diapers, baby carriers, mommy and me playgroups in the area. We shared cool websites and discussed returning to work, it was a good experience. Too bad the ladies only meet once a month and once I go back to work it will be during my work hours. I would be lying if I say that the reason I want to go back is not because I am having issues with breastfeeding but rather because I enjoyed the commodore and the small group environment.
It was a good experience and I would recommend them to anyone who needs encouragement when they are having a hard time breastfeeding.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Breastfeeding - my journey
Since studies have shown breastfeeding is best for babies, I decided I wanted to breastfed my little guy.
What no one told me:
To begin with at the birthing classes the instructor informed us during the breastfeeding session that breastfeeding should not hurt as long as the baby was latched on correctly.
Well, I found out that was not true..AT ALL!
They neglect to tell you that latched on correctly or not, it takes 2 weeks for your nipples to toughen up. So the first suck when the initial latch on actually happens is frightfully painful. During week one I seriously considered giving up. However, 6 weeks later I am glad I didn't. there was definitely no way I could prep my nipples for the trauma they had to undergo.
Secondly, my full supply doesn't come in until about 6-8 weeks. I thought that what I was producing from the beginning would be all I would produce. Not so, I was concerned my supply was low and my son wasn't getting enough. Turns out my milk supply has increased week after week and that my son who gained 3lbs in his first month of life was getting more than enough.
Best part of breastfeeding:
The calories burned!!!! LOL...also the ability to bond with my son in a way nothing else allows. The first few weeks it felt like it was just me and this appendage but now he stays awake for part of the feeding and we bond or at least I feel like we are bonding ( it could be all in my head).
The whole process definitely started out as a big ordeal because my son has favored one breast and would have trouble latching on to his favorite side but would latch on no problems to his least favorite side...my nipple would cauliflower which was painful and horrible so I spoke to a lactation consultant and we worked it out. In the end so worth it and I plan on breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months and then breastfeeding up until a year if I can pump for that time but at least until he's nine month.
What no one told me:
To begin with at the birthing classes the instructor informed us during the breastfeeding session that breastfeeding should not hurt as long as the baby was latched on correctly.
Well, I found out that was not true..AT ALL!
They neglect to tell you that latched on correctly or not, it takes 2 weeks for your nipples to toughen up. So the first suck when the initial latch on actually happens is frightfully painful. During week one I seriously considered giving up. However, 6 weeks later I am glad I didn't. there was definitely no way I could prep my nipples for the trauma they had to undergo.
Secondly, my full supply doesn't come in until about 6-8 weeks. I thought that what I was producing from the beginning would be all I would produce. Not so, I was concerned my supply was low and my son wasn't getting enough. Turns out my milk supply has increased week after week and that my son who gained 3lbs in his first month of life was getting more than enough.
Best part of breastfeeding:
The calories burned!!!! LOL...also the ability to bond with my son in a way nothing else allows. The first few weeks it felt like it was just me and this appendage but now he stays awake for part of the feeding and we bond or at least I feel like we are bonding ( it could be all in my head).
The whole process definitely started out as a big ordeal because my son has favored one breast and would have trouble latching on to his favorite side but would latch on no problems to his least favorite side...my nipple would cauliflower which was painful and horrible so I spoke to a lactation consultant and we worked it out. In the end so worth it and I plan on breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months and then breastfeeding up until a year if I can pump for that time but at least until he's nine month.
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