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Latch, Milk Supply, and Other Challenges
By
Ann
from District of Columbia
When Julian was born, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. And like many other new moms, I assumed it would go smoothly and that I would have fountains of milk for my sweet boy. But we didn’t have the blissful start I had imagined.
He latched for the first time, and after a few breastfeeding sessions, I was the proud owner of bruised, sore nipples and was terrified the pain would just continue. While in the hospital, I saw two lactation consultants to help me with Julian's positioning, but he continued to have an "inefficient latch," which kept him from getting enough milk, slowed down my milk production, and left me with sore nipples. Another challenge I faced was having Julian away from me to be under "bili lights" to be treated for jaundice, so he received formula as a supplement.
This undermined my confidence and hampered my milk production even more. So it was not surprising when we brought our bundle of joy home that, despite what seemed to be nearly endless nursing sessions, Julian still wasn’t getting enough milk and wouldn’t stop crying. I was crushed when we had to give him the bottle of formula sent home from the hospital. I felt betrayed by my body and like a total failure as a mother.
The good news is that we got effective help. Our pediatrician referred us to a great lactation
consultant whose "hands-on" approach helped to improve Julian's latch and rebuild my milk supply. Before I returned to work, we were able to phase out the formula supplementation.
It took long, hard work, but we got there. Then, while working full time, I was able to pump enough milk to give Julian breast milk nearly all the time, using only one bottle of formula each day.
I proudly breastfed my son for 42 months and strongly feel that a child can benefit from breast milk no matter how much you can give him or her. I learned that what makes you a successful mom doesn't have anything to do with your breast milk supply and everything to do with always trying your best.
Content last updated July 29, 2008.
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