I find it really funny that the two comics that best describe my life are PhD comics and Baby Blues...great combination.
Today's comics from both strips were particularly appropriate.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Breastfeeding (again)
So I know that I post on this a lot. But I feel strongly about it. And since I'm in the throes of getting it going again, I want to write about it.
When you talk to lactation consultants or read literature published by organizations like La Leche League, they always say things like "Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt." What they need to specify is that that statement is only true if you have the perfectly shaped nipple, your baby will open wide enough initially to get the perfect "latch," your skin starts out nice and soft and supple, and your baby will nurse on both sides evenly every time.
THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN! Unless you happen to be some exquisitely blessed woman, it's going to be uncomfortable for at least a little while. In my case, it's been a pretty decent struggle both times, though it was worse with Bee than it has been this time around. Baby likes to nurse, and he nurses forever on both sides, which helps things. Bee didn't like to do either of those things.
Anyway. My point here is that it will probably hurt, and that's okay. Don't let people frustrate you with their "it won't hurt if you're doing it right" statements. My thought on that is that lactation consultants, like anyone else, need business. They say that it won't hurt if you're doing it right because they want you to come see them so that they can "help you do it right." I think a large part of what happens is really just that by the time you've had a couple of visits with them, it's been a couple of weeks and everyone involved (baby, mom, and breasts) have adjusted. Period.
So. Those are my thoughts. Probably tmi and totally unsolicited. But I was in the mood for a rant.
When you talk to lactation consultants or read literature published by organizations like La Leche League, they always say things like "Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt." What they need to specify is that that statement is only true if you have the perfectly shaped nipple, your baby will open wide enough initially to get the perfect "latch," your skin starts out nice and soft and supple, and your baby will nurse on both sides evenly every time.
THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN! Unless you happen to be some exquisitely blessed woman, it's going to be uncomfortable for at least a little while. In my case, it's been a pretty decent struggle both times, though it was worse with Bee than it has been this time around. Baby likes to nurse, and he nurses forever on both sides, which helps things. Bee didn't like to do either of those things.
Anyway. My point here is that it will probably hurt, and that's okay. Don't let people frustrate you with their "it won't hurt if you're doing it right" statements. My thought on that is that lactation consultants, like anyone else, need business. They say that it won't hurt if you're doing it right because they want you to come see them so that they can "help you do it right." I think a large part of what happens is really just that by the time you've had a couple of visits with them, it's been a couple of weeks and everyone involved (baby, mom, and breasts) have adjusted. Period.
So. Those are my thoughts. Probably tmi and totally unsolicited. But I was in the mood for a rant.
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