World Breastfeeding Week

Hey there!

Today is World Breastfeeding Week! This was organized by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) to advocate for exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of baby's life (http://www.ilca.org/global-health/world-breastfeeding-week). The first World Breastfeeding Week was celebrated in 1992, but this is the first time I've heard about! So exciting!

Today I just want to talk about my breastfeeding struggles and successes to date.

When Dillinger was born he was plopped onto my chest and he immediately began rooting, searching for the breast to nurse like a champ. It was hard to get him to latch at first and the nurse said I had "flat nipples." So far, that hasn't been an issue for feeds.That night Dillinger did not nurse because he was spitting up amniotic fluid, which worried me.

By day two my milk came in and I was severely engorged, but I had no idea what that entailed. I thought I was failing at breastfeeding because it hurt and my breast tissue was hard as a rock. The nurse and 2 lactation consultants told me that the positioning and latch looked great and that I had nothing to worry about, but I still had concerns because of how much it hurt. I asked for a lactation consultant and the nurse each shift and no one gave me any real advice. They would just watch him feed or a second and say it looked great. The last lactation consultant came in and finally explained to me that I was engorged  because my milk had came in and I was no longer producing solely colostrum, which was why latching was difficult. She educated me on reverse pressure softening, cabbage leaves for temporary cooling relief, warm moist compresses before feeds, ibuprofen for pain relief, and cool compresses after feeds. This lactation consultant was so encouraging and told me, "You're killing it and you don't even know it." She also encouraged me to go to the breastfeeding support group at Dupont that is held on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30PM. The hospital hooked me up with Lansinoh nipple cream and Ameda gel nipple pads, which I hated because I had to wash my breasts before each feed, which no one has time for.


Once I was home breastfeeding became easier, but I still had major engorgement issues and would leak through all of my clothes and nipple pads. Dave made many Google searches trying to help me with my pain and discomfort related to engorgement. He bought me Medela Therashells, which work great, but leak terribly. If they didn't leak, they'd be an A+ in my book at relieving engorgement and  helping me start my breastmilk freezer stash. Between the Therashells and my Haakaa hand pump to take off some of the pressure and milk, I ended up freezing 12 oz of milk from. Thankfully, Dillinger has helped my breastmilk regulate and I rarely leak any more and rarely have major engorgement where my breasts are in serious pain. I can only sleep on my back, however, or else I'll leak all over the bed. Latching was painful for quite a while, but that has  become easier with time. There was one day where I thought Dillinger was regressing because he'd start nursing, cry, and then unlatch, but I realized that I was trying to feed him when he didn't want to be fed, he just wanted to be rocked to sleep and was fighting sleep. It took me a while to realize that he may not want the breast at all times when he is crying. Dillinger has also become more efficient, nursing for shorter periods of time, but we're still getting up every 2-3 hours to nurse, which is typical.

Nursing has been one of the best things ever for bonding between me and my babe. I love watching him feed and fall asleep slowly. I love the little sounds he makes as he feeds. It's just the best experience ever. I honestly dread introducing the bottle and going back to work, but I know our nursing sessions will be that much more special before and after work and on the weekends. It was difficult at first and I cried many, many nights before I learned that just because he's making sounds, it doesn't mean he's hungry. I've had to learn his cues and it's getting better each day.

So far I have nursed at Culver's twice, Red Robin once, and in front of many friends and family members. I'm feeding my babe and have no shame about it. I feed with a cover and I've even brought in my nursing pillow into Culver's! If you nurse, where have you nursed that has been accommodating, outwardly kind and accepting? It's a shame we have to worry about people becoming upset with nursing mothers. Just remember that as cited on the CDC website, "State laws protect public breastfeeding by expressly stating a woman has a right to breastfeed in public or by specifying that the act of breastfeeding is not indecent exposure" (www.cdc.gov/phlp/winnable/breastfeeding.html)

Today I went to my first breastfeeding support group at Dupont, which I was nervous about. I was thankfully surprised by how chill it was. At the beginning of the group, one lactation consultant wished us a happy Wold Breastfeeding Week and encouraged us to breast feed, especially in public, to encourage other people to do the same. We were also given free Bamboobies breast pads. There were probably over 20 of us in one of the Resource Center rooms seated in a circle. Some moms were seated on the floor, whereas many of us sat on the provided folding chairs with Boppy pillows or other forms of support. One mom brought unopened formula and bottles to give to whoever may need it. Some women were covered and some were uncovered. I felt comfortable being uncovered, which I was unsure if I would be. The babies present ranged from a few days old to 6 months old. There were 4 lactation consultants present, and they were very encouraging and supportive of what each of our goals were. Some moms talked about supplementing with formula or exclusively pumping and the LC's just wanted to know if the moms were happy and comfortable with where they were and if they wanted other options. If they were happy, they congratulated them on the time they were breastfeeding. The advice not only came from the LC's, but also from the moms in the room, which was valuable.

For the free weight check, you have to get your baby naked down to the diaper and make sure it is a fresh diaper. Next, you weigh your baby. Then you feed your baby. Finally, you weigh your baby to see how much they ate. Dillinger started at 10lbs 4.4 oz and after feeding, he was 10lbs 7.2oz. I was shocked and felt so proud! I have been second guessing myself this entire experience, so it felt amazing knowing my body was doing what it was supposed to.

I think I might go to next week's group because it's free, I can monitor Dillinger's progress, and it's good socialization with fellow moms on this parenting journey. On August 17, I am going to the La Leche League's breastfeeding support group located at Grassroots Baby Store with my friend Norah!

Some local breastfeeding resources and supports:
La Leche League International- Fort Wayne http://lllofindiana.org/find-a-group/fort-wayne/
Kelly Mom http://kellymom.com/
Parkview Hospitals (A list of all breastfeeding support services) https://www.parkview.com/en/well-being/Center-for-Healthy-Living/Pages/Support-Services.aspx
Lutheran Hospital http://www.lutheranchildrenshosp.com/breastfeeding-support-group
Dupont Hospital http://www.theduponthospital.com/interior.php?t=388
Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) https://secure.in.gov/isdh/19691.htm

If you have any additional tips or resources, let me know!

-Lauren