Paula's Story

PBobbett@swri.edu

I knew when I was pregnant that I would breastfeed, hopefully for the full year the AAP recommends.

I didn't know of the difficulties. My boy was born in a hospital (perfectly healthy) that took him away after only a few minutes with me. We tried to nurse right away, but he couldn't seem to latch on (he kept rooting at the nipple).

It was 22 hours after his birth before I could see the hopital LC. She noted that he was sucking his tongue, not an instinct which is conducive to breastfeeding. It is also fairly uncommon. She had me position him on top of me while lying down, to correct his tongue position. She said a few more good latchons, and he should be fine.

Well, it really took about two weeks before latching on became less of a nightmare (and for my blistered nipples to heal). And sometimes, he would get so frustrated at the breast he would scream, and my husband & I would give him a few drops of formula (I could not express at that time), just to calm him down enough to try again.

I never felt ready to quit - I knew the health problems he might suffer if I did - and the IQ points that he wouldn't have. After about two weeks I never saw him sucking on his toungue again, and nursing became a time of calm between baby & me. My husband's help was invaluable - he calmed me when I felt like a failure, he calmed the baby when the baby couldn't latch.

It's been 9 months since my son was born. He was exclusively breastfed up until 3 weeks ago, when he began solids. I plan on nursing him till he self weans - hopefully a long time from now. I never imagined that being a mother would be as wonderful as it is, and nursing is one of the many benefits for both of us.

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