Spilling the (Real) Tea on Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often portrayed as a beautiful and natural experience, yet it can come with its fair share of challenges.
Your breasts, which have served an entirely different purpose for most of your life, suddenly transform into a vital source of sustenance for your newborn. This transition can be overwhelming and filled with unexpected moments.
It’s Going to Take Some Adjusting
They say it’s easy, it’s natural. Every woman should know how to breastfeed. You took the class. BUT taking a breastfeeding class is like learning to ride a bike before you buy the bike. You just don’t know what you don’t know or how your baby is going to respond or adjust.
This learning curve can be frustrating and exhausting, especially when coupled with the physical demands of recovering from childbirth. Additionally, your milk supply needs time to synchronize with your baby's needs.
Initially, your body may produce more milk than your baby consumes, leading to engorgement, or it might take a few days for your milk to fully come in.
Understanding that this adjustment period is normal and temporary can help alleviate stress and allow both you and your baby to gradually settle into a successful breastfeeding routine.
Engorgement is a Real Issue in the Beginning
In your first week postpartum, the experience of milk coming in can be unexpectedly intense.
Engorgement is when your breasts become painfully swollen with milk. Like, so swollen they can be humongous! The pressure and discomfort may make latching difficult or even impossible due to the nipples flattening out. Initial engorgement can be overcome and there’s no need for it to thwart your breastfeeding goals. So, don’t quit!
CaboCréme can ease engorgement when it’s so intense that your baby can’t latch or you can’t pump. Apply the cream and wait 15 minutes to allow the breasts to soften and then pump or feed normally. This simple solution can be a game-changer during those early days when every feeding moment counts towards establishing a successful breastfeeding routine.
When Your Boobs Become an Unexpected Wake-Up Call
Amidst the sleepless nights courtesy of your demanding newborn, another player keeps you wide awake: your very own breasts. It’s as if they possess an unwavering alarm system that signals feeding time.
While it may feel like breastfeeding consumes your entire existence, this phase is transient, lasting only a fleeting few months. Expect to wake up frequently, not just because of your baby’s cries but because your breasts will feel full and sometimes uncomfortable, urging you to feed or pump.
Remember, when your baby starts sleeping through the night, you can use CaboCréme to slow production so that you can sleep also, and then you can breastfeed normally in the morning.
Unanticipated Sleepiness
Breastfeeding works its magic beyond lulling your little one to sleep. The hormone prolactin, responsible for milk production, can induce drowsiness in you as well. Maintaining an upright position will help combat the urge to doze off.
This unexpected sleepiness can be a challenge, especially during night feedings. Finding a comfortable and safe nursing position can help you manage this drowsiness effectively.
Leaking: An Inconvenient Reality
Leaking breasts are another common yet often unexpected part of breastfeeding. It can happen at any time, especially when you hear your baby cry or during feeding sessions. Wearing breast pads and having an extra shirt on hand can save you from embarrassing moments.
Leaking is a sign that your body is producing a good supply of milk, so while it may be inconvenient, it’s also a positive indicator.
Breastfeeding is a learned experience and takes patience, practice, and community. However, the rewards greatly outweigh the challenges. If it works then great, but if it doesn’t, don’t worry! Fed is always best, and you don’t have to beat yourself up. Remember, every mother’s journey is unique, and you are doing an amazing job.
