Seriously, I don't understand why there's such a disconnect in the medical field, when it comes to breastfeeding. I have heard SO MANY conflicting theories/reports/suggestions on how to do it, what to do, when to do it, so on and so forth. One minute I think everything is okay, the next I find out it's not, and then I find out that while not ideal, it's normal, and AHHHHH!
I've received much Godly and encouraging words, though, from women I trust (nothing against our Pediatrician, but I'll take the word of a woman who's done it before over his professional medical opinion) which have helped me tremendously. We're still struggling, but I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is HOPE! I'll be so glad when we get the hang of this--I just hope that's before Jeremy goes out of town in a week... I would love to have him off the bottle by then. Oh Lord, please let him--us!--get the hang of this in the next week!
We're gonna go at this gung ho this weekend and see what happens. If we're struggling on Monday, I'm gonna go see a lactation consultant in person, even if I hafta pay outta pocket--it'll be cheaper than buying formula in the long run!
So thank you to everyone who's been encouraging/praying for me/us. It means so much! We'll keep you up to date on our progress.
Hi Jess,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you're hanging in there (but please don't think that means I'm putting any pressure on you to continue if you decide it's best for you & Jeremiah to do otherwise). As I told you, I struggled for weeks as J & B and I tried to piece the puzzle together on How To Breastfeed. Whenever I felt like giving up, I'd remember that magic number: 6 weeks. My breastfeeding bible had said if I could stick with it for 6 weeks the kids and I would eventually figure it out. And that's what happened. At around 6 weeks everything finally "clicked" and I
can tell you I was reeeeeally glad I had persisted. So feel free to phone if you want to talk. BTW, are you using a special NUK nipple when you give Jeremiah a bottle?
Love,
Charity
Don't worry Jess. I know it is hard not too, but worrying is the worst thing to do because, you will only stress the both of you out. Which makes the process much harder. I went through a hard time too when Jakob was a baby. Instead for me it was moving from breatfeeding to the bottle (you said yours was bottle to breastfeeding..correct?). It takes time...it takes work and a whole lot of patience. My advice is: when you are giving the bottle to Jeremy, make sure his head is resting near your breast and try sneaking your nipple to his lips while he is nursing from the bottle nipple and see if he goes for your nipple instead of the bottle's. He will probably not accept it the introduction first..but if keep it up, trying it twice a day..then slowly up the anty more and more. Eventually, he will probably take your nipple over the bottle nipple. Hope that is helpful. Good luck and Best wishes. My fingers are crossed!
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