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My Slightly Chaotic Life

Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Parenting

The Breastfeeding Struggle

April 25, 2018 Comments : 11

When you have a baby you think the most natural thing you can do is feed them. Women for centuries have been able to nourish their babies by breastfeeding without issues. Surely before the invention of formula babies had to survive somehow. This is what many women hear. It makes them think that breastfeeding will be easy. This is not the case. Breastfeeding is incredibly hard leading many women to have the dreaded breastfeeding struggle.

My Breastfeeding Struggle began with my Son

He didn’t latch well in the beginning, coupled with a postpartum hemorrhage and a delay in milk production we were behind from the get go. I ended up exclusively pumping to provide him with breast milk. This time I thought things would be different. I was older, more patient and already knew that it might be a struggle so I had no expectations. Once again it was a struggle from the start causing frustration, sadness and feelings of self doubt as a mother. It’s been a little over 4 weeks and while things have slightly improved there are still days I just want to give up completely.

Things I learned during my breastfeeding struggle

• Every baby is different.

While your first baby may not latch at all, your second may latch but not properly. Then there are babies that come into this world and breastfeed like little champs. Every baby is completely different and it is hard to judge what each baby will do once they are welcomed into this big, new world.

• Just because your baby perfects the latch it doesn’t necessarily mean they are transferring the milk.

The first time Avery latched properly with no pain, I couldn’t help but do a little happy dance. I would soon learn that although she was latching correctly she wasn’t transferring nearly as much milk as she should be. This was causing her to be hungry more then she should be and lose weight.

• An oversupply can be just as detrimental as an under supply.

I have an oversupply of milk. This leads to problems with directly breast feeding because my let down is so forceful is causes Avery to gag and choke and pull off the breast. Another thing I learned is that having too much milk can lead to an imbalance of fore-milk and hind-milk which can also cause problems in the baby as well. Having an oversupply also causes pain and engorgement more frequently throughout the day.

Facing the breastfeeding struggle with your new baby? Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind to get your though breastfeeding.  | Breastfeeding | Motherhood | Newborn |

• Pumping sucks.

Like really sucks. Instead of just popping the baby on the boob when she is hungry, I have to feed her pumped milk in a bottle and then spend time pumping as well. Not to mention cleaning all the bottle and pump parts. I’m at least only pumping about 4-5 times a day now but it still is time consuming and makes me feel like I’m a cow being milked on the assembly line.

• Not being able to breast feed does not make you a terrible mother.

Everyone says “breast is best” and while the health benefits of breastfeeding are numerous for both mom and baby, it sets mothers up for feelings of being inadequate if they are unable to. Every time Avery latches properly and transfers well is a small victory but if I have to give her pumped milk her grow then so be it. Either way she is fed and growing.

Facing the breastfeeding struggle with your new baby? Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind to get your though breastfeeding.  | Breastfeeding | Motherhood | Newborn |

I was able to feed my son with pumped breast milk for a year and hope to do that as well with Avery. There are some days where I put her to the breast to eat and there are some days I don’t even try due to soreness or not having the time. At first I had a hard time accepting that this was going to be a struggle again, that I wasn’t going to have this beautiful, bonding experience with my daughter. I’ve since accepted this will be my journey and I’m okay with that.

So if you are dealing with the breastfeeding struggle, just know that you are not alone and every mom goes through this at some point in their motherhood journey.

 

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Comments

  1. Sally says

    May 7, 2018 at 6:20 pm

    Great post. Good one. Thank.you

    Reply
  2. Lauren Sigmund says

    May 7, 2018 at 8:28 pm

    Ugh! I wanted to last at least six months, but I wasn’t producing enough. The doctor thinks it’s because I got back on birth control because in the beginning I was doing great! It’s so hard, that formula has been a nice break. But you can’t help but to feel defeat and that darn mom guilt. Thank you for sharing! xo

    Reply
    • myslightlychaoticlife says

      May 8, 2018 at 10:34 am

      I have heard that birth control can cause a decrease in your supply and I am concerned about that as well. It is so hard and yes the mommy guilt is real. Your doing a great job mama, remember that!

      Reply
  3. Ellen Vandever says

    May 7, 2018 at 11:15 pm

    I wasn’t able to breast feed and I felt like a total failure. But you’re right- all babies are different! Thanks for the reminder! 🙂

    Reply
    • myslightlychaoticlife says

      May 8, 2018 at 10:35 am

      Yes, they are so different. Your doing a great job!!

      Reply
  4. Jana Goodlife says

    May 8, 2018 at 12:27 am

    Beautifully said! Breastfeeding is so hard! I breastfed my son for a year and had many issues. Thanks for sharing and keep doing what feels right to you mama!

    Reply
    • myslightlychaoticlife says

      May 8, 2018 at 10:36 am

      Awesome that you made it a year!! Good job!

      Reply
  5. Katie pellegrino says

    May 8, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    I can’t imagine pumping for a year. go mama!

    Reply
  6. Jenna says

    May 8, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    You’re doing a great job, mama! It’s definitely not always easy. I give you so much credit for being an exclusive pumper. ❤️

    Reply
  7. Rachel says

    May 9, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Great article! I dealt with a lot of these same issues and ended up exclusively pumping for my twins for 5 months. Breastfeeding is great but fed is best! Whatever works for you and your family!

    Reply
    • myslightlychaoticlife says

      May 12, 2018 at 9:40 pm

      Yes exactly! Twins must have been so hard to breast feed. Good for you mama for lasting that long!

      Reply

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The Dunkin’ Joy In Childhood Foundation brings joy to kids at local hospitals. 
For those in Maine, that’s The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. So grab an iced coffee today from Dunkin’ and spread some joy to local children! 

Excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew. 
#dunkinmaine #dunkinpartner #bringjoy
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#busymom #busymomlife #mainemom #mainelife #mainething #momlifestyle #coffeelove
I swear he secretly loves the chaos that I create. I swear he secretly loves the chaos that I create. We are complete opposites but it works. He loves calm and I apparently love mayhem.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#marriedlife #marriagehumor #husbandandwife #marriagememes #hubbyandwifey #newreel
There are many things that I like to do to keep my There are many things that I like to do to keep my cool during the crazy days with 3 kids, and one is to always be sipping on a Dunkin’ Iced Coffee. (#ad) You too can keep your cool with Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day, which is right around the corner on 5/23 and #bringjoy to kids at local hospitals!
On @dunkin Iced Coffee Day, $1 from every iced coffee sold at participating locations nationwide will be donated to the Dunkin’ @joyinchildhood Foundation. This will help bring joy to kids in local hospitals.
In Maine, my home state, that’s The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. 
So, make sure to mark your calendars for 5/23 to get your iced coffee and help bring joy to kids in the hospital in your community!
#dunkinmaine #dunkinpartner
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Chloe is definitely giving us a little bit of a ru Chloe is definitely giving us a little bit of a run for our money lately. Teething, leaps and learning new skills is making sleep pretty much non existent. Definitely walking around like a zombie lately. 

At least this cute plant stand is making me happy and adding some fun to my living space. Linked this one and others that you can get from @walmart for under $30 in my bio! 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
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#livingroomdecor #plantlady #momsofig #walmartfinds #walmartdeals #cornerofmyhome #livingroomideas
It’s Mother’s Day and this day wouldn’t be c It’s Mother’s Day and this day wouldn’t be complete without trying to get a photo of myself and my kids. This was the best we got, uncoordinated outfits and all.
Thankful to be their mom today and everyday. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#mothersday2023 #momof3 #momstyle #motherhoodjourney #momswithcameras #motherhoodunfiltered
Saturdays are for soccer and running around like a Saturdays are for soccer and running around like a crazy person trying to entertain a bunch of kids. 
Honestly though leggings and a tank make up about 70% of my wardrobe. 

Everything is linked in my @shop.ltk, link in my bio. 
Happy Saturday friends! ☀️
.
.
.
.
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#momstyle #momstylelife #affordablestyle #dailylooks #everydaystyle #mombod Mom style, Mom bod, Everyday look, easy style, soccer mom
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