- Breastfeeding isn’t easy (in most cases). It can be painful, especially in the beginning when you and the baby are first learning how to do it correctly. Your nipples may become dry, sore, red, or irritated. There are creams that can help soothe the pain. There are also nipple shields you can place on your breasts when it’s time to nurse. Breastfeeding is a commitment. If you choose to nurse exclusively, then YOU are the only person who can feed the baby. So YOU must be available to satisfy his/her hunger … Day, night, 24/7. Sometimes your boobs will be full, but the baby won’t be ready to eat yet. YOU have to go pump (in another room, in the car, in the public bathroom), lest your rock-hard breasts decide to leak through your bra and shirt. Most hospitals today have a lactation consultant on staff. This person’s job is to coach women who wish to breastfeed their babies. They are available to assist in the process of learning how to properly nurse the baby and to answer any questions moms have. I found these consultants to be very helpful when I was breastfeeding my first baby. With my second and third children, I didn’t feel the love as much. We have to keep in mind that, as lactation consultants, it is in their job description to urge women to breastfeed (because this form of nourishment is believed to be healthiest for your child). I get this. I do, BUT breastfeeding doesn’t work for everyone … nor does it even appeal to everyone. Some women just aren’t comfortable with this form of feeding. Other women find that circumstances prevent them from successfully breastfeeding their babies. For example, some women just don’t produce as much milk as their babies need; some babies never latch on properly and therefore don’t get enough milk; sometimes women who have older children find it difficult to continually find the time needed to effectively breastfeed their new baby (while their toddler is appropriately unraveling an entire roll of toilet paper onto the bathroom floor. By the way, a very helpful idea is to have a basket of toys for your older children to play with only when you are nursing your youngest. Those toys become a novelty, and your older children may cooperate so you can nurse in peace). If you find that nursing isn’t working out the way you had hoped, try not to worry. Formula, though not as natural as breast milk, is extremely healthy for your infant. It will not stunt his or her mental, physical, or emotional growth. Your lactation consultant may speak negatively about the use of formula. One tried to make me feel guilty when I stopped breastfeeding my daughter at 6 weeks. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t rattle my cage; I felt no shame whatsoever. My daughter’s stomach couldn’t tolerate my breast milk, and it was making her sick. When she wasn’t sleeping or eating, she was screaming bloody murder because her belly was so upset. And her gas! OMG, she had man gas. The poor little thing … And poor us, who had to smell it.
What I’m trying to emphasize is that breastfeeding is a choice. No one should make you feel badly about giving your baby formula if that’s what works best for you and your child. Don’t allow the Nipple Nazi to intimidate you. With my first child, I absolutely loved my breastfeeding experience, once he and I figured the whole thing out. I found that if I needed to bring my supply up, I could nurse my son and then pump. Even if I didn’t get much milk, I was training my body to make more. I also found I really enjoyed that time with my son, that feeling of bonding with him, the whole thing. The experience was different with my daughter and second son, because circumstances were different. Every child is different. Make the best choice for you and for your baby.
Dr. John Murphy’s Pointers for Parents Who are Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding is supply and demand. The more the child is on the breast, the quicker the milk supply comes in. It usually takes 3-5 days for the initial supply to fully come in. Breastfeeding can be affected by stress, so moms need to drink plenty of water, eat well (consume extra calories), and get as much sleep as possible. New moms are often concerned about losing their “baby weight,” and they don’t eat or drink enough. Be sure to take care of yourself, so you can take care of your baby, too.
The World of Author/Mom Alicia Murphy! 
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