My Positive Breastfeeding Experience

I see a lot of posts and updates across the internet and social media, and of course in the Breastfeeding Diaries of Mum’s having difficulties or issues with nursing.  I also have had my own challenges whilst breastfeeding, when it came to feeding Princess, daughter number 2.  If I’d have been blogging back then I would have put every Mum of nursing I’m sure.

 

Because of my last experience, I did go into my third breastfeeding relationship a little nervous that we might experience similar issues. This didn’t put me off, it just made me go into it with my eyes wide open.  Reading ‘Breastfeeding Made Easy’ by Carlos Gonzalez really helped me understand where things had gone wrong so I could change my approach to my relationship with Pudding.  Lowering my expectations really helped! I was also prepared to ask for help, even scream for it if I needed it.  Fortunately it didn’t come to that.

 

Pudding is nearly 3 months old, and this time round I can honestly say it’s been nothing but a positive experience for both of us.  It was intense in those early weeks, don’t get me wrong.  It was hard work.  There was some pain and discomfort but it passed relatively quickly.  The cluster feeding all evening was draining at points.  The night feeds were tiring, but it wasn’t necessarily the feeding that was the issue.  It was trying to get her to settle in her basket by herself when all her instincts are screaming to be close to me.  After the third time of trying to lay her down, we co-slept in the name of trying to get some sleep, but don’t tell the health visitor!

 

Now, it’s such a different story as she plays more and goes longer between feeds.  She feeds 7/8 times a day for about 20 minutes.  She feeds roughly at 4am, 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 11pm.  She’s falling into a pattern of sleeping, which I’m reluctant to call a routine just yet but it’s getting there.  She even manages to settle herself at bed time, no more waiting for her to fall asleep and try and navigate her to her basket without waking her.  She will go in awake, and settle herself of to sleep within 10 minutes without crying or being upset.  I am under no illusion that this will last, but for now I’m savouring the moment.

 

To say she is only 12 weeks old we have gone from a very intense feeding experience, to a very relaxed one in no time at all.  If your are in those early weeks, do stick with it, as you will turn a corner and it will all fall into place.  I have spoken about the benefits of breastfeeding a lot on here, and of course that has such a bearing on my choice to do it.  Really though, I do it because it’s easy when it works.  It’s easier at night, it’s less hassle than having to fix bottles and I’m all for the path of least resistance.

 

I was worried about how things would work out with the toddler, but it’s been OK.  I have been very lucky in some respects that she was at nursery full time for the first 8 weeks which gave Pudding and I time to find our feet.  Dad was at home too for the first 4 weeks too.  Now though, Princess just seems to just fit in with it.  I’m so pleased too, as I really want breastfeeding to be normal for her, and it does make me smile when she tries to feed her own baby.

If you have an experience you’d like to share, please do link up with the Breastfeeding Diaries community in my weekly series, it would be awesome to have you on board and help raise awareness and support other breastfeeding Mums!   I also love reading your comments too, and I’m always interested in Mum’s and Dad’s experiences of nursing and all that goes with it.