Breastfeeding and Bleeding
Baby Nora with her Daddy
When my daughter was three weeks old I was still painfully breastfeeding. I knew it “shouldn’t hurt” from my research, but thought that maybe I was experiencing residual pain from prior feeding sessions. It got to the point where I’d gasp when she latched because it hurt so much.
One day, she pulled off of me and gazed up into my eyes with a semi-smile on her face. To my horror the lower half of her face was covered in blood much like a clown would paint his mouth –only Nora’s face was dripping. I could also see pockets of blood pooling in her mouth. Horrified, I called my husband over and he came running to see what was wrong. Upon seeing her face he burst into laughter and pretty soon I was laughing too. We made jokes about our “demon child” who drank blood.
I think breastfeeding should come with a disclaimer about how terribly hard it is to master. No one ever told me that breastfeeding could be bloody. I remember proudly telling my friends that of course I was going to breastfeed. My mom and the women in my community made it look that easy! I’ve heard that in other cultures women learn by watching (up close) other women breastfeed. I offered to show my younger sisters how to breastfeed (once Nora and I got the hang of it of course). Boy you should have seen the looks on their faces! I think that’s probably why they don’t sit next to me anymore when I feed Nora.
I worked with the lactation consultant a lot. She said Nora was a “chewer” and we needed to teach her how to suck. I leaned on my friends for support. My diligence paid off and I have come to enjoy the quiet time with Nora while she is feeding. However, after dealing with the bleeding, clogged milk ducts, and mastitis; I would not fault any Mom who decides to throw in the towel and switch to formula. A lot of my friends had an easy transition to breastfeeding.
What was your experience?
I told you it was hard
It’s so different with every woman. You just never know how each baby will be! It is definitely a lot of work. Good for you that you were able to make it work. That’s awesome!
Wow Kelly, what a story! I think I would freak out too.
The lactation consultant was wonderful with me as well and I actually have called her a few times with questions.
When Sayle first started latching I had to inhale deeply and hold my breath until he relaxed his latch. Oh it hurt so bad for the first week or so, then we got the hang of it.
My cycle has returned and sadly my supply has gone way down so I have to supplement with formula. I have tried everything to get my supply back up and nothing is working. I figured that I lasted for 7 months so I did pretty well. I have plenty in the freezer so I believe he has atleast another 2 months of breast milk until he is on 100% formula.
Thanks Liz! It definitely is hard! I was so jealous of a fried of mine whose baby breastfed like a champ from day one. So far I think this is one of my biggest accomplishments. I’m so proud of myself and of you for getting the hang of it!
Brooke,
Lactation consultants are definitely worth their weight in gold!
How sad that you’re milk supply went down! I’ve heard of that happening to women before. I don’t have much milk in my freezer though, so you’re better off than me! That’s awesome to have saved so much milk!
Kelly thank you for your honesty…I had a similar experience and wondered the same thing…why had no one warned me? All the books out there say it can be “uncomfortable at first” which in no way prepares you for the truth! Maybe no one wants to scare new moms from attempting breastfeeding, but in my case I would absolutely have preferred the truth so I knew how to handle it better.
Hey Sarah,
I totally agree with you! I would have prefered to know the truth from the beginning so I could have been better prepared. I would have probably had the same experience- minus the heart attack.
Kelly