Breast is Best

If you have no connection to breastfeeding whatsoever this post may be way too much.

When I was expecting our first baby, one of the things I did lots of research and made a few lists about was breastfeeding. I read Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding, watched his videos showing good technique  and had a lesson in our prenatal class where we practiced with dolls. All that still didn't prepare me for how hard breastfeeding can be.

The first 48 hours of breastfeeding were by far the most difficult for me (for both babies, because I seemed to forget a lot after the first). The baby is only getting colostrum for the first few days (not milk) and they start to get grumpy and impatient at how little is coming out, right about the time of the second night. It was a long, tiring, emotional night for us the first time, especially because we didn't realize she would be over-satisfied the next day when my milk came in (though my breasts weren't happy with the engorgement).

Grace fed for 2 hours after she was born.

I was so lucky to have fantastic midwives, who visited in the first day, three and five days after the baby was born to check on our technique in the comfort of home. Breastfeeding got off to a fantastic start with our first baby and at the end of the first week we had a great routine down.

When our second baby came along, I think I was a bit complacent about the whole thing. I didn't have the lie-in time that we did with our first, mainly because we had a little toddler running around, needing things. Also because there is this dangerous energy high driven by hormones in the first few days after birth that makes you feel like you have way more energy than you actually do, and that your body is much less worn out than it actually is. All these factors led to me not focusing carefully enough on good breastfeeding and good latch with our second baby. It led to her not gaining weight for the first two weeks.



My midwife Tama checking my latch
when we were still in hospital.

 My midwife put me on Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek, two herbs that increase milk supply, and leave you smelling like a curry dish (would be yummy if it wasn't seeping out of my pores). She examined my latch carefully a few times and didn't see anything obvious to point to why my baby wasn't getting enough milk. I was put on two days of 'bed rest' with the baby to slow down and just focus on feeding.  I was referred to the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic a few days later.

The visit to the clinic was amazing. They were so warm and inviting. I had a private room with two breastfeeding consultants who spent a while discussing all that had happened up to then, and talking about the characteristics of a good latch. Then I fed my baby, with them coaching on technique and making slight adjustments. The biggest 'AH HA' moment for me was when they showed me how to cradle her head resting my hand at the base of her neck (not on her head), to be able to maneuver her head more easily, and then to tilt her head back, pushing her chin into my breast. The effect of this technique was instant. If she had stopped feeding for a bit and I tilted her head back a bit, she would start up feeding again. All these details aside, I left the clinic feeling confident about feeding and knowing she was going to gain weight now. And she did, and gained 2lbs a week for a few months thereafter.

I can't thank the Newman Clinic and my midwives enough for helping me get back on track with breastfeeding. And I can't help but encourage anyone (new mother or not) who will be breastfeeding to read through their material and video clips to learn (or refresh) what a good latch looks like and how to achieve it.

I recently discovered that their clinic has lost alot of their funding, and is at risk. If you have ever used their website, books or videos to help you with breastfeeding and have the means, please donate whatever you can to help support other new mothers (or even yourself) and ensure they have access to this fantastic resource. http://www.drjacknewman.com/breastfeeding-help.asp