Nourishing Her, Nurturing Me: My Breastfeeding Journey

Breastfeeding is often described as one of the most natural things in the world, but for me, it was also a journey of learning, patience, and incredible bonding. From those first moments of figuring it out together to the emotional highs and challenges along the way, breastfeeding has been as much about nourishing my baby as it has been about personal growth. This is the story of our journey—a mix of joy, perseverance, and deep connection that has shaped my early days of motherhood. In the recovery room, they will have you immediately try to latch your baby if you plan to breastfeed. For me, it felt so impossible as I was so numb, in shock, and could barely move my limbs (even though my top half wasn't numb, it still felt numb?). Obviously, they will not have you do this if you don't plan to nurse. But, I was so shocked and amazed at how a little baby just knows that THAT is where it's nutrients come from. How does a baby (and a b00b) if we are being honest just know how to all work like that together!? It is such a beautiful thing that a woman's body can do. We are simply BUILT DIFFERENT. It was challenging, it was beautiful, it was painless, but it was indescribable. It took time and a whole lot of patience. We encountered a struggle along the way, my baby had a tongue tie & and lip tie that my Doctor later discovered. If you do not know what a tongue or lip tie is - it is a condition where the tissue that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, is too short, thick, or tight. Hers was classified as a grade 4 tie which was the worst it could be. We immediately scheduled an appointment with the dentist to get this lasered so we could have a easier breastfeeding journey. I will go into more detail with this at a later time. We had a really bad night in the hospital where we discovered that she had lost an entire pound since her birth weight. This was in the 13% and they don't like to see it go over 10%. We had to introduce some formula to her in the hospital to ensure she would gain weight until we got her tie released. We also had the lactation consultant come to the room to help us guide her to a easier latch. This is where she introduced a nipple shield to us which was our lifesaver between the time of finding out about it until her procedure that following week. Without this shield, it would have been impossible for her to latch at all. When we got sent home, the days became extremely long and the journey became very... difficult. I was scared she wasn't gaining any weight, feedings would take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and she would still be hungry afterwards, and it just became clockwork to where everything was hurting me, I was getting no sleep, and she was still so hungry. Constant tears were happening and this release procedure could not come quick enough. I am here to tell you that breastfeeding/pumping is no easy job. It is mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting ESPECIALLY during these newborn days where all you want to do is enjoy your tiny and snuggly baby. But, you feel connected to the couch/bed and the wall during your 2-3 hour feedings that is constant. Because I started to feel this way and was nervous about her weight gain, we introduced bottles during the daytime feedings. This has helped my mental state a lot. I know she's eating 2-3oz every feeding, she is full faster, more time for snuggles and in between pumps, and it just made me feel so much better when guests were over as well, PLUS Daddy now gets to help with those feedings giving me more free-time to take care of myself as well. We personally had the best luck using the Lansinoh Anti-Colic Baby Bottles for Breastfeeding Babies, 5 Ounces, 3 Count, Includes 3 Slow Flow Nipples, Size S. These bottles were most like breastfeeding so she still nurses throughout the night with our shield with no "confusion". I wanted to create another read explaining her tongue and lip tie release, so please continue to my next blog called "A Small Fix for a Big Difference: Our Tongue and Lip Tie Release Journey".