You’ve survived the swollen ankles, wonky cravings, wretched morning sickness, and the pain of labor. Now you’re holding your precious new babe and it’s time to breastfeed.
So now what?
Here are 5 things you need to know about nursing your newborn the first week postpartum.
When I first became a new stay-at-home mom, I imagined a relaxing vacation every day.
Sure, my baby would need me, but I would have plenty of time to exercise, pursue hobbies, and unwind while she took long, regular naps.
Instead, I felt overwhelmed and depressed, lost my identity, and struggled to take regular showers for the first 4-5 months.
I’d had YEARS to research and prepare for mommyhood, so I knew I wanted to breastfeed to give my child to give him the best possible start in life. In the hospital, the nurses taught Alexander and I how to breastfeed.Alas, he was a pretty sleepy little guy and I wasn’t making much colostrum (pre-milk). Add to this the fact that my milk came in late on day 5, and Alexander had had enough of breastfeeding within a week. He’d cry, fuss, and shake his head when we tried to nurse.
There are probably about 176 things on your to do list, and you’re probably too tired / sick / overwhelmed to tackle most of them.
(At least I was.)
I mean – as you’re approaching “Baby Time” you need to get stuff done – wrap things up at work, decorate the baby room, choose names, make freezer meals,
But it’s not always easy. At least not for everyone – certainly not for me! (In fact, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve done.)
I watched my sister struggle with breastfeeding through two babies, and when I was pregnant with the squishy baby I swore I wouldn’t distress over breastfeeding him. I figured I would try it and if it was a disaster I would go to formula, no stress.
Calling all new mommas –
There’s an internet marketing company called Mother’s Lounge, and they are tryin’ to get you to BUY.
They are legit, and they use awesome “loss leaders” (where the company might actually lose money on something) to get you shopping. As a marketing tactic, it’s proven to work.
Those first few weeks of Motherhood…
Bleeding. Exhausted. Scared. Crying. (And that’s just me. I’m sure it’s an adjustment for the baby too.)
Oh. my. word. My nipples. (Do I still even have nipples? Maybe I just wish I didn’t have nipples?)
I am so tired. Really, extremely tired. I know I’m not the only exhausted mommy out there. I’m in good company. I’d bet that most of the mommys are exhausted.
There are seasons where you just can’t be as present in your life as you’d like to be. I’m experiencing one of these seasons now. There are probably some women out there who, 8 weeks postpartum, are on top of the world. They’re back at work. Their houses are spotless. They are wearing (clean) clothes. Maybe they have slept in the past week or two.
Dealing with anxiety in pregnancy isn’t something I had ever given much thought to before – and I had shared (more or less) all the basics of the things I know about living well with anxiety. But of course, there’s always more to learn. In fact, every new experience offers me a choice – A) choose to learn how to deal or B) spiral into full blown prolonged panic mode.