Tell us about your breastfeeding experience.
This is my first child and we've had nursing issues from the start.
Your Breastfeeding Story
My son is 12 weeks old. We have had problems nursing from the start. My right nipple was inverted and we were not properly latching on for the first 10 days, not knowing this when they sent us home from the hospital. So I continued to try nursing for those first 10 days and continued to get bloody and raw. Frustrated, emotional, discouraged, we started supplementing with formula. I kept trying to nurse occasionally and pump in between. I stopped nursing for about 5 days. Once I started nursing again I was getting bloody and tore up again. I saw 5 lactation consultants and every time his latch looked great and he would appear to be fine, until they left the room...I was so discouraged and upset. I felt like a failure, like I was letting everyone down because this wasn't as easy as I felt it should be. I finally started only nursing him when I felt better and when I would start to get sore, I would give him the bottle. We still struggle a bit on my right side but it's getting better. I'm so glad I stuck with it. It's so much more convenient than bottles and the bond I feel with him and so strong!
Advice
- I felt like a failure at first, however I've learned I'm not. It's okay to use the bottle. As long as my little guy is healthy and growing, that is the most important thing. My one main piece of advice is to make sure you are latching on properly before they send you home from the hospital. Had I known this, I think nursing would have been a lot easier from the beginning.
