A few days ago, I was feeding Jarek on one of his late night cravings, and I noticed that my boobs and nipples were BURNING and stinging and ached for HOURS after we finished nursing. I could barely even put my shirt back on, it hurt that bad. I spent endless hours surfing the internet trying to see if I could supplement for just a few feedings to see if I could get my boobs back to feeling okay.
Cue the guilt! Wow! Even the thought of supplementing is taboo and 'breast is best' is peppered everywhere! But what about Mom? What about the excruciating pain I am having? I know breastmilk is best...but what if I just can't do it?
Well...forget what everyone else says. Do what makes Jarek AND me happy. And for that? It was one feeding of half breastmilk/half supplement and then it was time to get intimate with my breast pump. This was the BEST decision of my parenthood journey yet! I was able to pump at least 2oz at each interval (which sometimes yields 5oz per session!) I am able to bottle feed my boy until my nips heal up.
When I reached out to my lactation consultant she immediately assumed I had thrush. But that was close to impossible. Jarek has no signs, I have no signs except pain. Further research shows that I have vasospasm of the nipples (double owwy!) so feeding breast all day (up to 12 times daily) is impossible for me. So, the last few days, every 2 hrs I am pumping at least my goal of 2oz per session, and Jarek is getting fed 2oz each session from the previous pump. At least once or twice a day I let him latch on and he has no problems suckling.
After a few days of treatments and rest, I can actually say his latch is not making me ache anymore! Yes!!! Thank goodness!!!
I want to say this: Don't let anyone push you into a stereotype, just because its the thing to do. If you need a break? Do it! If pumping/bottles will help you heal? Do it! If formula is the way to go...do it! There is no place for guilt in parenthood. The pumping/bottle decision has been the best way for our family, and my boobs are so thankful for it. Now, they are expressed in a timely manner, eliminating the daily pain I went through from engorgement and not being drained during his 4hr naps.
In other news? Jarek is growing fast. He will be 3 weeks tomorrow! He is already pushing out of his newborn onesies. I cannot wait for his Dr appt in a few weeks. I am so curious how much he weighs. You can actually see his chubby cheeks now and pudgy arms. We are so, so in love! He now even looks deep into your eyes and is really getting into a routine. Parenthood is so, so wonderful!