The KInd Life Community Forum

I didn't have a birth plan, but the birth of my son did not go as expected. My water broke one month early, and then I found out he was breech, so I ended up having a c-section. I would have preferred a natural birth, but I am simply happy to have a healthy baby. Because he was a month early, he eneded up needing to be in the NICU for 9 days because of pneumonia. He only required about 18 hours of minor breathing support, but did need 7 days of IV antibiotics. Because he was in the NICU, I was not able to breast feed, so I pumped breast milk and it was given to him via bottle for feeding tube. The NICU staff were 100% supportive of this method, and truly treated every drop of breast milk like "liquid gold." I worked so hard to get it after all. I started pumping 6 hours after his birth, and then proceded to pump breast milk every 3 hours, around the clock.

After about 3 days in the NICU, the staff said that I could try to actually breast feed him. I was thrilled! I was also very nervous because of everything I had heard about nipple confusion. So, with my mother and a lactation consultant by my side, we tried. Much to my surprise, and the surprise of the lactation consultant, Owen latched on without hesitation and actually nursed for a few minutes!

Every day, the NICU doctors would decide how many calories he likely requried, and then determined how many milliliters of breast milk he needed at each feeding. He did drop the initial 10% of his body weight as many newborns do, but then regained it, and then some. I was able to pump all of the breast milk he needed for most of his stay. I was also able to actually breast feed him once or twice a day in the NICU. About half way through his NICU stay, I started to get worried that I wouldn't be able to breast feed him when he was discharged because he was so used to the bottle nipple. The doctors reassured me that if I was determined, I would be able to breast feed exclusivley upon his arrival home.

I now exlusively breast feed, and he took the breast like a champ! On his last night in the hospital, I was put to the challenge of breast feeding him all day, and all night (they put me, my husband, and baby in a special room, where Owen was still attached to monitors, but where we could all sleep) and seeing in the morning if he gained any weight. If he did, I could take him home. We did it! I was so proud that we had done it, together.

One of my proudest moments was when my mother, who had been by my side the whole time told, me she was proud of me for what I did for my child. I pumped breast milk for him, every 2 hours at times, so that he could have the best thing for him while he was ill. She told me that she wouldn't have been able to do that. I thought my mom could do anything. I was taken back by her comment because I didn't even think about what I was doing, I just knew that I had to do it, for my son.

I had a very fast, natural waterbirth. The breastfeeding just happened naturally shortly after we got out of the birthing tub. One very valuable piece of advice my midwives gave me was to express some extra colostrum in a spoon once the baby was done eating, and put the spoon to the baby's mouth. The baby will take in the extra milk when the spoon is put to his/her lips. I did this after each time my baby ate during the first day and a half, and by the time I woke up the second day after giving birth, my milk had come in. Expressing extra colostrum and feeding it to my baby prevented the baby from losing too much weight (he actually gained an ounce by his first pediatrician visit when he was 3 days old) and it also helped bring my milk in quickly, with adequate supply. My experience with breastfeeding was wonderful, and it felt very natural.

My pregnancy was a huge miracle in itself and I started researching everything pregnancy and baby related, including breastfeeding and it's amazing health benefits. I was unsure if I would be "able" to nurse my little one, but was set on exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months as a goal. I had a rough pregnancy battling HG (extreme morning sickness) and then after 26 hours of active, natural labor was rushed into surgery for a C-Section that I was not completely numb nor mentally prepared for. I was terrified that since I was put into recovery and my newborn was rushed to the NICU that we would have latching and breastfeeding issues. About an hour after surgery we were reunited and she was placed on my chest, right away she latched and started suckling. I was so grateful that she seemed to "know" exactly what to do. We were able to exclusively BF for 10 months before starting her first solids, avocados which she still loves. Both her and I have such a strong bond, I am so proud that we have been able to maintain a great nursing relationship, which still continues as she is nearing 3 years old. I really believe our parenting style and co-sleeping came naturally, just as breastfeeding has. I am much more in tune to my little one's needs and cues by having the bond we have through nursing. Although the feedings are only at bed times and it seems she is starting to self-wean, I still cherish our milkies and cuddle time and feel good that I have been able to provide her with such wonderful nutrition well past our 6 month goal!

For me, being able to breastfeed my son, and now my brand new daughter is the most incredible, beautiful blessing I've ever received. Sure, it's tough at first - getting that first latch, waiting for the milk to come in, dealing with sore nipples and wondering if it will ever really work. But then, suddenly, in the quiet of the nursery, you hear the sound of a baby breathing and swallowing, breathing and swallowing, breathing and swallowing... and their tiny eyes look up and meet yours, and it's like heaven finally met earth. And now, my second time around, I'm not afraid or ashamed to nurse in public places. With my son, I was always covering up, hiding in dark corners and bathrooms, worried what others might think. Now, I nurse where I want to nurse, and don't hide my baby's absolute right to eat whenever and wherever she wants! I am proud that I am able to nourish my baby with milk that my body makes. That her adorable little leg rolls and chubby cheeks are there because of me! What a magical, wonderful gift being a mother is.