Breast Feeding Stories

Tami Payne

I have both bottle-fed and breastfed. In all honesty, I was ignorant on the truths of breastfeeding until I chose to educate myself. I feel it is so important for new parents to research all their options from methodsofchildbirth to feeding their new baby, then an informed decision can be made. My first was born in 1988. I was 23.

The thought of breastfeeding did not appeal to me. I attended a hospital sponsored childbirth education class. I barely remember breastfeeding mentioned, whatever was said did NOT make any kind of impression or impact. My conclusion was; if the hospital doesn't promote or encourage breastfeeding than bottle-feeding must be okay.

I was naive.

Formula did not agree with my son, he cried constantly because of gas and constipation. Ear infections were another major problem, he had to have tubes surgically placed in his ears at 9 months.

My next was born in 1990. I did not attend any preparation classes this time. Again I assumed bottle-feeding was okay. No one suggested breastfeeding. I had another gassy, constipated, and constantly crying baby. Ear infections were also a problem but not as severe.Here I continue with my breast feeding story. My next was born in 1993. Again I attended no classes and assumed bottle-feeding was okay.

Breastfeeding was never mentioned. Again I had an unhappy tummy troubled baby with ear infections and eczema.

Not once with or after my children were born did anyone mention breastfeeding could have decreased if not prevented the problems we dealt with. Breastfeeding never even crossed my mind. 

In 1995 I was pregnant again. I knew this baby was going to be my last, I wanted to take nothing for granted. I bought my first breastfeeding book out of curiosity. It was an eye-opening experience. My mind was made up - how could I not breastfeed knowing all the facts. I attended a breastfeeding class and read all the books I could get my hands on. I wanted to be informed and prepared.

My son, Samuel Louis, was born on 10/27/95, 16 days early by c-section. ( I had a difficult pregnancy with kidney problems and an obstructed ureter.) In recovery I wanted to nurse my new son. A Nursery nurse was called to assist us. She came in my room, looked at me, said I was attached to too many wires, and walked out. I was stunned. My husband attempted to help me but we were like the Three Stooges, with baby making three. I was in tears. My Labor and Delivery nurse thankfully came into the room and helped.

Our first experience was a disappointment, I was in pain from the incision and Sammy didn't seem to be interested in sucking but I was determined to get this right. I was in the hospital for 5 days because of my kidney. I had a difficult time getting Sammy to latch on correctly. This lasted a couple of days; some nurses were very helpful and stayed with me till we got him latched on properly while others made quick attempts and others made none at all.

I experienced different nurses and many different opinions expressed to me whether I asked or not. Keeping him in my room was a constant battle; he had to be in the nursery when the shifts changed or the paediatricians made their rounds, or so I was told. I discovered saying "He just started to nurse," usually got us a lot more time. I was encouraged to supplement because of his weight loss and lack of wet diapers. I refused. His weight loss was minimal and he was wetting fine according to my pediatrician and my count of his wet diapers. (He was 1 oz shy of his 8 lb. 1 oz. birth weight on day 5).

Here I continue with my breast feeding story.A Lactation Consultant was on staff but I never felt comfortable with her. She seemed to make her rounds while the babies were in the nursery. Needless to say, I went home with bleeding and sore nipples. I cried every time he latched on. It took about a week but we corrected our problems and I was finally able to painlessly nurse. I quickly discovered I had a baby that did NOT suffer from gas pains, constipation, eczema, or inconsolable crying. What a difference!! I didn't realize being a mom could be so enjoyable and I could satisfy my babies needs so easily and completely.

At 14 weeks postpartum I was scheduled for reconstructive kidney surgery requiring a 4 day hospital stay. My urologist wrote on his orders for me to have a private room and I could have my baby brought to me and breastfeed. I pumped and froze a quantity of milk in preparation for when I couldn't nurse. My hospital experience was terrible, in summary:

it took 2 days to get a pump, no one knew how to set up the pump (I was in no shape due to my pain meds), the nurses were angry because they felt a baby should NOT be allowed on the floor for any reason, comments were made to me that this was no place for a baby, and none of the nurses had experience working with a breastfeeding mom, they didn't know what to do with me. At this point I found a private LC. She was my lifeline and able to give me accurate information with adequate explanations. (Mary, I am forever grateful for your wisdom, encouragement and support. Thank you with my heart!)

My kidney problems were not resolved and more tests were and are still required. Pumping and dumping is necessary for up to 24 hrs with these tests. These periods are emotionally and physically difficult. My mind, body, and heart wants to feed my baby but I know I can't.

My son's confusion and frustration are apparent and upsetting to me, but we struggle through. The meaningfulness of our nursing relationship is truly expressed after one of these periods. Sammy's excitement and anticipation is expressed by the light in his eyes, happy gooing, and waving arms and legs when he realizes he can finally nurse.

I regret not breastfeeding all my children, but I did what I thought was best determined from the information I was given. I now realize how important is is for parents to be educated about breastfeeding so they can make an informed decision and question contradictions when necessary. My breastfeeding experiences have given me a new goal in life. I want to counsel nursing moms, I want to help educate them about breastfeeding and help them be secure and comfortable in their ability to make parenting choices regarding breastfeeding. If I can make a difference, one person at a time, I will have reached my goals. She enjoys it immensely and I derive pleasure from knowing that not only

have I given her the best start in life,

but that my breasts have fulfilled the purpose for which they were intended, in addition to having saved a small fortune on formula milk!

My name is Tammi, I am the mom of 4.

During pregnancy the breasts increase in size, WOW you say. This isn't for your titillation. The blood supply increases, the network of veins become more apparent, all in preparation for the onslaught of mothers liquid gold. All mammalian milk is species specific and we are after all, mammals. Even though some of us think we're God like.

Human milk is a very precious commodity.

No more precious than any other milk meant to feed it's infant, but over the years human breast-feeding has been left out in the cold and given bad press. Considering it is the best milk we can give to our babies only ....% feed past two weeks, .....% past six weeks and ....% to the recommended 6 months and beyond. We are the only species who routinely give their infants substitute milk, why??????

During the turn of the century the medical profession got all scientific and obsessed with numbers. Victorian breasts had to be hidden away. Breast feeding became a rather vulgar occupation, especially in the upper classes. A breast-feeding child was marked by the devil, because you didn't do that sort of thing! Breasts belonged to men in the bedroom and not for babies as nature intended. Women resorted to 'closet' breast feeding and in affluent societies 'wet nurses' took off, big time, (surrogate lactating mothers, prepared to feed another women's child).

Less of this background information and back to the obsession with numbers. Human beings are controlling creatures. The idea of not being able to see what a breast fed baby ingested in fl oz (milliliters), trusting nature to do it's job, was a temptation to huge to be ignored. The medics/pediatrics' avidly watched and noted how much substitute milk disappeared from those forced bottle munching, babies. They clock watched too. They then applied the average time it took to drink a certain amount, how long it took the child to scream in hunger for more, to breast feeding infants, because it made them feel more secure in an area where little was known. BIG MISTAKE.

Just as we all have different fingerprints, so women have different breasts. The rules for scientific 3 - 4 hourly feeds (as it turned out) attributed to formulae fed babies (otherwise known as schedule feeding) may work for some breast feeding women, for most it will not! Human milk production and its very fine balance of supply and demand can be easily affected in the early weeks.

Our desire to have 'GOOD BABIES' leads many parents into believing that these strict regimens teach our babies to behave. Most people don't realize that formulae stays in the gut far longer than human milk. Ounce for ounce, quite frankly there is know comparison.Breast milk is so pure and well absorbed it leaves the baby hungrier quicker, with less deposits (poops).

It takes less breast milk to feed a child than it does formula. Breast feeding babies, by design, need to be fed more frequently. In our society this is seen as a failure, in fact the finger is pointed at the mother. Her 'milk is thin', 'quality substandard', 'there's not enough' are sayings often heard. The 'told you so' comments come flying and the bottle of formula lands. Over this last century, in particular, a women's amazing ability to exclusively breast feed her child, as intended, has been manipulated, mistrusted and even seen as disgusting. Don't you find it a little strange, that thousands of years of evolution should be doubted and more trust put into the invention of the bottle? What would you prefer to rest your head on? I rest my case.... Formula (mostly made from cows milk) was meant for the sweet little mooing things in pastures green. It should be given to a baby as a last ditch resort. In well-supported environments this shouldn't arise. Unless the women have a physiological problem with the workings of her breasts the problem shouldn't arise, the health system will have failed the parents, not her breasts.

The manufacturers of formula have for years touted; their artificial feed is equal to human milk, in some cases better. This is about as far from the truth as saying men don't like breasts. In underdeveloped countries unsanitized water mixed with formula can kill the infants that drink it. Manufacturers advertise their formula product for one thing only 'MONEY'. The only financial gain in breast-feeding is the money the parents save 'NOT' buying formula. Get the picture? Breast milk is sterile and much more! Breast feeding milk is a living substance,

varying from mother to mother to fit her child. It contains every viral antibody the mother has ever been in contact with. Babe gets a shot of protection Everytime he/she feeds. Human milk contains all the vitamins, minerals, iron, fats, sugars, proteins, enzymes and water. Not one more drink has to pass babies lips, even on a scorching hot day. A breast fed child will be less likely to suffer from asthma, eczema and a whole host of other little goodies (saving yet more money, this time on medical bills). I'd better get off my soapbox.

Did you know that well-established breasts can produce a lot of milk...Inextricably women can produce more for one of her children than another? It's as if the mother and child intuitively know together what the baby needs. A mother can even feed triplets, in one breast-feedingsitting. Kinda makes your teaspoon of bodily fluid look rather paltry doesn't it, just from a volume point of view!!!!! As you can begin to see and appreciate, anything to do with the breasts shouldn't be rushed or underestimated. Just as you like to fondle, twiddle and linger, so does babe. Breast feeding isn't just about milk. Offering the breast, anytime, anywhere should be normal. A babe sucking is an urge of great magnitude, rather like you. They need to suck. They expend energy; derive comfort, security, love and warmth. It's their first social exchange. It exercises their jaw and aids the growth of teeth. Demand feeding as we call it in the trade, is instinctive and shouldn't be messed with. We should promote this fact and be in tune with it. Sadly this is a lost art.

As you can see, breast feeding is a 24 hr affair, for many reasons.

Wouuuuu! What a Breast Feeding Story

Breastfeeding in public. Ohhh, now this is a contentious issue. But why? If you lot like ogling, why stop just because a women feeds her child. I was once asked if I would go and feed my baby in the toilet, whilst nursing in a cafe. I said sure, if you'd like to bring your lunch and join us on the toilet seat. Thankfully the manager (a BLOKE....) asked HER to leave.......... If you round up this information and think logically (most men are good at lateral thinking), you'll understand what a 'cracking pair' we women have.

Nature at it's best and most beautiful. Breast feeding for many women is a passionate affair. Tuck this somewhere safe in your mind and when the time comes to share your life with the woman you adore and you both decide to have children, give her all the encouragement you can.

She'll love you even more for it. Passionately, together you can watch your child grow, oh and her breasts..........

Breasts are beautiful; they also produce milk, the best pre-packed convenience food out there, now that's an advertisement well worth remembering...

It took my first child and I six weeks to get it right.

With some advice from the pediatrician, lots of practice and a grea breast pump, I was able to get my milk supply back when it had dried up at 3 weeks. I gave the baby both breasts until she was done or fell asleep, then I pumped for 10 or so minutes for more sucking/stumulation and either gave it to her in a bottle or put it in the fridge.
It was very difficult and frustrating and tiring but all of the hard work paid off.
I hope you were able to hang in there. Also La Leche League gives good advice and some hospitals have meetings with mothers and

babies that are breastfeeding.