Uncharted Waters: Jasmine’s Breastfeeding Journey

Before my baby was born, I knew I wanted to breastfeed, and I thought it was going to be much easier than it was. I honestly didn’t know much other than the basics (putting her on my breast and pumping). The day she was born, she latched on right away and I thought she did amazing. She nursed all day, and by the second day my nipples were raw. The lactation consultant told me it was ok to give her a pacifier to give me a break and it helped a lot.

I remember thinking how easy it seemed…until my milk came in. My breasts were so engorged and I didn’t know what to do. I tried to pump to get relief but was only getting drops and it hurt so bad. I sat in my living room with a giant bowl of hot water and tried to soak them, which helped a little. I ordered a different pump and it didn’t hurt as much and I actually started getting milk out. Every time I had a let down it felt like someone was pinching my nipples really hard. I was definitely not expecting that. Once things regulated it got a lot easier and I wasn’t as sore. She nursed off both sides really well until she was about 4 months old. Then suddenly she started to refuse my left breast. I’m a heavy leaker on that side and it’s always been my slacker. She screamed when I tried to nurse her on that side so I tried to just pump and use the Haakka on the other. I ended up with really uneven