Uncharted Waters: Jasmine’s Breastfeeding Journey

Unchartered 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 

breasts and was sad. With some work, she slowly started being ok on the left side again. By 7 months she was eating on both sides great again and everything had evened out.

By 11 months, she reduced herself to nursing only in the morning and before bed, and finally weaned herself right before her first birthday. I wasn’t quite ready to let go of that relationship yet, but she was ready so it was okay. It was so worth all of the pain and tears.

I never thought I would be so passionate about breastfeeding. I also always thought I would never be comfortable breastfeeding in front of anyone, but after I had my baby I didn’t care who was there I just knew she was hungry and I was going to feed her whether they liked it or not. I’ve had so much support online and off and I’ve learned so much from everyone, it really made the my experience so much easier. I’m very thankful for all the supportive mommies and LCs who helped us along the way.

~Jasmine

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