6.16.2007

The Milk Truck Has Arrived

And I think it ran over me. Happens every time, but always sends me through the roof. Cantaloupes Watermelons come to mind. Frequently. Let's just say LaKisha's got nothing on me.

What makes it even more exciting is latch-on difficulty (has also happened every time). I'm a huge believer in breastfeeding, but I will be the last person on earth to tell anyone that it's a beautiful, natural bonding love fest from the first moment.

My bit of learned wisdom on the matter is to not be alarmed if it's awkward, painful, exhausting and exceedingly frustrating - that just means you're busting one more of the motherhood myths, that if it's not perfectly lovely all the time, you're doing it wrong and should feel like a failure. So I'm trying to take my own advice and chill out a bit this time.

(I do still think La Leche League is evil, ever since their consultant told me when it happened with Calvin that the solution was to walk around shirtless all day, keep the baby in a sling, when he got hungry enough he would take it, and no matter what, don't give him a bottle because he would get confused. Yeah, not what I wanted to hear when I already felt like nothing but a walking pair of bawling breasts. And definitely not good for him, since he started peeing crystals before he got hungry enough to breastfeed right. Besides the fact that Calvin's about the last kid on earth who would get confused about anything...)

I had great hopes with Charlie because he was the first of my babies to immediately start rooting upon birth with perfectly flanged lips and the whole bit, but alas...cantaloupes watermelons can really be problematic when it comes to figuring out how to suck juice out of them. So I've got (LOTS of) milk and cream, he wants it, but we can't make it work without a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

BUUUUUUT....

I did score a fabulous breast pump on craigslist - $250 value for $40, it's in near-new condition and could really be considered a life support system right now. (Charlie was down to a meager *wink, wink* 8 pounds, 14 ounces yesterday.) Plus, I'm just pleased that I thought to look for a bargain before spending big bucks in desperation.

This is the first hardest part of a newby for me (aside from the emotional/hormonal train that hits at about six weeks), but we'll get the hang of it and things will settle down in a week or two. I hope.

One great thing is that the older boys are sleeping through the night wakings, even sleeping in a bit in the morning, which is a relief - I was sure we would have at least one child up at any given moment all night long every night. But so far so good.

And Charlie? Best infant ever. So not only am I incredibly well-endowed at this point, I'm one lucky mom of three.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

I love the name.

Congrats again.

I hear ya about the glandular problems.

someone else said...

I started chuckling when I read your title. I remember when the milk truck arrived and....ouch!! I only nursed my first for about 2 months (because my milk ran out), and the second for about 2 weeks (because the pain was more than I could handle). I'm a believer in bottle-fed babies if breast-feeding time becomes a chore rather than a bonding experience. It was so much nicer when I could feed and enjoy the cuddle instead of feed and endure the pain.

I'm glad you're coming along so well.

Blog Antagonist said...

Oh boy...I had the same issue. Oversupply and hyper letdown, which felt like someone was squeezing my breast in a vice. Well, at least I never had to worry about my kids being hungry.

Anonymous said...

Hurrah! Best of luck to you as you and Charlie negotiate your particular breastfeeding relationship. It seems to be different with every one....

Anonymous said...

I confess I am not a lover of breastfeeding this time around.....I am a true believer in breastfeeding but the first excuses she gives me to stop, I will in a heartbeat. My letdown still hurts at six months. I wish I could help! Ps the fact that someone told you to starve your kid is CRAZY...they are not dogs! Let me at her! I'll be thinkin of you.

An Ordinary Mom said...

Never a short supply of milk here, either.

I hope it gets better!

Kayris said...

My "favorite" part was when they would suddenly let go and get squirted in the eye by the geyser of milk! Those first few weeks are rough (and soggy).

And to "s" let-down should not hurt. Have you been treated for thrush? I've had thrush more times than I can count and my first clue that I have it is when let down is painful.

KatieBug said...

It always took me at least two weeks to get in a groove with a new little one. I had to count to 10 and do slow breathing just to get through the latch on. And then there are the uterine contractions that go with it..... I always waited to take my pain pill until the baby was hungry.

The Amazing Trips said...

Oy. You know my thoughts on breastfeeding, right?!

La Leche League IS evil >> good intentioned, but evil, nonetheless. I still can't believe that they gave out the stupid advice to walk around shirtless until your baby was starving from hunger. Why, I oughta...

Good advice on purchasing the breastpump ahead of time. Definitely not something that I've really considered but I can see where it would be useful until you and Charlie get in to the swing of things.

Take care :)

NOBODY said...

Well I don't know what's wrong with you! I see rainbows and cute little pixie fairies everytime I nurse. And my child and I stare lovingly into each other's eyes while I sing lovingly lullabies to him and he stops periodically to coo his appreciation and contentment at me. I guess we can't all be as luck as ME.

I have to say, maybe there is something to #3, but I may have to contest your "best infant ever" title. What a blessing---I gots one of those too!!

So glad the older boys are sleeping well. That's wonderful.

I just want to reiterate, TAKE IT EASY. Even when you are feeling well, take it easy. I keep shooting myself in the foot, and I'm speaking from 10 days of wisdom here... :)

the lizness said...

dear God, I have got to lose my cantalopes before I get pregnant then ... I can't afford watermellons

Ice Cream said...

I remember looking down at my watermelons, then looking at my new baby's teeny little lips and thinking, "How they heck am I gonna get this into that???" Each of my kids had there own certain "issues" with breast feeding. The ones who nursed great gave me an awful time with weaning (And no, I will not nurse past 12 months. Sorry). Keep taking it easy and enjoy your nice breast pump.

Pam said...

I could never figure out how to keep the melons and lose the weight from the rest of my body...sigh:) oh well. I'm with you on the whole breastfeeding thing though. Totally for it but no one really tells you how hard it's going to be- with every baby:) Hang in there - if I were from the La Leche League, I'd tell you to hang out there:) lol!

Diane @ A Watered Garden said...

Ouch...I remember those days! Good deal on the pump...I bet it can be so helpful. Enjoy that little one! Blessings, Diane

Gina Conroy said...

My third son was the best baby ever. Content to sit in a stroller for hours. He's still that way.

Then we got our girl, baby number four and seems like we started the crazy baby cycle all over again.

Yet, wouldn't trade her for the world. :)