Try harder! Or be honest with yourself…

"But, I tried! I just couldn't make any milk!"
"So what leads you to believe that, after creating a whole person with
organs and tissue and a beating heart, that your body would call it
quits when it came time to feeding this thing?"

 

I've noticed lately that when I hear a woman claim she couldn't breastfeed because she wasn't making enough milk I have to take a deep breath. Then when I find out later that supplementing was going on because she wasn't making enough for her baby…I take yet another deep breath. Then when I hear that her mother, a friend, or whomever, told her that she should just give her baby formula because some women just can't make enough milk—I take an even bigger deep breath. The woman starts giving a little formula, a little more, than sooner than she thinks—her own milk is diminishing at a surprising rate then concludes to herself that everyone was right—she couldn't do it. Oh well.

This happens so often it actually irritates the hell out of me. Then women jump down my throat claiming that some women just can't breastfeed; some claim for medical reasons. Okay, I tell them. But what about these other women? Excuses after excuses. It would make me feel so much better if that woman were just HONEST about her choice in feeding her baby
instead of making it seem she "tried so hard" at breastfeeding her baby but just couldn't do it—couldn't make enough milk (that's the BIGGEST excuse out there!). Because, frankly, all those lame excuses are like a disease. Really, it is. It spreads like wild fire and makes other new mothers afraid of even trying to breastfeed their baby because the excuses flying around out there. All new mothers hear is: sore cracked (I've even heard "deformed" used before!) bleeding nipples, engorgement, unattractive, difficult, no free time, you don't have your body anymore, etc., etc., etc. The new mothers hear a whole lot of negative comments but how much positive information does she receive about breastfeeding? Sure, maybe her WIC advisor or whomever says breast is best—but who there is going to fully support her? Support is key. A strong woman may not need as much support—but most, especially being a NEW mother, need so much support. Any of those negative things can be avoided if you know what to do. Proper latch and feeding on demand can fix the nipple issue and engorgement. After the first two-three months—you are a professional and will have no problems (usually) with milk supply.

Okay, okay. I'm not saying it's the easiest thing to do. For some, it might be difficult…or it might be a breeze. It certainly wasn't a breeze for me in the beginning but it was something I wanted. I wanted it so badly. I didn't listen to people telling me that it's okay that he's not latching on because, here's the winner, some women can't breastfeed. WHAT? I would tell them. I'm making the milk, damnit. I just need him to latch on. I was so mad at myself for having "a lame boob" . That (haha) is what I call it. It's an inverted nipple and over 10-20% of all women have them. Is it possible to breastfeed with them? HELL YES! I was determined. I pumped constantly to keep the milk up—I got a nipple shield to help my baby latch on—which he hated even more…But I did not give up. Now, successfully, I am breastfeeding on both sides and SO proud. I succeeded because it was something I wanted to do for my baby and actually, I was fueled even more by the people telling me not to feel bad—a lot of women formula feed. Well, dears, I am not going to be one of them (Infant formula is called FORMULA for a reason—that is another topic, though…). I just kept offering the lame boob first without the shell, then with…if it was unsuccessful—I would switch him to the unlame boob. I would pump the other one. Every other feeding I would offer the lame one…if it didn't work—I would get up, walk him around after he calmed…and try again. After this so many times—he got it. He learned to latch on to both nipples—and now he is a pro (lol). I just wanted to tell that story because it is possible—if you want it. That goes for anything in life. Never give up, man. In the end—you will succeed. And you will feel damn good about it.

 

There are also things you can do to heighten your milk supply like certain herbs—Here is a website from Breastfeeding 101: Increasing Your Milk Supply. Drinking more fluids, eating a balanced diet… even prescriptions out there, too. Supplements, teas, and foods—many opportunities to help you give your milk supply a boost. There are also herbs that decrease your milk supply—sage, peppermint, and parsley.

Anyways, if you are reading this and are breastfeeding…or plan on breastfeeding contact a lactation consultant just to talk—get familiar with what's going on. La Leche League International is a great resource for breastfeeding questions of any kind. Find a local leader here to assist you in any questions or concerns you may have with breastfeeding.

The Feminist Breeder Blog's, When It Comes to Breastfeeding, We Can't Handle The Truth is the slap in your face truth about breastfeeding and that all women are basically being lied to. I love this entry. It really made me happy because it is exactly how I feel. Thank you TFB!!!!

 

Good luck to you and if you hear anyone say they didn't breastfeed or are nervous about breastfeeding—you tell them a story. Help them. And they will spread the news. Let's have the POSITIVE spread like wildfire…not the negative. The world would be a much better place. Really. It would be. J