How did this happen?
I had tried many times, to no avail, to get help from Kaiser. They'd continued to schedule me with a nurse practitioner, who was nice, but wasn't getting the job done. She'd taught me how to use a nipple shield (TERRIBLE) and promised to help me to get Bug to breastfeed without it, but never followed through with scheduling an appointment. Bug was able to use the nipple shield well at first, but within days, she was gumming the end of my nipple causing quite a bit of pain. I quit using it and went back to pumping and bottle feeding.
After reading everyone's posts on support last week, I realized that I needed to push a little harder to get some support for me and Bug. I attended my first La Leche League meeting last Thursday in hopes that I'd be able to find an LC that could help us out.
What ended up happening was the group went around discussing the benefits of breastfeeding and I burst into a big teary mess. I didn't just cry, I broke down into hysterics to the point where I couldn't even explain why I was crying. I finally managed to get out a few sentences explaining the problem, and was met with overwhelming support, which of course made me cry more. Stupid post pregnancy hormones.
They suggested an LC who worked with WIC, a program that helps with the nutritional needs of low income pregnant and breastfeeding women. I never thought to look to them for help because I don't qualify as low income. However, they provide lactation support to all women, regardless of income.
The minute I got home, I called and requested to speak with this LC who I was told could help anyone and found out that she could only provide service to people living within the county where they are located. I live 2 miles over the county line, and therefore, didn't qualify.
More tears.
Apparently, this was the perfect time to call Kaiser. I cried to the advice nurse who helped me get in touch with lactation support. Within an hour, someone called me back. I was scheduled for the first available appointment the following Tuesday.
And guess what?!?! Within minutes of meeting with Barbara, my new LC and personal hero, Bug had latched. She showed me how to recreate the latch.
And she has done it every time since. HOOOORRRAAAYYY!
I don't think I've ever been so proud, relieved, excited, you name it. I can't tell you how wonderful its been.
Don't get me wrong, its incredibly awkward as she refuses to open her mouth wide enough most of the time. We have a long way to go, but for the first time I feel like we are well on our way.
Four weeks after Bug was born, to the day, we learned how to breastfeed.
Hooray!!! I'm beyond excited for you and Bug!!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! I am so glad you had that whole string of events (and well timed tears) that led to the exact person you needed. Way to go!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy for you!
ReplyDeleteFor the wide open part...I had some issues with that too. One tip I was given was to massage at the back of the jaw prior to feeding. I'm not entirely sure how it works..but it often helped (not always though). An LC told me that sometimes babies turned the wrong way for part of (or all of) labor/delivery don't get enough pressure in all the right places as they come out. I had back labor up until shortly before she crowned.
Darcy @ Tales From the Nursery
Darcy, I'll give that a try. She was able to do it well when she was born, but couldn't suck because of her tongue. Now she's gotten used to bottle feeding.
ReplyDeleteAHHH! This is fabulous! You certainly earned a rough start award!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up again for this weeks blog hop!
I just found your blog and became your newest follower. Wanted to say hi! :)
ReplyDelete