My newborn baby breastfeeding experience
Since I might not call myself a breastfeeding advisor I would just give you a few insights from my own experience.
When I was pregnant with my first daughter I thought I wanted to breastfeed her when she was born.
Thus it started with my decision to feed my baby with my own milk.
The beginning wasn't the easiest as I thought, but with the help of a nursery provider (kraamverzorgster) we managed to get the milk flowing within a week. I remember using the cold cabbage leaves in my bra to cool the swollen mammary glands.
It was a kind of satisfactory feeling of total relaxation and surrender during our latching times.
But there was also that kind of tabu side to it, what to do in public and what to do when eventually returning to the office? And how long should I breastfeed? I observed many prejudices there. I was a first time mom and it seemed to me that everyone was giving me advice on these matters. Luckily I'm stubborn and did it my own way. But it wasn't so easy, because the nugging voices from the outer world were constantly in my head. Now I wish I would never allow them to come to my mind. So what did I do? I gave 16 months of breastfeeding to my baby daughter. I stopped because I was already pregnant with my second baby and my nippels started to be very sensitive.
The flow of milk with my son went just like when you turn on the water tap. My nursery provider (who spent a week here) was so surprised because he was putting on his weight from one day to the other. He latched in for 5 minutes and was all the way happy and satisfied. I also told my husband that with my second baby I'm going to listen to my own intuition and will never question that. Easily said, but it was never easy.
And finally with my third baby, my second daughter we enjoyed our moments until she was 3 years old.
Even when I was a week away in Italy to visit my sister who just gave birth to twin baby boys, the first thing my daughter did was to find my boobs.
The breasts were for soothing the pain, sadness and in this way they were falling aspleep for years. I disobeyed the book manuals that they are not supposed to fall asleep while eating. Bet breastfeeding is not only about eating. My babies were fed also during the nights so I didn't sleep properly the entire night for many years. Few times I experience mastitis during the breastfeeding period.
I have a humble respect for my body to be able to provide the food for my babies.
In no way I would judge moms who can't breastfeed, do it just shortly or decide not to, The formulas are perfectly balanced and give all the needed nutriotions.
If you need any advice on breastfeeding, please contact your midwife, maternity provider (kraamverzorger) or the breastfeeding center in your nearest city.
During the newborn photoshoot the baby will be in need of feeding. These moments are so very special, that you can only realise when they are gone. If you want, with loving attention we will preserve for you latching moments with your newborn baby. As the nurse said the other day during the photoshoot: She has already seen so much and is perfectly used to it.
