Breastfeeding Chronicles, Part 1

Cora arrived March 4th, 2014 with a bang...or splash? I'll post her birth story for the five people that want the deets someday when I'm sleeping a little more regularly.  I know that post is not for everyone and neither is this one. BUT THERE MIGHT BE A MOM OUT THERE THAT NEEDS TO HEAR THIS! So, if I can help even just one person from this post, it's worth it. 

I am a pretty stubborn person so when I committed to breastfeeding I meant that I would do any and everything to accomplish that goal for the sake of my daughter.  At 2 months now, we have not had it easy.  From the get-go she couldn't latch so with the help of lactation consultants we hand expressed the colostrum and gave it to her by a spoon. She continued struggling with the latch so we reverted to the nipple shield.  I was very thankful for these things because my daughter was getting what she needed; she was getting what was best for her, despite the annoying interventions.  We had to use the nipple shield every. single. feeding. for 2 weeks until I became tired of it always falling off, always filling up, always spilling everywhere.  It was time to wean Cora from the nipple shield.  This was very challenging because she needed it in the first place.  I consulted a lactation specialist and she said if we were going to do it, we had to quit cold turkey.  There were feedings where it took us 15 screaming minutes to get her latched, and not well mind you.  She would come off repeatedly and continue crying and nurse very panicky.  She would push off of me and cry. Not to mention the problems I have faced with breast infections, plugged ducts, and low milk supply.  If I wasn't so doggone stubborn, I would have given up.  But we persisted..

She became colicky at about 3 weeks.  The crying was constant.  Some days she wouldn't be awake 5 minutes without crying unless she was nursing.  It usually started getting worse in the early afternoon and would eventually subside (some) by midnight to 2:00 am. We were being worn thin.  And the breastfeeding was still challenging and I was still in pain.  We tried everything- gripe water, gas drops, Gerber colic drops, probiotics, herbal tea, nursing her in an upright position, tummy and foot massage, and warm water bottles. Some of these helped a little every now and then, but I know that they have been successful for others.  You might also try them if you are having difficulties? We found that sometimes the swing will calm her down (THANK YOU LORD).  I quit eating dairy at about 7 weeks and we think that is helping- some.  We took her to the chiropractor after hearing that they can sometimes help colicky babies and babies with reflux, which we found out from her pediatrician that she also has like many babies do.  The adjustment seemed to help the amount of crying.  She would actually be awake and not crying for short periods of time- seemed strange, although quite pleasant to us. Thankful for that relief for her.  It did not, however, solve all of our problems... 

WHY IS BREASTFEEDING SO BLANKIN HARD? 

At 2 months I am still having to hold her head and my breast and drag my nipple into her mouth and hold it all there while she nurses...she continues to come off and on and she makes a clicking noise, gasps for air, chokes, screams, pushes off, etc.

The chiropractor made a passing remark about her possibly being lip-tied. Lip-tied? What the? So.....Google.  Turns out she has all of the symptoms, go figure. Lip-tied, y'all! If you're having difficulties with breastfeeding or even with your baby taking a bottle or pacifier get your baby checked for tongue and lip-tie. Sometimes pediatricians don't even know about it, it is something that pediatric dentists and lactation consultants should be familiar with. I read a lot about it from this awesome mom blogger, Heather from Mommypotamus, here and here.

Guys, that's her.  She must have it.  

Consultation scheduled with the dentist for this Friday am.  If she needs treatment, which involves a laser, they would do it same-day.  Supposedly she may be able to nurse problem-free immediately after the procedure.  This could change things, could change everything. I am hopeful for answers and a solution. 

Please pray with us that it would help her. That if she does have it, they can fix it and help her and us.  This lip-tie is something that could potentially cause her problems down the road as well.  I can't wait for Friday to get here. 

from humbled hands, 

Jessie