Living My Life A Hour and Fifteen Minutes At A Time

Testing out the bottle from around weeks 7-10 was an epic failure. At one point she did latch on and take a few sucks while I was holding the bottle. But having ME feed her kinda defeats the purpose of using a bottle now doesn't it? We tried off and on for a few weeks, trying many different bottles, positions, times of day. I would always leave or hide in the hopes that she wouldn't smell me. Rooster was never able to get her to feed.

In 2008 with Chicken Little I returned to work after 10 weeks maternity leave. I returned only part-time, working two 3-hour shifts per week. Because of this, we had consistent reason for working on bottle training him. With Chicklett... we don't have a real reason. I'm perfectly happy nursing her all the time, and waiting until she's older and ready to be without me (and boob) before I start having a life outside of the home. Depending on the timing, I'm not even really tied to her all the time. She is extremely consistent with napping, which has allowed me plenty of opportunity for weekend fun... in 1 hour and 15 minute segments at a time. Megz thinks its ridiculous and hilarious... but it is working quite well for us!

Basically, there are two times everyday where I can nurse Chicklett and then dash out the door for fun. Drive time included I have about 2 hours of free time, which allows me 1 hour and 15 minutes of fun. I can go out shopping, get my hair done, grocery store, brunch with friends, anything I want to do. Then go home, nurse Chicklett again, and go out for more fun. It's a bit like a relay race, but we're all happy so who cares.

Typical Schedule:

Wake Chicklett up at 8:30am

Nurse at 9am & 10am

Nap 10:15am-12:15pm

Nurse 1pm & 2pm

Nap 2-5pm

Nurse 5:30 & 6:30

Nap 7pm-7:30pm

Nighttime 8:30pm

For an emergency situation I know that Megz or Mama Christa would happily nurse my baby in a heartbeat. I have learned to accept that Chicklett is probably never going to get a bottle. We're about 2 months away from starting some solids, and by then she may even be able to handle a sippy cup. We're over the hump, and being away from my children really isn't a priority in my life. When I need a break, 1 hour and 15 minutes is more than enough.

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 3 - Lack of Support

#3 Lack of Support - Whether it be from a spouse, extended family, doctors, etc. They can be your best friend or your worst enemy. At any hiccup in the process it is very easy for well-knowing folks to just throw out the F word... you know... Formula. If your baby is nursing "too much" or you seem "too tired". There it is... Formula. "It's okay honey, you tried..."

Someone suggesting formula at just the "right" time to an overly exhausted and frustrated mama could lead that breastfeeding relationship down a slippery damaging slope. Something that others don't realize is that breastfeeding IS the lazy way. Nothing to sterilize, clean, or heat up. Expose and insert... that's it. Let your partner/family/friends know ahead of time that formula is not an option and should not be suggested to you at any point. You being tired is not going to be fixed by giving the baby a bottle of formula. It comes with the territory of having a newborn, and it is hopefully a short period in your life as baby will start to sleep longer periods naturally once they are ready for that step.

Breastfeeding is an art form. Every breastfeeding relationship is different, and it takes time and effort to find a good rhythm.

One thing that really gets my goat is so called professional doctors with lack of support. Do you know how much training a doctor receives on breastfeeding in their 8 years of college education? Something along the lines of 2 hours is what I have heard. Ouch. Yeah, is this someone you really want to rely on for information? Granted, some doctors have had plenty of experience outside of their education either by having children of their own or just making the extra effort to know about it. Dig around... find yourself a good one. I have even had and heard of bad experiences with LC's (lactation counselors and consultants). I'm not sure if places are just short staffed, people are burned out on their job, or it's just a lack of listening skills since people feel like they've been asked the same question thirty times a day - but once again there are good ones out there. Even if the advice you've been given seems good... I'd still ask around to other forums. There is usually more than one way to do something, and the more people you ask the more ideas you will get. I don't mean to get down on professionals, but like any job... there are people who are good at their job and ones that should maybe seek other employment opportunities. :)

Solution: During pregnancy contact your local Le Leche League and start attending meetings. Find other local or online groups of breastfeeding mothers/families so you have a great resource for those inevitable questions. And you seriously want to get these resources and relationships built BEFORE you deliver your baby and find yourself having problems. Many people are in a volunteer position, and as much as they love breastfeeding... they are human and your cries for help might get lost in an overfilled email inbox. Having that personal relationship with a knowledgeable support person is going to help make sure that someone quickly responds to your cries for help should they arise.

And, in my opinion most importantly, always get a second opinion and never give up. Even if the advice sounds right - still get second opinions. There are so many variables and multiple correct answers. But, it is extremely rare for a woman not to be able to breastfeed, but in the beginning there can be some hurdles. They are well worth jumping over, I promise!

Be sure to check out:

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 1 - Visitors & Helpers

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 2 - Comfort Levels

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 3 - Lack of Support

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 4 - Scheduled Feedings

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 5 - Fear

Early Breastfeeding Obstacles Part 6 - Cluster Feeding & Growth Spurts