Hey, everyone! So, Iβve been itching to share my birth story with you, but let me warn you, itβs not your typical fairy tale. Iβm going to skip the nitty-gritty details and dive into the parts we can all learn from. Trust me, itβs been a rollercoaster.
So, picture this β a long and winding hospital stay. It all kicked off with my water leaking. I had been a frequent visitor to the hospital, convinced my little one was making an early debut. This Monday, the nurses shrugged it off as not being the amniotic fluid. Fast forward to an early Saturday morning, and a doctor drops the bomb β I canβt go home due to the infectious danger of uncertain water loss since Monday. It was a bit nerve-wracking, having been dismissed so many times before.
After a considerable wait, around 7 pm, I finally snagged a bed. A doctor promised me a magical gel to help things along. Gel acquired, but not much action until morning. The wait for a birthing room felt like an eternity. Finally, I got one, along with two helpful nurses who pledged to assist with initiating labor. But, surprise! Emergency birth elsewhere, and they had to dash.
Around 2 pm, a new, bigger room β a consolation prize for the lengthy wait. They broke my water, and long story short, I was okay for a while. Then came the epidural; exhaustion had set in, and I couldnβt push any further. Monday morning brought the love of my life into my arms through a natural birth β an indescribable feeling.
But, here comes the twist. My little one didnβt want to latch onto my breast immediately. Not an hour later, not 2-3 hours later. I was ecstatic but faced troubles feeding my baby all day β tired, exhausted, and sad. It felt like my body had let me down. I tried pumping, extracting colostrum, but zero amounts. My baby was hungry, dehydrated, unable to latch, and turned jaundice.
The doctor suggested formula, a lifeline in a situation gone haywire. Yet, hereβs the kicker β they never mentioned alternatives to the bottle. Just told me, βBut if you give him formula from the bottle, Iβm not sure he will eat from the breast anymore. Itβs your choice,β and left me there. As a first-time mum, panic set in, and I opted for the formula, thinking it was the only lifeline. Little did I know, there were alternatives β a small spoon, a newborn feeding cup, or a syringe. Hours later, the medical team realised my baby had a tongue tie. In the midst of this whirlwind, my emotions swung from elation to despair and back again.
So, to all the mums out there, trust your instincts, ask questions, and donβt be afraid to challenge the experts. Birth is a wild journey, but we emerge stronger, battle-scarred, and ready for the adventure that is motherhood. Cheers to the chaos and the love that makes it all worthwhile.
So, there I was, facing the aftermath of the whirlwind that had been my birth story. The revelation about my babyβs tongue tie felt like a breakthrough, a solution to the struggles we had been facing. Despite the fix, I found myself in the hospital for an additional two days. During this time, it seemed like the issue had been resolved, and my baby started to feed from the bottle.
As the days passed, it became evident that my baby still hadnβt latched onto my breast since my time at the hospital. Returning home with my precious boy, I embarked on a mission to try everything in my power to encourage breastfeeding and increase my milk supply. Tea, pumping, lactation massage pads, skin-to-skin contact, breast nutrition, and even consulting with a breastfeeding specialist β I threw myself into every method available. Yet, despite my efforts, nothing seemed to work. A little bit of the opposite to say: I noticed some changes when I used a pump and focused on breast nutrition, but I still couldnβt pump out more than 70 ml a day.
I will create a list of the things I tried because what didnβt help me doesnβt mean it wonβt help you. I received numerous tips from my friends, and those worked for them. Do not give up. I never did. You can find the link along with information about baby feeding accessories.
CLICK HERE LINK TO THE FEEDING ACCESSORIES
Desperation led me to seek guidance from a visiting nurse who, upon hearing my concerns, suggested that my babyβs tongue tie might still be an issue. Following her advice, I sought the help of a specialist who confirmed that the previous procedure might not have been entirely successful. Another cut was needed to free my little oneβs tongue, allowing him the freedom to latch onto my breast.
Finally, there was progress. He could latch, but there was a catch β he became somewhat lethargic about feeding. The convenience of the bottle had spoiled him, and I found myself in a constant struggle between breast and bottle feeding. This marked the beginning of what I now fondly (or not so fondly) call my nightmare with baby bottles.
The next chapter of my journey delves into the challenges, triumphs, and perhaps a few comical mishaps as I navigated the world of baby bottles. Stay tuned for the continuation of my story, where the quest for the perfect bottle became a saga of its own. The highs, the lows, and everything in between β itβs all coming your way in the next instalment. Keep those eyes peeled!
