Breastfeeding Concerns, Changes and Help 

I’ve always prided myself on being a studious reader. I’ve bought and borrowed many books on pregnancy and early infant needs, particularly on breastfeeding for the latter. I knew the hospital where my baby was being born was very supportive of breastfeeding, and as I was scheduled for a C section knew I would be in the hospital recovering for several days in which I would receive additional advice and training on breastfeeding. So, while I did not expect that there wouldn’t be any small issues or problems with breastfeeding, I expected it would go well in general after we returned home.

The first two nights home from the hospital went reasonably well including in terms of how well William settled down to get to sleep after eating. Sunday, was a whole different situation. Despite having been fed several times from my breasts, he kept crying in a tone we’d learned to identify as hungry. Since Dr. V had said it was possible that at times he would be seeking comfort more than food per se, we tried a few things to comfort  him. We introduced him to Sophie, a famous chew toy that many parents have declared is a must have for them. While it did temporarily distract him, it soon became clear he did not want that in place of food.

So though I’d been told not to give breastfeeding babies a pacifier until six weeks had gone by, we tried two of them and a teething ring. William did not want any of those, quickly spitting them out and then promptly resuming his hunger crying. So, though I’d sincerely hoped to not have to do so, especially with him so young, I found myself preparing him a bottle of Similac Optigrow formula.

We truly hoped this would be what William needed. I wasn’t even sure he would take a bottle, but he took to it instantly, hungrily sucking on the bottle and enjoying being fed formula.

My goals include my original one to be able to breastfeed him for at least a year, and my revised one to transition him to exclusive breastfeeding and pumped milk as soon as it is possible. I’ll have to work with his pediatrician and a Lactation Consultant, and I am confident we will reach these goals.

~ Danielle