Ekaterina's Story
My baby is now six and a half months old. I’ve only once given her formula milk and that was in the hospital two days after she was born. My milk hadn’t come in yet, the colostrum wasn’t enough for her and she was crying with hunger. The first month of breastfeeding for me was the most horrific experience and I wanted to give up at least five times. My nipples hurt so much from her constantly chewing them. The pain was unbearable. I’ll never forget how one morning my husband was leaving for work around eight o'clock, he came into the room and I was crying…from pain, from self pity, from helplessness. I told him “I wanted to but I can’t do this anymore.” And he said to me “I love you. Whatever you decide to do, I’m with you. ” But I couldn’t stop. Being a mother is not just about carrying the baby… I called a breastfeeding counsellor but I must say, I didn’t find it very helpful. She told me “your baby is tongue tied and she’s not latching on properly” My instincts told me otherwise and I didn’t call her a second time. I started to express milk from one breast and only feed my baby from the other one for two days. Then I swapped over and only fed her from the other breast for two days. The pain just disappeared! It was as if it had never existed. And now, six months later I can say that breastfeeding is the most wonderful feeling I have ever felt. And I feel sad and scared when I think about the day when I’ll have to wean her off! Ekaterina, 34, Varna, Bulgaria
For more information about the issues in this story click here: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a263/sore-nipples
Mama Eimi: I would like to add that breastfeeding counsellors do a wonderful job. Although in Ekaterina's case she didn't find their advice very helpful, I recommend every woman who has difficulty with breastfeeding to contact a voluntary counsellor. You can find your nearest one here: http://www.llli.org/webindex.html
