Friday, July 18, 2008

Breastfeeding (Don't Worry--No Pictures!)

Because of both my fear and my determination to research out everything, I have registered for every single baby-related class offered by Duke Hospital over the next month. We are still in the middle of our Prepared Childbirth Course and we are going to Baby Care and Infant CPR in August. Last night, it was all about Breastfeeding Your Baby.

I was really glad to have gone this one all by myself; Adam was at home cramming for the bar and so he missed the exciting video about cracked nipples and the demonstration of how to express your own milk if you are engorged. Our teacher had a stuffed pillow made to look like a breast ("Where can I get one of those?" one of the dads asked), complete with a pull-away casing that allowed you to see all of the ducts and glands beneath, that she demonstrated everything on. Then we were asked to practice different nursing positions with a fake baby over our shirts. Good times. But I really can't say I'm feeling a lot more confident about the fact that I seem to be pretty much just Charlotte's 24-7 dairy and diaper changer for the first couple weeks of her life.

I'm now wondering: How do you other moms out there prevent yourselves from going insane during that first little while?

4 comments:

Julia said...

I learned how to nurse with one arm while I sat and read a book (or watched tv). Depending on how long she will nurse it could take up to an hour at a time so reading helped me pass the time. If you have a boppy type pillow it makes it a lot easier to have one arm free.

nickle said...

pillows can help, unless you get too large and have to hold breast back so they can breath. Watching movies helps. I lived in the bedroom for a while. But my boys always ate pretty fast. After talking with our doctor, they only need about 15 minutes per side to get all the milk out. But the burps can talk the hardest to get out. But I won't trade a moment. Teagan loved to snuggle up while he nursed. Alex was also that loving. it is a wonderful time, breastfeeding, knowing that before I know it they will be grown up before I know it.

Ryan and Megan said...

yeah they are kinda like water guns(except the whole breast milk thing). It's great fun. (note the sarcasm). You can get these cup things that fit on your boob and kinda express the milk into it if you get tooooo... well you know... pop. Also get a comfy nursing bra, totally worth all the money in the world. haha
I did formula and breast feeding from day one and i would never do it any other way however i only lasted four months so good luck with that. Maybe you are a better women than me...

p.s.
i want to see the latest pics of that cute baby bump.

Alena said...

There's no prevention...you just go a little insane. :-)