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| VERONICA HENRI, TorontoSun.com, Oct. 5/10 pg. 3 |
I have faced many challenges with breastfeeding my baby but no matter what happens the payoffs always beat out the challenges.
Yesterday, we took part in the 6th annual Breastfeeding Challenge, at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts in Toronto. My friend Mel & I, with our babes Hunter & Madelyn, walked the Catwalk featuring styles from Evymama boutique in Bloor West Village. Following the fashion show, we joined hundreds of other moms in an International feed at 11am. Our loving hubbies were there to cheer us on. The whole event was pretty cool.
In talking to other moms at the event, it made me feel good to know a lot of the challenges I've faced are normal. At the beginning we also had some latch issues and had to really work at finding the best position (cross-cradle hold). From weeks 5 to 20 (last week) I have had numerous blocked ducts. That's when a bit of hard milk gets clogged and a whole bunch of new milk starts gathering up behind it. It's VERY painful. At one point, the blocks led to Mastitis (like a horrible flu), at another point Candidas (nipple infection). And, in the last two weeks I started having a supply problem, which was like getting kicked when you're already down. Luckily I have an incredible support team that's helped me through it all.
Maddy and I weren't the only ones to make the news. Mark, Mel & Derek were also featured in an online gallery photo. The above photo was taken during the 11am group feed.
In closing, I just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped me so far with bf: Mark, my moms & grandma, Jean, all of my mommy friends, and girlfriends without babies who are great listeners. It is the best gift I could be giving my daughter and it's so great to have your encouragement. THANK YOU.
I know all about the challenges... had blocked ducts (only from months 3-6, maybe there is hope for you!!!) and a bout of mastitis. I feel for anyone who has had mastitis, it is horrible to feel that sick and still have a baby to breastfed and take care of. On top of that, I had a baby who was always fussy at the breast and we never really got comfortable breastfeeding... that said, we still managed to do it for 11.5 months! Then she decided she had enough so I tried for 10 days to get her back on the boob with no luck.
ReplyDeleteThe benefits totally outway the challenges though - my daughter didn't have a cold until she was 11 months old. I loved the bonding and knowing she was getting the best nurition possible. Also, it beats cleaning out bottles everyday.
For anyone who is going to be breastfeeding for the first time - I highly recommend reading "Breastfeeding Made Simple" when you are about 8 months pregnant. It helped me alot.