Adventures in Breastfeeding: Its The Top Teeth That Will Get You!

I thought my daughter and I got past the teething issue while breastfeeding. Her two tiny pearly whites on the bottom are out and she has figured out not to bite the nipple that feeds you. All was going well. I thought I had mastered this breastfeeding thing. Then came the top teeth.

Honestly, its not her fault. Nothing has been in her way before. She knew how far to open her mouth to fit all she needed of my flesh to eat. But now there are two little barriers that are in the way. She isn't biting but as she pulls my nipple into her mouth she rakes my skin over those razor sharp brand new teeth. It still hurts! Nipples are tender! As much as people say that nipples toughen up with breastfeeding, they don't. They shouldn't have to if mom and baby are doing it right.

With the bottom teeth, the tongue covers those teeth. If baby doesn't bite then there isn't anything to worry about. But those top teeth, those don't have any buffer.

So, my advice to you new to breastfeeding moms out there. Be warned! Top teeth hurt too!

I found that my daughter wasn't opening her mouth wide enough to get the nipple past the top teeth. With any problem that arises during breastfeeding, its back to basics. Get baby to open up nice and big before latching. Even if baby has been doing well self latching. Until they learn to open up so not to scrape you with teeth then you may have to work on latching all over again.

Remember, breastfeeding shouldn't hurt. When it does, you need to fix something. Go back to the basics and figure it out or seek a lactation consultants help. Good Luck Mommas!

Adventures in Breastfeeding: Not a wimp!

I am so surprised at how well breastfeeding is going for me. When I talked to other moms about it before having Freya, it was really scaring me. Everyone talked about clogged milk ducts, scabed over nipples, and struggle with a painful latch. I was starting to question what I was getting myself into. Then I read online the rantings of moms in other countries, countries that don't shun breastfeeding.
They don't have theses issues typically. Why? Because it's the norm in their country. Because everyone's mom is breastfeeding, you grow up know how to breastfeed. They all said it shouldn't hurt and they don't understand what Americans complain about. Either we are wimps or we are doing it wrong.
Americans certainly aren't wimps so obviously we are doing it wrong. So when I had Freya and I wanted to breastfeed if it hurt I stopped. I through out the advice that your boobs have to" toughen up" and deal with the pain. I listened to the lactation consultant and pulled her off each time it hurt. If she got upset, I just rocked her and calmed her down before trying again. I asked for help those two days every time she wouldn't latch right after 3 tries. I have just accepted the pain.
Of course there are always issues like lip and lounge tie that will make nursing nearly impossible to feel okay, those babies won't latch comfortably and there is not much you can do. But that aside, I've learned you can't listen to other moms. Listen to a lactation consultant, they are speaking the truth when they say it shouldn't hurt.
I'm having a great time fom the very start nursing. Its so much easier than bottles. Especially during those exhausting hours at night. I just cuddle her next to me and we fall asleep together after she has passed out with a full belly. It's easier to leave the house, no need to pack bottles and formula.
However, there is a down side. You can't really do much without the baby. In the very beginning I felt like a dairy cow. All I did was feed her. I could barely get in a shower. Feedings took an hour, sometimes an hour and a half as she kept falling asleep. That only have me one hour to 30 minutes to do whatever I needed (including sleeping) before she was back to crying for more. But in the grand scheme of things it's a blink of as an eye how long that lasts for. This has calmed down and I'm very much used to feeding on demand. I didn't get a pump for a while so I had to do it all. If you pump your significant other can take a turn or two to give you a break. But even if not, you don't have to worry, you will find the time to sleep,shower,and clean your house (kind of).
Last weigh in at the doctors Freya was 10lbs and 12oz which she gained from 7lbs and 5oz which was her weight when we left the hospital. She gained that in 4 weeks! I'm impressed and its really reinforcing that we are doing something right.
I really do feel like this is the better choice for me. Though it doesn't make me regret formula feeding Morrigan. It just means I've done both and have a great perceptive of the differences and that this is a choice and it is all up to what the Mom is comfortable with.