Breastfeeding is hard. That’s it. That’s the post.
No I’m kidding.
Breastfeeding a kid with PKU is inherently hard because he can’t do it all the time so I have to pump too. I hate pumping. That’s a different story for a different day.
Aside from that, breastfeeding can be really uncomfortable sometimes. Not necessarily painful because if it is painful, you likely don’t have a good latch if you’re past the first few weeks of life. What I’m talking about though is the discomfort of breastfeeding.
It’s really difficult when you are overwhelmed and touched out to then have a tiny human connected to you. Also, have you ever felt baby nails??? They are tiny little daggers. And when you get to the distracted phase and they start clawing at you it hurts more than a little. I keep this kid’s nails cut because if I didn’t I would look like I got attacked by a tiger only on my boobs. I went 2 weeks without cutting his nails and my boobs looked like a war zone from him pinching and scratching while he was eating.
The distracted phase also brings with it the abrupt disconnecting or turning their head with a nipple in their mouth. I don’t know about you. I may be built like a Pixar mom but I do not have the powers of Elastigirl that my boob can stretch across the room. It hurts. Again, its also really frustrating when you are touched out and breastfeeding anyway and then have them latch and unlatch every two seconds. It makes me so angry.
Not to mention that some people get intensely angry during letdown anyway. It’s called dysphoric milk ejection reflex, or D-MER. Can you imagine? And, like, it’s a baby, so it’s completely irrational because they don’t know better. And your mind knows that it’s irrational but you’re just, angry or sad for no logical reason.
My current situation: The distraction phase + first tooth poking through + plus a clog in both boobs that I can’t get out because he isn’t getting it out (distraction), and I can’t get it out with a pump (even Joe tried to help. Yes. He did. As any husband should do if it’s necessary in my personal opinion. You should want to help your wife if she is comfortable with you doing so to ease her discomfort. If you have an issue with that you should unpack that with a licensed therapist.) + overstimulation + pointy ass nails.
This kid has been yanking his head around and biting down because he’s distracted and GIRL (or boy) it hurts. He is clawing and pinching my skin because he’s distracted. I have clogs so there’s a lot of pulling and soreness already. It’s a time. I’m over it to be honest but the anxiety about starting him on solids with a low protein diet right now keeps me going. Low protein food is typically medical food so its expensive and then we have to start counting protein and phenylalanine (phe) and I’m not ready for it yet. I’ll get more into PKU and that scenario at a later date. In the meantime, send help.
What are some struggles you have had with breastfeeding and pumping. Share in the comments.
Sidenote: Go take that survey I posted a few weeks ago. It is also linked on the Contact page I believe. Thank you.
Bruised and Battered Boobs Signing Out.