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Breastfeeding Modified – Anne’s story

Posted on November 19, 2008
Filed under: Expressing, Latch problems

Breastfeeding was always the plan. I thought I was prepared. I took the class, bought the books, researched the best pump; I was ready. What I wasn’t ready for was a little girl who couldn’t latch, cried when I tried to feed (she was later diagnosed with reflux) and a small hospital with 12 births that weekend, 11 of whom were breastfeeding. Needless to say the LC was stretched thin and I never got 5 minutes with her. I went home completely defeated but still determined that my little girl would be breastfed. Determination soon turned into frustration for not only me but also my daughter. I was just about ready to give up when I remembered my well researched, expensive breast pump. My saving grace! I hooked that baby up and started pumping. My first time yielded 4 oz out of each breast! I now realized that I didn’t have to give up on my dream and plan to breastfeed my daughter, I only had to modify it. I decided that if actual breastfeeding wasn’t going to work for us then I would do the next best thing and exclusively pump. I started myself on a very strict schedule of pumping for 20 minutes every 3 hours; even through the night. Everything I read told me that exclusively pumping was impossible and there was no way I could keep up my supply. I wasn’t going to let that happen. Soon, I established an amazing supply; a fridge and freezer stock pile and a little girl gaining weight right on track. After a month or two I was able to stop pumping at night and take myself down to pumping every four hours during the day. Each pumping session would give me anywhere from 6-12 oz. Sure, it wasn’t always convenient but I knew I was doing what was best for my daughter and that made it all worth it. I hope this story helps others to know that just because breastfeeding doesn’t work doesn’t mean you have to give up. I was able to exclusively pump with no problems and my daughter is now a happy and healthy 2 year old.