Wishing I pumped sooner
I’m having a hard time processing/grieving for what could’ve been if I wasn’t so afraid of pumping earlier.
I had a lot of pain and my baby struggled to latch in the first 6-8weeks.
I was constantly told not to pump as it could lead to oversupply (by midwives, 2 lactation consultants, child & family nurses and Australian Breastfeeding Association). I had mastitis twice in the first 3 weeks. It wasn’t until week 4 when my baby’s weight gain slowed that It was suggested by the 3rd LC I saw that we triple feed and that I might have a low supply. So low I ended up going on medication. My baby and I both also got treated for Nipple thrush.
I can’t help but think that if I had pumped earlier it may have prevented the mastitis (which I think affected my supply somewhat) and my supply would be better.
I also feel the hospital didn’t help me so I hope this helps someone avoid the following experience…
I was pressured into giving her formula in hospital because although I had been breastfeeding her, I was told by midwives she wasn’t getting enough cause I had pain so therefore she had a ‘bad’ latch. I had already given her all the colostrum I collected in the weeks leading up to her birth. It wasn’t until my last day in hospital (I spent 3 days) that I realised the hospital had a pump- the only way I found out was because my sister told me most hospitals do. Not a single midwife thought to inform me. I always thought they didn’t inform me because colostrum would be too thick to pump and it could take a while for my milk to come in so they were waiting for me to ask for it.
I am now 13 weeks postpartum and only just discovered that the medela pump at the hospital had an attachment specifically for colostrum.
Edit: added context that I did breastfeed her in hospital but was told by midwives she wasn’t getting enough cause I had pain so therefore she had a ‘bad’ latch.