Just the Nine of Us

Just the Nine of Us

Friday, March 26, 2010

Breastfeeding Woes

Today started out pretty bad with the breastfeeding. I had noticed about every 2-3 days it would just really, really hurt. Like BAD. I also noticed some other things that concerned me like redness and burning on me between feedings, and a rash on Rosemary's bottom. I googled it and suspected I had a yeast infection. So, I loaded the kiddoes up and off to A Nurturing Moment we went. I prayed on the way there that a lactation consultant would be available, and praise the Lord for Glenni Lorick! She was there! As soon as she looked at my breasts she confirmed that I indeed had a yeast infection and, after asking me a few other questions, that I have some other syndrome that starts with an R and has to do with my circulation but that causes "tenderness" in the breasts. While I had The Lactation Goddess there with me, I asked for a consult with Rosemary. She watched us nurse, and noticed that Rosemary's tongue was not coming all the way out like it should. She showed me some physical therapy I could do with her to help pull it out. Almost immediately I could feel the difference in her latch. Amazing!! Glenni was so good with Maggie and Penelope, who were vying for Mommy's attention. And she was really neat to talk to. She was so encouraging and helpful. She called Dr. Kakani's and Dr. Horton's offices and got both Rosemary and me on antibiotics and a natural topical cream. A really cool thing I got to do was use the baby scales to see how much Rosemary was taking in during feeding. Before nursing, she weighed 7 lbs 15 oz. (a whole pound more than our last doctor's visit! woo hoo!) After nursing on one breast, she was 8 lbs 1 0z. After nursing on the other side, she was almost 8 lbs 3 oz. So my girl was taking nearly 4 oz at a feeding! That really comforted me to see with my own eyes that she was getting plenty. When I left ANM, my breasts were burning and I was already dreading the next painful feeding. I called Brian, hoping he could tell me whether I should push through the next day or two of painful feeding until the yeast goes away, or give up and stop nursing. Of course he wouldn't tell me what I should do. :) I was still on the fence when Rosemary and I went to the Mom's Meeting at church. . .

Brian goes to Men's Fraternity at church every Thursday night, and every other Thursday night I meet with other moms at the same time. It felt good to tell my girlfriends about the infection and get encouragement/understanding from them. Then we had a special speaker who homeschools her four kids and talked about applying the Gospel to our parenting, which as really cool. I nursed Rosemary during that and it already felt much better. Then Brian came to get me and we had another hour until the sitter was expecting us, so we were able to sit in the car and talk. His session had been about dads and daughters. He told me about the Biblical definition of a woman and we talked about how we want to teach our girls this definition because it goes against everything the world will tell them defines a woman. We recognize that it was no accident God gave us FOUR GIRLS with the assignment to grow them into women. We will have to make a conscious effort to surround them with true Biblical feminine values and focus on the qualities of the heart more than the outer appearance. Then he really made me cry talking about how much he appreciates me. :) He thanked me for choosing to stay home with our kids over having a career. He told me how beautiful I am without makeup, without fancy clothes, without jewelry. And I really believed it. :) I thank God for a man who appreciates such things. He was sharing with me what Men's Fraternity had defined as a woman, and one was "nurtures the next generation." I know that doesn't necessarily mean nurturing physically, and doesn't necessarily mean through breastfeeding, but that gave me so much motivation to keep nurturing Rosemary through breastfeeding, and nurturing the others physically with healthy foods, and also mentally, emotionally, and leading them to the One who can nourish them spiritually. And you know what? Rosemary and I are already feeling much, much better. :)

Thank You Heavenly Father for a man who loves what You love. Thank You for the ability to care for my kids. Help me to do it well!

4 comments:

  1. keep it up girl! You are doing great!

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  2. You are doing awesome!! Call if you ever need encouragement. It isn't easy but you can do it!

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  3. Praise God that He put all of these wonderful women in your life to encourage and support you. And, of course, your awesome husband as well!!!! You're doing such a great job! Yeast is truly a beast, but it can be conquered! You're an awesome Mama!

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  4. How exciting that she's gaining so much weight! Remember those good things when you're having a hard time - you really are doing a fantastic job! Please call me if you ever have any questions!!!

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