Tuesday, February 26, 2013

My Breastfeeding Story - Emma

As many of you know, when Carlee was born I fought fiercely to have the breastfeeding relationship that I had envisioned.   I spent many months feeling guilty, not enjoying whatever was left of that relationship and just simply like a failure.   I could not figure out how to fix this, nor did I know how to get help for this.  Until I found the local La Leche League, and a world of supportive moms full of knowledge to help guide me through examining what may have gone wrong with our first attempt as well as helping me prepare to try again with baby 2- Emma:)   They sat with me as I cried out my feelings and worked my way to a place of fight!  I would have a plan, and if at the end of that I still did not have a full supply then I would redefine what a successful breastfeeding relationship was and learn to enjoy what we had, whatever it looked like.

So, with Carlee I had a lot of pain latching which I later learned indicated a latch issue but I also had PCOS which is related to a lack of breast tissue growth in pregnancy for a small percentage.  It was impossible at this point to know whether one or both were responsible for my previous experience so I needed to prepare for both possibilities.

My plan:)
A variety of supplements and a network of women to help me address any latching issues that may arise, as well as the contact info for a well known breastfeeding guru - Jack Newman.   I knew this time around, at the end of the day I would have done all I could to give my daughter that relationship.

Then, Emma was born November 20th at 6:12 am in our guest bedroom with our wonderful midwives.  Big Sister Carlee got to be in the room as she woke up just before delivery having slept through everything up til then - and then went off to spend the day with a neighbour and give us some time to sleep and cuddle with Emma!   It was a beautiful start of just being in bed together nursing and sleeping the day away:)

Days passed and my mom took care of Carlee so I could just focus on letting Emma nurse as much as she wanted - all day and all night:)   We all held our breath as the day came that Carlee stopped gaining - I even called a friend and LLL leader to assure me that her latch looked good -  and we waited for the midwife to come assess how we were doing.

We watched impatiently as she took the sling and scale and put Emma in....and saw the numbers go up and up.....and it was confirmed!

Emma was gaining!  No, not just gaining - she was thriving:)

We were nursing like there was not even the possibility of a problem and no sign of any issues in sight. 

And that was it - no pumping, no herbs, no getting tongue ties cut or going on drugs...this time around I got to simply enjoy holding my baby and know that for whatever reason, this time my baby was surviving just off of me!

My beautiful girls:)
And here we are, three months in - loving it! 


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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Blessed Life

I don't do it each day, though I know I should - but today, I feel very very blessed :)  As anticipated, we welcomed baby girl #2 into our lives on November 20th - this time we had a home birth which was wonderful and made for a very relaxing transition to family of four.  Here is how our family looks with the newest little one!


                                                                                          Christmas 2012

This week my SIL welcomed her 2nd child and now we wait a few more weeks for my sister to welcome her 2nd child!!  I have visions of all these little cousins running around in a few years just like their older siblings are now!

Speaking of,  C turns 2 on Saturday...my little girl, the experiment;)  Now she is a fun loving, tantrum throwing, stubborn like her mama, beautiful, smart girl.  She is so no longer a baby which we are stunned by!  She loves to do puzzles, play dress up, serve tea with her new tea set, ring around the rosie, baths galore, and help mom in the kitchen whenever allowed.  She is learning that she can make decisions and test the boundaries which is all exciting and frustrating in one:)

Her 2nd birthday present? A trip to Florida!

Not really.

We were going anyways, but it was conveniently right before her birthday and since we met Oma & Opa there, she got to have a party at Chuck E Cheese! Spoiled little girl!  That and a week living in her bathing suit was heaven on earth in her eyes! Especially with two playmates to meet her there!  Wandering if Oma has recovered yet...

Anywho, we had a fantastic time!  Here's a glimpse:

Oma & Opa

Just like Oma

Chuck E Cheese!  
She only sits still so long...so she had a unique tan. 

E chillin' in the stroller, loving life.   Really!  She may look skeptical here, but she loved Florida. 

Daddy loved taking in the training grounds. 

E wasn't impressed. 
And now we are back shivering in the Ontario winter....spring's around the corner right? Brrr.

Moral of the story today? I got it good.  Real good;)

Debating coming back around here more often - will let ya know;)


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