Besides the oodles of all-consuming love I have for my weeble, one of the things people don't tell you is how difficult physically being a mom is. This is hard physical labour, people! And there is no punch card for signing on and off the job here. You are on, and working it, 24/7.
This blog, along with my next few blogs will based on some of my discoveries as a new mom, both from a chiropractic and a new mom perspective. Hopefully some of you can relate to my experiences, and I hope to educate and prepare some of my expecting patients (both moms and dads) on what is in store for you, and how you can better prepare yourself - both with knowledge, and chiropractic remedies.
I have compiled a list of things that I like to call New Mommyitis. This is a cluster of symptoms directly resulting from being a new mom, when you are giving parenting everything you've got, and adrenaline is what is keeping you going. This is to prepare you for when the adrenaline wears off.
Today we are going to talk about breast feeding.
Of course, breast is best. The health benefits are endless, it is liquid gold for your little one. We all know this.
The 2 thing I wish someone had told me about breast feeding:
1. How difficult (read: painful) it was to initiate a breast-feeding relationship.
2. How looooooong breast-feeding actually takes in the early days (and lets be honest, months)
1. Holy Hanna this is painful
I am convinced a big reason why women give up on it is because they are just blown away at how painful it is, and how much time it actually takes for your little one to learn to feed and no one warned them before hand.
I was always asked if I was planning to breastfeed, but not once did someone sit down and say to me - please expect this to be like getting up off the couch without any previous training, and run a marathon. Full speed. Uphill. Against wind. Except instead of your legs that will be working, we are talking about your breasts.
Breast feeding is totally worth it for a million reasons - from the custom food your baby gets, to immuno-protective benefits you pass on to your baby. But moms and partners - the first 2 weeks are crazy mad hard.
This is paradox in life - anything in life worth having, is usually hard to get.
Looking back, I truly could not have done it without the support of my midwives, and my husband. Because I was definitely not expecting it to be as difficult as it was. My midwives were superstars - coming to the house daily, and checking in on me and baby. Most midwives are trained in lactation consulting - so I was always getting great techniques and having my technique corrected. However, if you do not have the priviledge of being under the care of a midwife - there are usually a host of lactation clinics at hospitals, as well as community groups like La Leche League, which has groups throughout Canada.
My recommendation:
Unfortunately there is nothing I can do in a chiropractic, or acupuncture capacity that is going to make this any easier. The best thing to do is know this is going to hurt like a @!#%!!. Being prepared mentally, I think, is half the battle.
During the first 2 weeks when breast feeding is the most difficult, the best thing to do is to remember why you are wanting to breastfeed your baby: the health benefits, the bonding, it is free! (formula costs a small fortune), you get to eat 500 more "free" calories a day (mmm like Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes), the links between a higher IQ and earlier language development, and lower incidence of all of the following:
- obesity
- asthma
- colic
- inner ear infections
- leaky gut
- allergies
- irritable bowel
- general colds and flus
Yes ladies, all attributable to breastfeeding.
I know this seems easier said than done when your toes are curling under and you gasping for a reprieve from an incorrect latch and sore and potentially cracked nipples (worst thing ever) - but this discomfort is temporary, and after you and your baby develop a rhythm (around 2 weeks it gets noticeably easier) you will be glad you did it.
A really great product I came across is aptly called Nipple Butter, by Earth Mama Angel Baby. It helps relieve your weary areolas with soothing organic products that are Lanoline-free and totally safe for baby.
Since you are probably walking around in a nursing tank (Bravado Nursing Tank) or nothing at all, another great trick is cabbage. Take 2 cabbage leaves and literally place them over each breast. This has been in use for literally centuries, and we think it has something to do with the sulphur in the leaf - this will help relieve any engorgement or mastitis, and the coolness of the cabbage (if it is directly from the fridge) is a welcome relief.
2. An Eternity in the Nursing Chair
The other thing about breastfeeding is, in the early days and weeks, once it is established, it take a loooong time, my friends. Your baby has to learn to latch, suck, and swallow - 3 entirely new skills! Before that they were treated to a 5 star hotel food whenever they needed it in utero. I remember being in that nursing chair for a good 45 minutes per feeding. Per. Feeding. People.
If we do a little back-of-the-envelope math, those little newborns are eating about 10 times per day, and with each feeding lasting 45 minutes, that is a sweet (drum roll please) 7.5 hours over the course of the day. Yes, your girls are now working full-time hours.
This time in the nursing chair trying to feed your new one includes leaning over trying to help the weebot latch, awkwardly winging your arm out to the side like a chicken wing trying to support junior's floppy head (baby books lovingly call this position the "football clutch"), or you can assume the Hunchback of Notre Dame's posture by completely collapsing your upper body and neck, crossing your arms over baby's body, and then then somehow weaving it under his/her head (commonly called the "crossover").
Welcome to Neckpain City. Would you like a side of Tension Headache with those super-sized Strained Muscles?
My recommendation:
Get the best quality nursing chair you can afford, and make sure it is comfortable! Sit in the chair for at least 10 minutes before you buy it!!
I have to admit, when we were shopping for nursery decor, I originally wanted a very sleek, and modern chair, but after sitting in it for 5 minutes, I found myself shifting my weight from side to side, and could not sit it in for more than 10 minutes. Not practical. There was a little pain in my heart to decide not to get this, but the Chiropractor in me knew better. I still went for a beautiful chair, but this one had loads of practical features, including an extremely comfortable seat, built in foot rest, and the ability to fully recline and take a nap.
Truly, this is not an investment you will regret. You are going to be sitting in that chair for many (many many many) months to come. Do not destroy your spine and joints by trying to skimp (or in my case convince myself I could make a good looking chair short on functionality work).
If you cannot afford a chair with appropriate back support, improvise. Products like the Back Vitalizer can be placed in the small of your back to provide an incredible amount of custom support. You can also try rolling up a towel, but I find this cumbersome, and not necessarily something you will want to do 8 times a day.
Next Time : Picking Up Baby : From the Crib, from the floor, from the highchair : do it right!
Be Healthy.
Dr. Stephanie
