What-ifs
I’ve started worrying about the what-ifs. What if the birth is difficult and the baby won’t be able to nurse? What if I have an emergency c-section and the baby can’t nurse right away? What if the baby doesn’t want to latch? What if the baby has tongue tie and can’t latch? What if the baby has food allergies I can’t eat anything? What if my milk doesn’t come in this time? What if Sam wants to start nursing again because the baby is nursing all of the time?
My experience with Sam, relatively speaking, was easy. He latched (badly) right after his birth and stayed latched until they had to kick me out of the delivery room more than an hour after his birth. Even though my milk took five days to come in he nursed around the clock and after we fixed his latch my nipples stopped looking and feeling like I’d taken a cheese grater to them. Despite the bouts of mastitis, the overproduction, and the weeks of discomfort, Sam was a nurser from day one.
I didn’t know what I was doing but I knew that I could feed my baby and that was enough to make me feel confident and competent.
Now there will be another child, a child that I’m already attached to, that needs my love and care. I won’t be able to focus all of my energy on feeding the new baby. What if I don’t have the energy to make breastfeeding work? What if I’m not as good as a parent?
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April 29th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever met a mother who didn’t have the same fears that you’re experiencing. But I’m confident that you’ll do just fine, Jackie, whatever your new baby’s personality and however Sam reacts.
May 5th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I’m sure it’s not going to be easy, not as easy as the first time because this baby isn’t the only child needing care, but I can promise you, you CAN do it. You’ll just need the support of everyone around you to help you pull through the tough times until you wake up one day and realize you are doing just fine in spite of all the what-ifs.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:40 am
You’ll be fine Jackie! These fears are normal - but you probably already know this.
Don’t worry about the emergency C-section option either; I had one with my first (knocked out cold with general anesthesia no less!) and was able to breastfeed no problem. We had a wonderful nursing relationship for over two years.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I had a c-section, slow milk, low supply, baby with reflux/milk sensitivity, and still nursed Piglet for a year! You can do it. I bet your second one will be even easier than the first.