There are a lot of things you hear from other moms about breastfeeding. Lots of “tips” and “advice”. I heard over and over again that it would hurt. I didn’t hurt. It was like MY NIPPLES WERE ON FIRE AND ABOUT TO EXPLODE AS TEARS IMMEDIATELY CAME DOWN MY FACE HURT. That kind of hurt. And there are some things that you only know about from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Here are 7 things that I wasn’t prepared for:
1. Nipple Shields. Had to use one with my first baby. Why the heck are they CLEAR? Your baby is screaming his head off and you can’t find the darn nipple shield to feed your child because it’s CLEAR. Dumbest part of the invention.
2. Spraying. We all know that air drying is a must when adjusting to breastfeeding. It helps the healing process. But there’s just something a little awkard about watching milk spraying over onto your husband’s arm. It’s quite romantic.
3. Nursing Bras. I was told before I had my baby to “wait” until he was born to buy nursing bras because I really won’t know what size I’ll be until after he’s born. Well, he was born. My milk came in. I NEEDED a nursing bra. ASAP. I needed to be able to unclasp my bra and fold it down (tuck under the boob) so that I could nurse. I’ve nursed 2 kids (still am) and still can NOT find a supportive one that actually FITS. They seem to be too small, yet when I buy a bigger size they are too big. And they’re not made to cover your nipples!! Maybe I just don’t know about the “perfect nursing bra” out there. If you know of it, PLEASE let me know. Does anyone else hate these nursing bras as much as I do?
4. Examine your nipples. Yes, take some time every now and then to fully examine your nipples. Are there blisters? Are you BLEEDING? There’s nothing scarier than watching your six month old spitting up blood 3 times in one morning. And then nothing more embarrasing than finally checking your nipples after the ER doctors have performed EVERY test they can on your child and seeing….you guessed it, blood. Never been discharged from the hospital more quickly. And then I was immediately banned from ER trips by my husband.
5. Boogers. Your own. You will be peacefully nursing your child into a deep milk coma until, all of the sudden, your child’s lovely POINTER FINGER goes straight up your nose for some exploration. That’s also when you start breathing out of your mouth instead.
6. Biting. Biting hurts. Of course it does when they get teeth. But man, those late teethers who only have gums, GUMMING HURTS! They take that chomp, you react, they give you that suprised/confused/ridiculously adorable look. You never know when the first bite will occur. So even if you’re warned, you never know when.
7. It is the most bonding experience you will ever have with your baby. It’s the closest you get to them. The most they will be comforted. There’s nothing like it and nothing that can replace it. So regardless of the sacrifices, it will ALWAYS be worth it.
Is there anything about breastfeeding that nobody warned you about? Comment below!
