Overcoming Challenges in Breastfeeding: A Personal Journey

With a challenging start and some barriers that seemed daunting, Sara shares her breastfeeding story, highlighting how certain factors can make a significant difference in achieving the breastfeeding experience you envision, along with valuable lessons learned. The support and guidance we receive can truly be pivotal.

Thank you, Sara, for your courage, generosity, and for sharing your story.

Hello, dear mom:

I would like to share my experience with you to give you confidence, strength, and encouragement if you are facing a situation similar to mine.

I had always dreamed of becoming a mother, and when I finally became pregnant, I immersed myself in reading about baby care and breastfeeding. However, I was filled with doubts and lacked confidence in my ability to breastfeed due to my past surgery: eight years prior, I had undergone breast augmentation.

After seeking information and consulting with midwives, I learned that the implants could affect milk production if any ducts had been altered during surgery, but they encouraged me to give it a try.

Months later, my beautiful baby, Sofía, arrived, eager to embrace the world. She was born via cesarean section, which is often associated with a more challenging start to breastfeeding and early contact. Despite the intense shivering I experienced after surgery, I immediately held my baby and brought her to my breast. Sofía latched on eagerly, and it was one of the happiest and most emotional moments of my life; I forgot that I had just come out of surgery. It was a precious experience.

During my recovery days in the hospital, I experienced significant pain while breastfeeding, despite following the recommended positioning and latching techniques closely. In my prenatal classes, midwives had emphasized that breastfeeding should not be painful. However, for me, the beginning was indeed very painful until things settled down months later.

Additionally, I encountered an experience in the hospital that nearly shattered my confidence. When I sought help for the pain I was experiencing, a nurse forcefully extracted colostrum without prior massage, causing me immense pain and leaving my breast even more sensitive for days. She later remarked that my surgery meant I likely had low milk supply. If I have another baby, I will not allow such rough treatment; I will know how to advocate for myself and will not permit anyone to touch me without prior consent unless it’s a medical emergency.

Later, when she brought me a bottle and fed it to my baby, she commented, “Look, she’s even holding the bottle herself because she’s so hungry,” as I watched my daughter eagerly finish the bottle. That moment crushed me inside. I held back tears, trying to stay strong, but I felt like I was falling apart.

Concerned about my baby going hungry, we began supplementing with bottles. Nevertheless, I always offered her the breast first for as long as she wanted; many feedings would last an hour or more.

Upon our discharge, we were advised to continue with mixed breastfeeding. My partner, noticing my distress from the pain and the recovery from the cesarean, sought support and found a group called La Liga de la Leche. Their wonderful volunteers provided invaluable assistance, and with my partner's unwavering support, I regained my confidence and achieved exclusive breastfeeding within just a few days of coming home.

So much so that in her first month of life, my baby went from 3 kg to 4.25 kg solely on my milk. As I write this, she is one week shy of three months and weighs 6.12 kg.

Therefore, mom, I want to tell you: trust yourself. In my case, to ease my worries, I weighed my baby about three times a week in the early weeks, then switched to once a week, always just in her bodysuit and freshly changed diaper. I also kept track of her daily wet and dirty diapers, ensuring she seemed content after feedings and allowing her to nurse as long as she needed.

Sometimes, what we need is not to give up, but to find reliable information, support, and someone to remind us that we are capable.

I hope my story helps you trust a little more in yourself, in your baby, and in your journey together.

Thank you very much