Post-Nursing Depression!

Well, after nine months of exclusively nursing Eleanor, she is ready to stop! She, not necessarily me! I would happily go on to the year mark, but she is only nursing a few minutes at a time, then gets distracted, then is hungry later. So, I think it is time to wean. This process is making me hormonal, emotional, and a wee bit depressed. Actually, really depressed. This (most likely) will be my last baby, and the special bond that we have together is coming to an end. I feel proud and lucky that I did get to nurse her this long, and if you have tried breastfeeding, you know it is not always easy.



I wanted to share several things that made nursing her easier and more comfortable. Maybe I can help moms-to-be or future mommies out! Lord, don't we need all the help we can get!

1. Boppy pillow: you must have this. I don't know how women have nursed babies through eons of time without this pillow.
2. Soothies: they may give you these in the hospital, but if not you can purchase them at CVS. They are gel pads that help you get over the initial soreness. They are miracles!
3. Lansinoh Lanolin: I used this about a month before the baby was born to "condition" and after for several months every time I took a shower.
4. Bravado nursing bras: This is the best $45 I've ever spent! They have support, but no underwire (which is a no-no for nursing because it can constrict milk ducts), light shaping pads that are removable, easy-to-do clasps and cups that come all the way away from the breast for easy feeding. I bought two and they blew every other bra I had out of the water! They are available at maternity specialty stores, but also at Target.com.
5. Medela Electric Double Breast pump: There are a couple of styles, but I bought the freestyle pump. This thing is magic. It allows you to pump all the milk you need to, no problem. If I had been working full time, I still would have breastfed because I had this marvelous pump. It helped me through engorgement, working part time, and any time I had to be away from the baby at all. A suggestion: if you purchase any pump, purchase one through your hospital's lactation department instead of a chain store. You will not only support a much needed service, but if you have any problems at all they can give you customer support, which a retail store can't.

A few words of advice concerning breastfeeding:

It is MUCH harder at the start than you could ever imagine. Try not to get discouraged. Even if you plan to go back to work right away, you can breastfeed in some capacity, even if you have to supplement with formula. If you "power through" the first few weeks, it will become infinitely easier. The first six weeks are full of engorgement, leaking milk, erratic schedules, tears on both sides, and definitely sleepless nights. Not a lot of fun, but if you make it past that, it gets so MUCH easier. After a few months, 3-4, your breasts do not fluctuate as much, you don't have to wear breast pads anymore, and your life approximates normal once again. Also, if breastfeeding doesn't work, or you can't do it anymore, don't feel guilty. As long as you gave it a chance, your baby will still get the nourishment they need from formula just fine.

I cry a lot because I will miss my baby snuggling up next to me (and probably because my hormones are out of whack right now, too). I feel like I'm giving up something precious, but I guess all babies have to "grow up" sometime. I wish they didn't do it so fast, though.