World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated between August 1 and 7, and from Babies and More we are echoing it with different articles and videos that the encourage, defend and protect. And, although we all know the multiple benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby, there is still much work to do and many myths to tear down.
It is important to make it visible and be honest, showing the many facets that we can find. Because when everything goes well, breastfeeding is wonderful, but in some cases it is not easy and talk about it and seek help, it can help us convert the experience in one of the most beautiful of motherhood.
I have three children and three stories of breastfeeding; Some good and others less good. Today I would like to share them all, because I think it’s important make visible the stories in which things don't always come out as a wait, since speaking naturally and without taboos of our experiences, can support many mothers.
My first breastfeeding: breastfeeding a baby with APLV
Pregnant of my first child I never considered another way to feed her that was not breastfeeding. It was one decision that was born from my own instinct So I did not conceive of other options. However, it was not until my baby was born that I realized that instinct was not enough to overcome the obstacles that were presented to us.
Cesarean section, absence of skin with skin and separation for three hours of my baby. When they took me to the room, the post-surgical pain was so insurmountable that it was difficult for me to find a position to breastfeed comfortably. All this together with the little chest I have and the null help received by the healthcare staff, they turned the first days of breastfeeding into a hell of cracks and pain.
My baby started losing weight in a loud way and on medical advice we had to support breastfeeding in formula bottles. Days after starting mixed breastfeeding, my baby developed allergy to cow's milk proteins (APLV).
Breastfeeding a baby with APLV is possible but it requires a lot of professional help, support and information, something that eight years ago was not easy for me to find. Contradictory information, false beliefs and breastfeeding groups where nothing was still heard about this food allergy in infants, caused a lot of dent in me.
The bad health of my baby and the not knowing how to deal with this situation It surpassed me, and I decided to leave. Our breastfeeding barely lasted two and a half months and although at that time I made the firm decision of what I was doing, with the time and information in my hand, I learned that I could have continued.
My second lactation: subclinical mastitis, cracks and milk pearls
Pregnant with my second daughter I studied everything that fell into my hands about APLV in infants to know how to deal with the problem if it presented itself to us again. However, I found something about what I had not read: the sublingual frenulum.
My girl was born with a bridle that made the grip very difficult but that he was diagnosed with four months, after a long time of pain and suffering. The cracks and the pearls of milk accompanied me from the first shots, but what really got worse were the countless subacute mastitis I suffered
I went to the emergency room several times broken by pain, but there was no fever, no hardening of the breast, no redness, so I was discharged without any diagnosis or solution.
Little is known or talked about subacute mastitis but the pain is terrible and the impotence of not knowing what to do or who to go to made it even harder. That's when I went to a breastfeeding group and the advice of the advisors and the experiences of other mothers helped me to move forward with a lactation with which, until that moment, I dreamed of abandoning.
My tenacity and the unconditional support of many people were key to moving forward with strength and positivism. And step by step, month after month, we reach 13 months of breastfeeding.
My third high-risk pregnancy, with contractions and rest, forced us to leave even though weeks ago my daughter had already begun to wean herself.
My third lactation: submucosal frenulum and multiple allergies
I faced my third lactation with a strength and empowerment hard to describe I was convinced that everything would work out and that nothing could make this third experience difficult.
But my baby was born with a submucosal frenulum at maximum grade and this time I decided to operate on him. It was the best decision I could make because from that moment I could enjoy for the first time in my three maternity, a pleasant breastfeeding both physically and psychologically.
However, the truce lasted a short time and at three months my baby began to show clear symptoms of APLV and allergy to soy and egg, so I had to restrict these foods from my diet to be able to breastfeed without risk.
The exclusion diet was hard, but I had previous experience and a lot of information about it, so overcoming these obstacles, breastfeeding my third child was a real wonder and I enjoyed it very much until he wanted to.
Today I look back and would go through all the experiences lived. Because although some were tough, they empowered me, they helped me overcome obstacles and believe in myself.And when I remember the smiles of my babies while they were sucking, the milk gushing from the corner of their lips and that unique and special crossing of looks, I can only thank life for the opportunity it has given me to enjoy three lactations, with their lights and their shadows, and encourage other moms to fight for it if that's what they want.
Photos | iStock, Silvia Díaz
