My husband has been in remission from cancer now for five years and we were told we could not expect to have any more children. So, much to our joy, I fell pregnant and gave birth via VBAC (vaginal birth after a previous C-section) with third degree tears and complications last August and am happily still breast-feeding our second son still at nearly a year.
Both times I had no bad complications feeding my sons. I had blocked ducts at 4 weeks this time when my dear Mum died suddenly, and I spent a rather manic time arranging the funeral and caring for my father who had suffered two strokes last summer when I was heavily pregnant. The blocked ducts happened because I was rushing about, not sitting and resting and feeding my baby frequently, as you need to do early on. You must rest, taking time for you and baby to rest and recover, and establish your supply. You should drink heaps of water and eat well. Just remember to keep feeding baby on blocked side, and any tender red, hot patches will go. It will be a bit tender but will clear with time. If you feel feverish or flu-like, it may turn to mastitis, so be careful. You may need antibiotics.
Feed on demand -- no supplementary top up of formula. I have heard stories of this from friends. Don't feed when others and health visitors tell you should be feeding -- the four hour thing is a formula thing, little and often is best in those early weeks when starting off breast-feeding.
Both times I found La Leche League invaluable as a point of contact and a life line. Being in touch with other like-minded mums when often all around are formula-fed -- it is lovely meeting breast-fed babies and toddlers, and mums, doing the same thing at monthly meetings. And for past few months we have set up our own little group weekly between meetings with five other League mums at my house for lunch and it has definitely been a life line for me since Mum passed away. Two of my friends in my weekly group have lost their mums also, so it's good support. And in caring for my Dad -- it's been a lovely chilled-out weekly thing to look forward to amongst the chaos!
Keep up the good work everyone, and be strong and go with your mummy instincts. My motto is, "Have boobs will travel." Ignore the negative comments as they are through ignorance, and just educate them with the positives of breast-feeding and they can make up their own mind. It's only because normally they don't know any different. Some formula-fed babies are not fed like this through choice, as complications or medical reasons arise. And I sympathize with those mums, but if you can give it your best shot, it is SO worth it in the long run. It's such a beautiful thing to do with your baby or toddler. Their confidence and security grows, knowing their emotional and physical needs are being met.
