Breastfeeding and post partum

I gave birth to my son in march and since my discharge, life at home has been drastically different. The first few days were the toughest. I remember just continuously crying to my husband because every damn thing came at once. Handling baby, pumping, having sore nipples, rock hard breasts, low supply and little sleep...it was just so overwhelming. I expected it to be hard but not to this extent... One of the most stressful part of this experience is breast feeding. Since my son had to stay in the hospital for a while, he was bottle fed there. Given this he has developed preference for bottle. So when I went home, he refused my breast. Once, I forcefully gave him my breast, and he bruised my nipple. It was so pain and frankly the only reason why I kept trying was because my husband and in law was giving me a shitty hard time, saying that formula is not as good and that I should try to breastfeed. I honestly resent them in that moment because they have no idea what I was going thru. My breast was hurting and all they kept saying was just try and try to breastfeed, invalidating my feelings. Dear mothers I don't wish to scare you but please take care of yourself during post partum. There is no denying that it will be stressful. My husband during pregnancy was so thoughtful and caring. Now he still is but of course with the baby, priority goes to baby. I won't fault him. Things are different w a baby. Try to get as much help from your parents/family/friends. Get confinement food sorted. Get someone to help w the night shift. It's going to be tough but honestly when we walk out of this, there's really nothing else we mothers can't do. We give birth to a human baby (with no epi), have stitches, walk the next day, pump for our lil one every 3 hours and run on very very little sleep. I love my husband but men really have no idea what we go through...

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I feel you... ftm here too and postpartum is really so bad for me. But thankfully I have supportive parents and parents in law. I couldn't get any breastmilk and could not BF at all. They did not say anything and just encourage me telling me its ok if really cannot. My baby is already FM fed since he is back from hospital until now, coming to 2 months old. All good for him so far with the FM. I can say it is still as stressful and tiring even when baby is 1 month plus now. Still crying on days where I feel really helpless and mentally tired. There are also days where I cried and tell my husband I don't want the baby anymore. It's too difficult. But eventually it will work out and now getting use to it. Baby is much better now and with better routine. Hang in there and you can do it. 💪

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