Nipple Soreness and My Sweet Experience Of Breastfeeding

by D.S.
(Indiana, United States)

I have always wanted to breastfeed my baby as it runs in my family to do so at least until the baby was 6 months old. Also the pediatrician was very particular that I feed the baby nothing other than breast milk.

I have read many breastfeeding stories and it was great to experience it for the first time. It is a feeling that cannot be explained and should be experienced by all mothers. Breastfeeding is the start of a special bonding between the mother and the child.

Also, it is believed that there no better feed for the baby other than mother's milk. Even the best formulas available in the market are only next to breast milk. Any mother would only want to get the best to her child and so, breastfeeding would be a good starting point to do so.

Though I wanted to breastfeed my baby, I had tiny nipples and the baby found t difficult at first but within a few days, she managed to get hold of it easily. But in the struggle to learn breastfeeding on my small nipples, my nipples went sore and it was getting very painful to feed for me. The doctor recommended medicines and cream to help cure the wound fast and until the wound cured, I was asked to use a nipple shield. On using the shield, the pain reduced considerably and it also helped pullout the nipple a bit. So the baby was finding it easier to feed on.

By then, the flow of milk also had increased and we were both enjoying our breastfeeding hours.

Yes, hours!!!

Initially my baby took anything between 30-45 minutes to complete a feed. So it was feeding most of the day. I used to read books or watch TV or listen to music so that I don't feel bored even during long feeding hours. I fed the baby exclusively with breastfeed for 6 months and then I started substituting.

Even when I go out of the house, I breastfeed my baby in public. Though some feel embarrassed to breastfeed in public, I felt there is no need to feel so. When kissing, hugging and such acts of love are accepted even when done in public why not the best act of love between a mother and baby be considered as something embarrassing?

With the right clothing, people wouldn't even notice that you are breastfeeding. So select the right dress and enjoy breastfeeding wherever you are.

Good Luck!