Working Through The Challenges of Breastfeeding
There was once a time when mothers in their fourth trimester struggled to breastfeed and didn’t have to look or go very far to get hands-on support. Now it’s more often that mothers who struggle with breastfeeding keep it to themselves and struggle in silence.
“Breastfeeding is natural.” What does this phrase actually mean? Does it mean that the day you birth your baby, you suddenly become a breastfeeding pro and are fully equipped to start your breastfeeding journey? I often hear stories about how breastfeeding is magical, the baby latches in seconds, and the mother is glowing with joy. Although breastfeeding is special, we aren’t always given the tools to succeed in it. Breastfeeding is natural but, for mothers entering the fourth trimester, we need to equip and prepare ourselves for the process.
Hands-on support shouldn’t be unattainable for mothers. There should be an abundance of new-mom groups, visits from friends and family members, lactation consultants, and so forth. Similar to pregnancy appointments with midwives and other healthcare professionals, you should have access to similar support in your fourth trimester.
What is the fourth trimester?
The fourth trimester is the transitional period between birth and 12-weeks postpartum –– during which your baby is adjusting to the world, and you’re adjusting to your baby. The fourth trimester can be a vulnerable time for new mothers and should be viewed as a continuation of prenatal care.
A story about a close friend of mine:
She was in her second week of nursing, and the pain during each session wouldn’t go away. Not only was nursing extremely painful for her, but her baby wasn’t getting enough milk either. She couldn’t figure out what was wrong. About a month into nursing, she realized her son had a slight tongue tie. She reached out for some help, and though this helped her son latch better, her breast pain during nursing was still a constant.
Why do I share this? Because nursing is a case-by-case situation that needs the attention of hands-on help. There may be many things you’ll adjust and change in your breastfeeding journey and amazing people who can walk through it with you. You should not walk away from breastfeeding feeling defeated; don’t let isolation lead you to give up.
Four barriers to breastfeeding:
Lack of knowledge about breastfeeding.
The misconception that formula is equivalent.
Breastfeeding is not the social norm
Little to no community and support
Breastfeeding support systems are so crucial for a mother and her success with her breastfeeding journey. While, yes, breastfeeding is natural; it isn’t instinctive.
Midwives
Midwives offer postnatal care, helping you with breastfeeding, setting up your baby, swaddling, cleaning, and caring for the basic needs of your newborn baby. Your midwife has walked with you through your pregnancy and can offer comfortable, familiar postnatal support.
Lactation Consultants
A lactation consultant is your first go-to stop for any breastfeeding questions. A lactation consultant is specially trained to teach women how to to breastfeed and address a wide range of breastfeeding issues such as nursing pain, bleeding, latching styles, etc. These healthcare professionals are often on staff at hospitals and frequently visit while you’re recovering. They can also make home visits and check-in calls.
La Leche League
La Leche League is an international organization that has supported breastfeeding mothers for over 50 years. They offer free groups that meet in various locations such as a birthing center or cafes – anywhere where there is a group of breastfeeding mamas needing support. In these meetups, the group shares breastfeeding strategies, challenges, and stories of their journeys. In these groups, you have the opportunity to connect with mothers who have walked through breastfeeding and are active in supporting breastfeeding mothers in their community. You can connect with local doulas and lactation consultants at these meetups. Ask your local midwife for how to connect with your nearest La Leche League.
Postpartum Doulas
If you’ve worked with a doula in the past, you know the incredible support they offer during pregnancy. Postpartum doulas can also help you with postpartum care. They can help support mom in her first few weeks with breastfeeding, meal preparation, and other household needs.
Mom Forums
When in doubt, ask a mama! Community is an incredible way to connect with local breastfeeding mothers. These groups offer a lot of encouragement and can help answer some questions and share experiences. Sometimes all we need is a friend, someone to hear us, see us and tell us, this too shall pass. Just talking our challenges out with someone can make the difference.
The fourth trimester can be overlooked, especially the challenges of breastfeeding. Many mothers also experience baby blues and postpartum depression. Not to mention your body is going through a physical and hormonal change that will undoubtedly have some effect on you.