Breastfeeding: Challenges and Rewards

Jelani drops me off at the Lactation Clinic a few minutes early so I hurry Ella inside to stave off the cold. We walk into a huge building that houses a few different Providence clinics and stores. Our destination is easy to find; first door to our left.

Once inside, I find myself silently criticizing the poor layout of the waiting area, where the presence of 4 other parents causes the long, narrow space to feel overcrowded. I instinctually cradle my daughters head close to my body imagining all the tiny germs floating from person to person through the hot, recycled air. Since the only 2 chairs are already occupied, I lean against the wall and begin soothing Ella, who is startled by the sound of two screaming infants in the room. This is her first time hearing the sound of another child's scream and yet, surprisingly she does not burst into tears herself. She does, however, give me her "crazy eyes"look, which nearly cracks me up. (This is where her eyes turn into little saucers and she purses her mouth into a little "o".)

I finally relax a bit once the area cleared out and I am the only parent left. I sit down and bop Ella in my arms while thinking of my sore breasts and our upcoming appointment.

Yesterday my doctor advised me to make an appointment with a Lactation Consultant, since 2 weeks have passed and I am still experiencing pain from breastfeeding.

The past few nights have been a nightmare, since that is when I am most tired and less likely to tough it out for Ella's 40 minute feedings. I have come to dread nursing- the pain, the itchy, sharp pangs of Ella's suckling. Instead of feeling closer to my daughter through her feedings, I have felt tense, fearful and at times, resentful. What should be a bonding experience has become a daily ritual of suffering. Previous to giving birth, I thoroughly researched the pro's and con's of breast milk versus formula. What I discovered about a formula-fed child and their increased chances of developing asthma, diabetes and obesity were alarming. I easily decided that there is no excuse to deprive my daughter of breastmilk and it's irreplaceable benefits. I remind myself of these benefits as I painstakingly wait for the consultant to finally appear 10 minutes after my scheduled appointment, by which time Ella has finally cried herself into hysterics.

After introducing myself, I hand Ella off to the consultant for a quick bathroom break and when I return am surprised to already hear feedback about Ella's latch.

"She's hurting my knuckle right now," the consultant says. She quickly explains that after looking under Ella's tongue, she has discovered a frenulum. "A frenulum," she says, "is a little piece of skin under her tongue that restricts movement. It interferes with her ability to cover her bottom gums, so they are rubbing onto your nipple each time she sucks. This could be the cause of your pain."

In other words, my daughter is chewing on my nipples like bubblegum. And this might be the cause of my pain? I raise an eyebrow and keep quiet.

After a few quick questions about Ella's birth and growth, we sit down to feed. I patiently listen to the consultant tell me how to latch Ella onto my breast properly, which I feel I've been doing up till this point. I follow her example anyhow and force myself to relax as Ella gnaws into my skin causing sharp pains to pierce through my breast. Needless to say, the consultant's assessment is finalized as the pain not being caused by a poor latch, but rather from her frenulum.

I ask about and learn that there is an easy procedure to fix the problem that should result in a less painful form of breastfeeding. It is considered surgery, since they will have to use scissors, but the consultant assures me that it is a nearly painless snip for the baby from which she will recover quickly.

"We just don't want you to quit breastfeeding," she says passionately.

Photo of before and after frenulum procedure:

Ella just turned 2 weeks yesterday evening and I can't believe how many setbacks and trials we have already faced. Since I have already determined to breastfeed for the first year, giving up breastfeeding and switching to formula is NOT an option. But it sure seems tempting when the natural alternative is so painful! I am happy to know that it does not have to continue as it has, but that the healthy option will soon be the bonding option too!

Medically based benefits of breastmilk:

Breastfeeding protects your baby from gastrointestinal trouble, respiratory problems, and ear infections
Breastfeeding can protect your baby from developing allergies.
Breastfeeding may boost your child's intelligence
Breastfeeding may protect against obesity later in life
Breastfeeding may protect your baby from childhood leukemia
Breastfeeding may protect your baby from developing type 1 diabetes
Breastfeeding may protect preemies from infections and high blood pressure later in life
Breastfeeding may lower your baby's risk of SIDS
Breastfeeding helps you lose weight
Breastfeeding can lower your stress levels and reduce postpartum bleeding
Breastfeeding may reduce your risk of some types of cancer
Breastfeeding may protect against osteoporosis later in life