Liberated

FYI

This post is about nursing. 

The word "nipple" will be used moderately.

Feel free to skip it if you're not into that sort of thing. 

In case you missed the previous post, I have discovered the most wonderful contraption thanks to a helpful lactation specialist. In the last 24 hours Curtis has become an expert nurser. He latches perfectly and hasn't had a single problem. Freedom!!!

This amazing contraption has completely liberated me
 from the bonds of the nipple shield

WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS SOONER?!

From day one in the hospital, the nurse brought me a nipple shield to help Curtis latch. I didn't really get a chance to work on getting him to latch because I felt so rushed into getting him to nurse. I wish I would have taken more time during those first few hours. I also wish she would have brought me the Latch Assist. I guarantee Curtis would have latched and learned quickly how to do so. Day 2 in the hospital was worse. Curtis didn't want to nurse at all. We tried all sorts of contraptions like feeding a tube of formula into the shield to help him latch on. I felt like a complete failure because of something I had no control over. He did end up latching with the shield, and for the last 2 months he hasn't been able to latch without it. I can't believe I've spent the past 2 months being annoyed with the shield and having to have one everywhere I go. 

No one seemed to know about the Latch Assist. I wonder why.

I hadn't heard one single thing about it until two days ago when I met with a lactation consultant. 

Simply put, and obviously from the picture, the Latch Assist helps draw out the nipple so it is easier for the baby to latch. It also helps start the flow of milk (something some women have difficulty with). It is not painful because you can control how strong the pull is. Now, I'm sure some of you are thinking "well now you have to have that everywhere you go, instead of the shield." But alas. I haven't had to use it again after the first two times, which is fine because I didn't even have to pay for it! I will keep it with me for the next few days just in case, but so far so good. Curtis now takes in less air and will hopefully have less gas. Nursing is also less messy; milk always got caught in the nipple shield and usually leaked everywhere. The shield also gets rather dirty, and is a pain to have to wash frequently. It makes nursing in public (or anywhere with a cover) really hard. Can you tell I'm excited?! I'm not. I'm THRILLED!

Babies learn quickly!

If you're expecting a baby, and think you might not have the ideal nursing "equipment," this may be something that could help you. It sure has helped me!

I'm SO grateful to have finally found freedom from nipple shield bondage. 

It's going to be a wonderful day!

p.s. I think two of my best friends, Alex and Kelly, are having babies today!

Still waiting to hear!  

Soon all six of these ladies will have babies!