Coming home with you was a dream come true. It was a moment I thought about for such a long time. When we arrived home, I rocked you in your beautiful nursery and we had a moment just us... Mother and daughter together. We rocked and listened to a lullaby CD quietly playing in the background. I softly touched your face, your sweet little nose, counted your 10 tiny fingers and toes, and watched your chest rise up and down with each breath you took. At that moment, with tears in my eyes, I truly felt we were meant for each other. It's a time I will remember forever. I felt so privileged and blessed to be chosen to care for you, protect you, and most importantly love you. You are a miracle from God and I am forever grateful. I remember feeling a little sad because as each second passed I knew you were slowly growing up. I felt like I wanted to stop time and just re-live all of the newborn moments with you. Now as I write this 8 months later, I realize that just when you think this time in the present is the best you could imagine. In reality, this is true, the best is yet to be...
I love you more than words can say.
Love, Mommy
So happy to be home with our little family!
The Early Days!
The first days at home were spent trying to catch a wink of sleep whenever possible. I don't think I did any cleaning or household chores including make dinner for at least two weeks! Emma would wake up every 2 hours or so to nurse and would sleep in between feedings. Jackson was a big help and changed a multitude of diapers and helped me whenever possible. We were so fortune to have Jackson home for one week and the second week he only went back to work half days. I was having several issues with breastfeeding, including mastitis when Emma was 7 days old and thrush when Emma was about 6 weeks old. I had a lactation consultant come out to the house when Emma was only a few days old. It's funny how in the breastfeeding classes the instructors paint a beautiful picture for you. It kinda goes like this... you will deliver your baby and life will be wonderful, you will be skipping through a field of daisies and breastfeeding will go smoothly.... WRONG for me! This may be a little TMI but I was seriously thinking how could I know so much about breastfeeding and it be this difficult to nurse?? Not only was engorgement after my milk came in an issue but my right nipple was cracked and bled nearly every time I nursed Emma. Somehow I persevered, probably because I am very stubborn and I knew I didn't want to give up. There were several days where I considered giving Emma formula and just giving up. Around the time when Emma was 8 weeks old it was almost like the clouds parted and the sun shown down on us. Everything was better, and breastfeeding was the amazing experience that I had heard about so many times. Emma and I finally figured it out together and nursing has been great ever since. We are going on 8 months + exclusively breastfed! So my advice for new moms having breastfeeding issues...call a lactation consultant or someone from La Leche League ASAP and keep trying! IT DOES GET BETTER, I PROMISE!! When it does, it is truly an amazing thing. I cannot describe the bond I feel between Emma and I. It just makes my heart smile!
My favorite breastfeeding items:
- My Breastfriend Nursing Pillow
- Motherlove Nipple Cream (I tried Lansinoh Lanolin cream and did not work as well for me)
- In the very early days with engorgement issues and mastitis Nuk Warm or Cool Relief Packs were amazing!
- Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads also were a lifesaver during the days with nipple cracking
- Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads
- Bebe Au Lait Hooter Hider for breastfeeding in public
- Good nursing bras and nursing tank tops
- Medela Harmony Pump & Medela Pump in Style Advance Electric Pump
- Medela Breastmilk storage bags
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