Mom's Battle [Breastfeeding Troubles] It's been 'trouble after trouble' with my 4th child.
This is who NORA is
Hello.
I'm NORA, a mom who wants to escape from being 'just a mom' while spending time with my 4th baby🐈
I got pregnant right after quitting my job,
and it's already been 10 years since I got married.
With my 4 children here,
I'm full of happiness💛
But... I suddenly thought,
'I really am just a mom.'
It might be wanting what I can't have,
but I thought I wanted to take some kind of action,
and I ended up on note.
You're very welcome even if you're not a mom,
so please feel free to take a look(_ _)★
A record of breastfeeding troubles
I've been writing about trivial things
and my 10-day health challenge,
but...
I'm going to record what I'm currently battling the most:
'breastfeeding'.
If there's someone in a similar situation,
and if this can make them feel a little better,
or make them think 'I can do this again!',
I'd be happy.
The thing is...
'With your 4th, breastfeeding must be a piece of cake, right?'
'You're used to it, so it's a breeze👍!'
is what people tend to say,
but the reality is... that's not the case at all!!!
I thought I could handle it to some extent myself,
but I was naive...😨
With my 4th, I'm having the most grueling breastfeeding period ever.
(Though there are happy moments, of course)
～The flow of troubles up to 5 months old～
The other day, my youngest safely turned 5 months old,
and although they seem to be on the smaller side,
they are growing up healthy👶
I am technically exclusively breastfeeding,
but...
there are just so many troubles,
it makes me want to cry.
【First Trial】
Wouldn't latch on during hospitalization
※Mouth was too small for direct breastfeeding
Poor at drinking due to a unique way of using the tongue
→Even after pumping... surprisingly for 3 months
【Second Trial】
Thought they latched on! Then came blisters
→Back and forth between pumping and latching
【Third Trial】
Thought they could finally drink! Then my first ever
mastitis (near-miss) with a high fever
+ concurrent gastroenteritis (I'm dead👻)
【Fourth Trial】
Suspected 'milk blebs' while recovering, intense pain
Endured it, went to a breastfeeding clinic after the fever broke, intense pain again
Repeated on the left and right as if taking turns
【Fifth Trial】
When the milk blebs were ending, blood blisters, then blisters
So huge that the scab left a crater
Constantly stinging, half-crying & feeling exhausted ←★Now here
Even so, I won't give up on breastfeeding
About twice, I thought, should I stop breastfeeding?
Should I switch to formula?
That's what I thought.
Of course, I told my husband about the pain,
and since he can't breastfeed as a mom,
he couldn't easily say 'Why don't you just quit?'
to me while I was trying so hard,
but it seems he thought about it a little.
In today's world, prices are high and I have no income.
Even considering the cost of formula, breast milk is ideal.
Besides, I felt happiness in breastfeeding,
which I thought would end with my third child,
so I thought it would be nice if I could breastfeed directly,
and I slowly increased my milk supply by pumping,
nurturing my breasts to the point where it was enough.
It's sad to stop that.
Also, if I were to stop right now,
I heard I would have to use medication.
Because I've worked so hard up to this point,
just not feeding would lead to mastitis,
and the midwife told me that's the method to stop immediately,
so I couldn't bring myself to do it.
The details of the ordeal, the fruits of my labor!
The battle isn't over yet,
but I have truly gone through a lot of trial and error.
I don't want to forget the fact that I worked this hard,
and I hope this reaches anyone who might be in a painful situation 😢!
From now on, I plan to write about each ordeal
as I remember them, taking it slow.
Mothers are strong!
Even after overcoming childbirth,
the battle continues.
Everyone, please don't push yourselves too hard♪
Don't forget to treat yourself 🍀
I'd be happy if you continue to watch over me👀＊
I hope we can meet again...★