[Free Version] The 50 Days from "Crying in Pain" to "Exclusive Breastfeeding." The Optimal "Don't Try Too Hard" Solution Reached by a Working Nurse Mom
"I want to breastfeed. But it hurts so much, I can't..."
Shortly after giving birth, many mothers find themselves in that kind of despair.
I was one of them. Armed with my knowledge as a nurse, I was determined that I should be able to "do this efficiently," but reality didn't follow the textbook.
Excruciating nipple pain, blood blisters, rashes, and anxiety over the baby's poor weight gain. After much trial and error, I have compiled my complete record of finally completing the "establishment of breastfeeding" 50 days postpartum.
I hope this reaches the mothers who are crying right now because breastfeeding is so painful.
1. The "Nipple Trouble Hell" That Started Contrary to Expectations
I did massages during pregnancy and welcomed the birth fully prepared. The initial colostrum flow was good, and things started off smoothly. However, the hell began around the time of discharge.
- Failure 1: The trap of "plastic wrap protection" that I thought was for the best
Applying moisturizer (Lanolin) to protect the nipples and wrapping them in plastic wrap for 24 hours. This backfired, causing the skin to become soggy and leading to severe "rashes."
- Failure 2: "Obsession with exclusive breastfeeding" and "endurance"
Believing that "the pain is only for now" and "frequent breastfeeding is justice," I continued direct breastfeeding while crying, even when blood blisters formed.
As a result, my mental state was in tatters. It was only when my mother said, "Let's take a break for a while," that I was finally able to stop.
2. The Turning Point: "Taking a Break from Direct Breastfeeding" and "Hand Expression"
On the 7th day after birth, I made the bold decision to"stop direct breastfeeding."
- Strategy:Prioritize nipple repair. When breasts feel engorged, use hand expression just enough to relieve the pressure. Supplement with formula for what is lacking.
- Surprising recovery power
The repair of the nipple, which is close to a mucous membrane, was surprisingly fast. Just by resting it properly for 1-2 days and moisturizing (this time, leaving it exposed to dry!), the pain that was so intense improved as if it were a lie.
It was the moment I realized, "Breast milk doesn't stop just because you rest. In fact, breastfeeding without pain is stress-free and better for milk production."
3. The Wall of Poor Weight Gain and "Latch-on"
Two-week postpartum checkup. The weight I thought was increasing well was judged as "poor weight gain." The instruction to "wake the baby every 3 hours to feed" left me drained both mentally and physically.
That was when I thoroughly researched"latch-on (how to get the baby to latch)."
I scoured YouTube and overseas videos, and what I arrived at after trial and error was"waiting for the baby to grow" and "adjusting posture."
In the newborn period when the mouth is small, it tends to be a shallow latch. I told myself, "This is still a practice period," and maintained my peace of mind by not forcing it and relying on formula or expressed milk when it hurt.
4. 50 Days Postpartum, Finally "Establishment Complete"!
50 days after birth. The baby's mouth grew larger, and the latch-on became dramatically better. By alternating between upright and side-lying positions to distribute the burden, the pain became almost zero.
Here, finally, my "breastfeeding establishment" was complete.
I want to share this much. 5 tips to get breastfeeding on track
1. Have the courage to "take a break from direct breastfeeding"!
If you're crying because your nipples hurt, switch to hand expression + formula for a day. Healing your nipples will allow you to continue longer in the end.
2. Breast milk won't stop as long as there is stimulation 8 times a day
Even if you don't breastfeed directly, you can maintain production if you provide stimulation with hand expression or a breast pump.
3. "Hand expression" is the ultimate skill
Mastering "hand expression," which requires no washing of pump parts and helps prevent mastitis, makes going out and nighttime easier.
4. Don't be afraid to use formula in combination
The idea that "adding formula will stop breast milk production" is an extreme view. Ensuring the mother gets enough sleep and can stay smiling is the best nutrition.
5. Latch-on is about "getting used to it" and "growth"
The mother is a beginner, and the baby is a beginner. It's impossible for it to go well from the start. One day, suddenly, it will get better.
Finally: For those who want to know more detailed data and know-how
I have created a paid article that summarizes my entire 50-day record in more detail.
In the paid version, I have disclosed the following content:
・Realistic breastfeeding records from day 0 to day 50
・What I changed on which day
・Breast milk volume, formula volume, and decision criteria
・Dealing with nipple damage
・What I saw through latch-on improvement
・What the midwife actually told me
・Expert knowledge researched from a nurse's perspective (FIL, prolactin, breastfeeding intervals, thinking on maintaining breast milk)
・Actual parenting log screenshots
I have compiled everything.
I wrote it quite candidly.
For those who, like me back then,
"Is this the right way?"
are searching in the middle of the night, I think this will probably hit home.
👉 [Complete Version] All strategies and breastfeeding logs to get breastfeeding on track