Breastfeeding: A painful experience for baby and I.

by Robin J.
(Colubus, OH, USA)

My daughter was born late march 2010 with pneumonia and had to stay in the newborn special unit for seven days to recieve her antibiotics. On the fourth day we were able to pick her up and begin to breastfeed which made it a little difficult to do since she had a bottle and liked the instant gratification of it. The first time she latched on no problem, from there on out it was a fight if I didn't have the lactationist to help me. The nurses tried to help but they were more critical than anything else and it only discouraged me from trying to breastfeed. Once we got her home I didn't have the first issue, other than sore very sensitive nipples, until one day when she was nursing and screaming like she was in pain. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. She was latched and eating but why was she so upset? After looking her over I realized she had her arm behind her head pulling her hair and because she was only just a few weeks old she didn't realize it was herself causing the pain. I spent about thirty seconds trying to uncurl her tiny fingers so she would let go while I laughing because I never seen a child do this as I also felt her pain since she is my child. Once I got her hands away from her hair looked up at me as if she were saying thanks mom and went back to nursing without a peep. She has yet to do it again but now she is almost six months old with four inch long hair and yanks on it when she's frustrated.

A note from Liz, RN, IBCLC
Well, that is a new one for me. Nursing pain from baby pulling her own hair. Of all things to be worried about, that is so funny.
So glad you stuck it out, the NICU experience would have crushed most peoples spirits. And I am so glad you had the insight to see the problem with bottles early on: THEY ARE SIMPLY EASIER FOR BABY THAN THE BREAST. So the baby gets lazy. Great observation!
Best wishes to you breastfeeding.
Liz