Yesterday I got it again. Breast infection that is. I had my first tryst with mastitis (breast infection due to clogged milk ducts) when Suhaana was about 2 and a half weeks old. I was exclusively breastfeeding till then, but the infection changed that. Since then, me and my breast pump have become constant companions. We spend so much time together, we’ve gotten to know each other really well! But then I get this second bout of infection again.
Yesterday I was so miserable. Had severe chills, high fever, body ache like I’d been doing hard manual labor, and worst of all- splitting headache that wouldn’t go away even after painkillers.
But at least unlike last time, there was no surprise factor. As soon as the chills started, I pretty much knew what this is. The only surprise was, I thought everything was going well.
But then, that how everything with babies and especially breastfeeding has been so far, when I think about it.. Everything is subject to change at a moment’s notice. Even last time I thought everything was going well, she had been feeding well, gaining weight, latching on. Just when things were settling in, and I thought I had this covered, that things had changed. Same story this time, just when I had gotten over the anxiety about quantity of milk production, the frequency of expressing, the decision of bottle feeding, just when I’d started to relax into a defined rhythm of the expected, shit happened!
But anyhow, today I’m feeling much better than yesterday, so things are looking up. The strange thing is, breastfeeding is touted as all about bonding, but here I am spending time with my breast pump, while downstairs my mother in law and husband pacify my little baby and feed her and play with her. Nt that I’m not thankful for having the help I have, she would be quite a handful for me, even without the infection and with absolutely no help. But i do feel like I’m missing out on a lot of time with her, because I’m in charge of the milk department.
Yesterday I was so miserable. Had severe chills, high fever, body ache like I’d been doing hard manual labor, and worst of all- splitting headache that wouldn’t go away even after painkillers.
But at least unlike last time, there was no surprise factor. As soon as the chills started, I pretty much knew what this is. The only surprise was, I thought everything was going well.
But then, that how everything with babies and especially breastfeeding has been so far, when I think about it.. Everything is subject to change at a moment’s notice. Even last time I thought everything was going well, she had been feeding well, gaining weight, latching on. Just when things were settling in, and I thought I had this covered, that things had changed. Same story this time, just when I had gotten over the anxiety about quantity of milk production, the frequency of expressing, the decision of bottle feeding, just when I’d started to relax into a defined rhythm of the expected, shit happened!
But anyhow, today I’m feeling much better than yesterday, so things are looking up. The strange thing is, breastfeeding is touted as all about bonding, but here I am spending time with my breast pump, while downstairs my mother in law and husband pacify my little baby and feed her and play with her. Nt that I’m not thankful for having the help I have, she would be quite a handful for me, even without the infection and with absolutely no help. But i do feel like I’m missing out on a lot of time with her, because I’m in charge of the milk department.
Hmm
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