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Frustration and the Breastfeeding Mother
By Deborah Boehle, IBCLC
If a breastfeeding professional is not available, it is vitally important to find good written information. "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding," published by La Leche League International, is a great starting point for mothers who want accurate information about breastfeeding. Although some doctors distribute booklets and videos published by formula companies, their information can be inaccurate or misleading.
Even mothers who have no concrete problems become frustrated due to lack of sleep, which is a normal part of life for any parent with a new baby. "I think fatigue is a big factor in frustration," says Leanne Feuerborn, a certified lactation consultant at the Well Child Center in Elgin, Ill. For this reason, she encourages moms to view breastfeeding sessions as a chance to take a break. "Stop by the kitchen and get a snack. Sit down and put your feet up," she says. "Yes, the baby is nursing, but you are taking a break."
Eating well is an important part of taking care of yourself while breastfeeding, and it does not mean fixing a four course gourmet dinner every night. Feuerborn suggests that moms grab an apple or a piece of cheese to munch while their baby is nursing.
Some moms even create a special spot for nursing, where they have a book to read, a phone for calling friends, a pitcher of water and anything else they might need while breastfeeding.
"Hang in there, because it gets easier," suggests Kroc to mothers whose biggest problem is fatigue. "Babies get more organized, more efficient at nursing, and fall into more of a rhythm instead of the newborn nursing all the time around the clock. Moms also get more comfortable with the techniques of breastfeeding and are able to integrate it into normal daily living as time goes on."
