Women often come into my office and say, "Sara Chana, it's just not fair that I struggle with nursing while none of my friends or sisters do!" Let me spill the tea: it's not true that all your friends aren't struggling behind the scenes. I've had countless women confide, "I've suffered with my last four kids. I keep it quiet, but I just can't take the pain and I never know if my child is full!"
The ones who have it 'easy' are shouting it from the rooftops while the rest of us silently lose our minds in the background. But why would nursing be difficult? Isn't it natural? Aren't babies born knowing how to suckle? Spoiler alert: it's a learned behavior for most babies, just like trying to color within the lines or hopping on one foot.
The Realities of Breastfeeding
Here's the scoop: all healthy babies can swallow, but to nurse correctly, they must master the suck-swallow-breathe pattern. They must build the 51 muscles in their mouth, and their tongue needs to perfect a little peristaltic dance. And get this: to get full at a feeding, they must swallow 450 times at each feed! Yes, 450! [CDC Guidelines]
Getting Help
So, what can you do? Get help! A well-trained lactation consultant can teach you how to guide your baby to build their mouth muscles and coordinate them with their tongue to transfer milk. The good news? With proper guidance, most babies can become quick, efficient nursers!
Encouragement and Support
Don't sweat it—help is out there, and soon you and your baby will be nursing champs, ready to take on the world, one gulp at a time! Remember, the journey of breastfeeding is unique for every mother and baby, and seeking support is a positive step toward a successful breastfeeding experience.
Further Resources
- Women's Health - Breastfeeding
- NHS - Breastfeeding Support
- WHO - Infant and Young Child Feeding
- National Breast Feeding Month
- First-Week Breastfeeding Questions
- Common Breastfeeding Problems and How to Solve Them
By Sara Chana Silverstein, IBCLC
