Well I started this blog the day after Lila was born and never actually posted anything. She is now just over 7 months old so I thought I’d better get a start!
The last 7 months have been the busiest of my life but also the most rewarding. Raising a child is everything I thought it would be but so much more aswell. Together Nic and I have nurtured this tiny newborn baby and helped her grow into a healthy and happy infant. There is honestly no better feeling.
I will eventually write down my birth story and other things I want to share/remember but for now I’ll stick with the present. Currently Lila sleeps between 12-14 hours overnight. She stopped waking for feeds at 10 weeks old and to be honest I kind of miss it. It was really the only time it was just us, in the quiet and alone and I would just watch her and hold her tiny body against me until she fell back to sleep.
I have successfully breastfed her this whole time, though the early days were by no means easy, I managed to get through it and I’m so glad I persevered because we have the most amazing bond and I love that time I have with her.
The thing with breastfeeding is that no one tells you it’s going to be hard. They just say “it’s natural you’ll be fine”. No one actually tells you that your nipples will crack and graze (sometimes even bleed) and that every time the baby tries to latch into your boob it’s a toe curling pain that you literally have to breathe through. The breathing they taught us in the ante natal classes, while not necessary during my labour (it was so fast) came in handy for those first 6 weeks. So although natural, you and the baby both have to learn it. I was confident I would breastfeed from the moment I got that positive on the pregnancy test but there were a few moments where I thought maybe formula would be easier. After those first 6 weeks though it got easier. While my nipples were still quite sore it was much easier for me to get Lila to latch on so it wasn’t so painful anymore and I wasn’t dreading every feed. The one thing I’m so glad I did was going to see a lactation consultant. They are honestly worth their weight in gold. At 12 weeks our breastfeeding relationship was perfect. No pain, nipples healed and it was like everyone had always said, it was natural.
I am so lucky to have had the support I had from Nic, my mum and also a group of WONDERFUL ladies who have helped me through this motherhood thing more than once. A group of 80 or so women who honestly have nothing but love and support for each other.
Anywho I think that’s enough for today, I do plan on posting a lot more to do with breastfeeding etc so stay tuned.
Nic with Lila 3 days old and almost 7 months.
livingwithlila 