I had my beautiful baby boy!!!

[frenchie]

He was born on Feb. 18th by emergency cesarian. I labored for 31 hours, and pushed for 3.....he was in an unfavorable position, and I just couldn't push him out on my own. I labored the whole time without any drugs, so needless to say, I was exhausted by the time the Dr. decided to take him cesarian. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get to feel him come out of my body, specially after working so hard to achieve that outcome......but, I have a perfectly healthy, beautiful bundle of joy, and all the pain of the cesarian has been worth it! What boggles my mind....how people could CHOOSE a cesarian over vaginal childbirth!!! Recovery has been more painful than my entire 31 hours of natural labor.
Kai Jacob was 7lbs. 13oz. and 21 1/2 inches long when he was born. 1 week later, he weighs 8lbs. 1oz. He's a very strong eater!! He latched on right away, and has worked my poor little nipples over!! I would appreciate any advice the moms on this board may have in regards to overworked, VERY sore nipples. Thank you!

[molly]

Congratulations!!! :D

[CarlaJ]

Congratulations Frenchie! I wish the best for you and your little guy.

Carla

[Erin Pavlina]

A Big Congratulations to you! He's so cute!

I had a 36 hour labor with my daughter so I know exactly what you must have gone through... but then to have a ceasarian after that... wow!

When you're up to it and if you feel like it, submit your birthstory to the magazine and I'll post it for everyone to read.

Just go to www.vegfamily.com/vegan-pregnancy/index.htm and you'll see a link to the birthstory submission page.

Take care and rest!

[vegma]

Frenchie,

Congratulations on your new baby boy!! And on breastfeeding him!! To help with the sore nipples - he's probably not latching on correctly. If you can contact a LLL leader in your area (or not in your area, for that matter), she should be able to give you all kinds of tips. Good luck!

[EricP]

Congratulations! :D

Regards,

EricP

[cedarseven]

congratulations!
my nephews middle name is kai. i think it's such a beautiful name. that's a long labour you made it through, what a lovely
outcome.
cindy:)

[veganmama]

Congrats!!!! Your son is beautiful. My first pregnancy I labored 18 exhausting hours before needing an emergency c section, so I know all to well the disappointment. And being vegan and wanting a natural process. Anyway, that did not matter at all when they said my baby's life was endanger. Who cares how they came out as long as they did and that they are healthy!

I had horribly sore nipples, so much so that I had to breast rest one day and pump. Anyway, I was desperate. I used soothies (I hope they were vegan, I was told they were vegetable gels, but I never checked. They helped a lot and I wore them all times when not nursing. They feel really good when put in the fridge. I hope and paray that they are vegan.) I have heard on this board that olive oil is a vegan substitute for lansinoh. I will plan on using olive oil this next time and I will find out about soothies.

I know how hard breastfeeding can be at first. The pain does go away though! Hang in there and enjoy your miracle. VM

[Christa]

Congratulations! My older daughter took 3 days to be born, so I understand to long labor. She was induced on a Wed & wasn't born until Sat. (I was fortunate that I did manage to deliver vaginally, though & was positive that I would not be induced again with the second one!)

Re the nipples, I second the post about calling LLL & the positioning. My older daughter (she must have been the trouble maker :) !) created major pain upon nursing. She was basically pushing my nipples to the top of her mouth & rubbing them on the roof of her mouth. They cracked & bled. I cried every time that I nursed her for nearly a month! Please do try to stick it out, though. Once I got it worked out, I went on the nurse her for 21 months, until I was 5 months pregnant with my second daughter. The second one was so much easier, & she nursed for 27 months.

One position that you may want to try is the "football hold" - you basically tuck the baby under your arm on one side like a football. I'll use your left side for example. His feet will be behind you & he will be tucked along your left side. You hold his head with your left hand & latch him onto your left nipple.

You can also try the "cross-cradle" hold, which is the same as at "cradle" hold, but you are cradling him with your right arm & using your right hand to position his head & latch him onto your left breast (or vice versa). Using the opposite arm gives you a hand to control the placement of the latch on instead of just an elbow.

Try checking out the Nursing Mother's Companion for illustrations. Also, make sure that he is opening his mouth really wide & taking in your whole areola, and not just the center of your nipple.

You may also want to check with your local hospital to see if they have a lactation consultant and/or a breastfeeding support group.

Good luck.

[frenchie]

My son has a bubble pallette, and was sucking my nipple up into his pallette, then bearing down with his gums to express the milk. We have worked things out, but he gets real frustrated with me.....I have to latch him on, take him off, and do it over again until we both get it right. I feel so bad for him, and I'm afraid that frustration will interfere with our bonding. I hold his hand while he nurses, and I talk to him and give him praise, in hopes that he will forgive me.
Thanks to you all for the encouraging words.

Regards, Angie

[Bette]

Hi, congratulations, I just wanted to tell you not to worry about the frustration of b/feeding and certainly don't think your baby needs to "forgive" you! He knows you are doing your best and learning to work things out together helps the bonding process. I speak as someone who struggled for the first couple of months b/feeding, but now I have a relaxed, happy little boy who doesn't wake me up to tell me I was rubbish at feeding him when he was tiny! Relax and enjoy it. By the way, I found that the nipple pain was just something you had to put up with until they toughen up. Hope it's passing. Bye.

[Sylver]

Congratulations!! He is beautiful!! I hope you are both doing well and getting enough rest!
Take care.