Sucks.

You should not read this post if breastfeeding is something that freaks you out. Or, after you read this post and if you have never breastfed it could freak you out enough to not want to try it and that is not my intention either as I nursed both of my boys for a year or more...but let me tell you a story about how much pain this "natural" thing can cause.

With my first one I had the "normal" challenges of engorgement and soreness that many experience. Don't let me down play that pain as I still recall toe curled tear flowing times with those feedings. The first time was hard for me and for those I have talked to they agree it is not easy.

With the second one it was way better, still a sore week or two, but no engorement no major issues until three months down the road when I developed a clogged milk duct. This pain is immense. Then came the milk blisters...seriously have yet to meet another person who has had these yet but let me tell you it ain't no picnic. I consider myself to have a fairly high threshold for pain, but this about pushed me over the edge. After a few weeks of this resolving itself all was well and he nursed until about 14 months.

Now, let's talk about the third one. She took to nursing easily. No problems. Sure, still a little sore but nothing I could not handle...then we had her weight checked and she had not gained weight so the "nursing on demand" as I had done in the past was curb checked and we went to an every two hour feeding plan. Let me say now that was NOT a good move. The increased feedings jumpstarted milk production so much that I think I was set to feed triplets over here...I was feeding and pumping and freezing milk...and really, WHO should do this when you have a less than two week old? I say no one.

I decided to go back to on demand feeding. Cold Turkey. My breasts disagreed. My ducts clogged and this time I got to experience Mastitis. I started to not feel well, all over not just in the giant red and swollen melon region either. I was freezing and every joint in my body ached to move it. It took full jammies, socks, a bathroom, sheets, comforter and two blankets just to feel warm, not hot people, just warm. It was like the flu but no vomiting (just pointing out the positives here). It is not over yet, but with some antibiotics things are looking up...the melons are at least a little less red today and I am a little less cold and sore.

Sure the pain is worth it...but it still sucks.