For background, I was 1 week late. I was induced and proceeded to have 32 hours of excruciating labor followed by a c-section around 1 am.

The first lactation consultant visited me about 9am the day my son was born. He wasn’t in the room because I opted to have him circumcised. She asked if I’d breastfed him, and I told her I had tried unsuccessfully in the recovery room. I’d also been unsuccessful when they brought him to me once I was in my room. She said that was normal. I then told her that he was in the nursery being circumcised and that’s when the lactation consultant started scaring me. She said I may have a problem breastfeeding because I hadn’t had a successful latch yet, and the Tylenol he was getting for the circ would make him sleepy, thus continuing his aversion to latching on. She said if I didn’t get him latched on within the first day I’d have horrible problems. At that point, as a new mom, I started freaking out. I honestly have no idea what she said next, I mean I know she was talking about all the things I’d have to do in order to breastfeed, but I was so scared her voice had morphed into Charlie Brown’s mother’s voice. I KNOW that if I hadn’t been committed to breastfeeding I would have thrown in the towel at that moment.

The second lactation consultant was much nicer – she simply corrected his latch.

The third was even better – she gave me the gel pads to help with my newly cracked and peeling nipples.

When I left the hospital, they gave me 4 bottles of formula. They’re still in the top drawer of the dresser.

My pediatrician is the source of the last mixed, negative message. He thinks he’s being a supportive advocate, but he’s not. In my opinion, telling new moms that 10-15 minutes per breast every 2 -3 hours is THE way to breastfeed is setting them up for failure. My son NEVER ate on that schedule. I would have quit if I didn’t know from other sources that it’s okay if your child eats on a different schedule; that it’s okay to feed on demand. In fact, when I mentioned to my doc at the 2 month appointment that sometimes I feel like I always have a boob out, he advised that I immediately get my son on the prescribed/”official” schedule. I. Don’t. Think. So.

Luckily I have my LLL group and the internet.