Convinced that this pain was simply part of the experience, Rebecca persisted, day after day, thinking that she would eventually get used to it.. Yet, as the weeks went by, the situation did not improve, he explains The Mirror. On the contrary, she was getting worse, with each breastfeeding session becoming a real ordeal. While her baby seemed to be developing normally, The young mother found herself in a vicious circle of pain and guiltconstantly wondering what she was doing wrong.
The situation reached a critical point when her son, then three months old, started vomiting blood. Panicked, Rebecca immediately called emergency health services. Once at the hospital, Doctors revealed that the blood was actually coming from Rebecca’s nipplesseriously damaged by breastfeeding. Shocking news for this mother who simply thought her pains were “normal“.
Her nipples were completely damaged
This diagnosis was a real shock for Rebecca, who felt helpless in the face of the scale of the problem.
Fortunately, this experience also marked a turning point in her journey as a breastfeeding mother.Following this incident, she was referred to the Breastfeeding Network (BfN), where she received advice and support to overcome her difficulties.
Through support sessions and new advice on breastfeeding positions, Rebecca discovered that there were alternatives to make breastfeeding less painful. For example, the so-called “positionin rugby ball” helped reduce the pressure on her nipplesthus offering some relief. However, despite these adjustments, the thought of not being able to breastfeed her child as she had originally planned left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Several possible methods
Rebecca finally decided tointroduce powdered milk into your son’s diet from six monthsa difficult decision for this mother who hoped to breastfeed exclusively for a year. This decision was motivated by the need to take it easy, while continuing to offer her child the benefits of breast milk. Although Rebecca felt some disappointment, She recognized that this mixed approach was the best solution for her mental and physical healthwhile ensuring the well-being of his son.
The global health crisis also played a significant role in her journey. When the COVID-19 pandemic led to a shortage of formula, Rebecca was faced with an additional anxiety: that of no longer being able to feed her child. This difficult context pushed her to increase her milk production by using a breast pump, a desperate attempt to maintain a certain nutritional balance for her baby.
A better prepared second chance
Two years later, when Rebecca became pregnant with her second child, she was determined to do things differently. Drawing on her previous experience, she prepared in advanceactively seeking support and advice even before the birth of her daughter in March 2022. This time, she knew where to find the help she needed and did not hesitate to seek support from a breastfeeding consultant.
Although Rebecca again faced severe pain, exacerbated by mastitis contracted while battling COVID-19, she was able to approach these difficulties with more confidence. She quickly introduced a mixture of breast milk and formula, which allowed her to balance her desire to breastfeed with the need to maintain her health. This time, she was also able to take advantage of local support groups, a valuable help that helped her overcome the most difficult times.
