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<\/p>\nI did my best to label this post clearly, so that any squeamish readers would have the chance to x-out of here before things got too in depth\u2026<\/p>\n
I mean it. Fellas. Non-baby-loving ladies. Dad. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
Last chance\u2026<\/p>\n
OK, I warned you.<\/p>\n
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I always knew I wanted to breastfeed, but have learned that things don\u2019t always go according to plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before Hailey arrived, I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding<\/a>, listened to the experiences of other moms and decided to wing it with anything beyond that.<\/p>\n I knew the basics:<\/p>\n But there are some things that weren\u2019t clearly outlined for me, so I wanted to share with you some of the truths I learned along the way\u2026<\/p>\n OUCH. Even with a proper latch, it takes a while for your nipples to toughen up. (I just said nipples on the blog\u2026 I warned you, squeamish readers!).<\/em><\/p>\n And I\u2019m not talking about a \u2018oh that\u2019s a bit uncomfortable\u2019 feeling. No, I\u2019m talking \u2018What the FUDGE?! Is that a rabid kitten trying to gnaw off my nipple?!<\/em>\u2019 kind of pain. For the most part, it only lasts about 15-20 seconds, then if you have a proper latch it fades away.\u00a0 But those initial seconds are brutal.\u00a0 I cried, I cringed, I might have bit David\u2019s hand at one point\u2026<\/p>\n but the good news is\u2026<\/p>\n I kept hearing to try and stick out breastfeeding for 6 weeks because after that, things get easier.\u00a0 I remember thinking how long 6 weeks sounded, so imagine my delight when after only 2 weeks, I felt like we finally got into the swing of things.<\/p>\n Latching didn\u2019t hurt anymore and my cracked, painful nipples were healing. Hooray!<\/p>\n Prepare to pamper your nipples. When your newborn is eating often, your nipples barely get a break before they\u2019re being gnawed at again.<\/p>\n (Who knew a mouth with no teeth could wreak such havoc?)<\/em><\/p>\n So, in between feedings, take the time to care for yourself. Even though I was tired, after every feeding I\u2019d let \u2018the girls\u2019 air dry, then smother them with Lanolin<\/a>. My house was like living in a nudist colony for the first two weeks; I was always topless. It soothed and healed my poor cracked nipples and I\u2019m pretty sure it contributed to helping them heal more quickly and made me get the hang of breastfeeding quicker than I expected.<\/p>\n An infant\u2019s little fingernails bend easily and are paper thin, but don\u2019t let that fool you. Those little things can do some serious damage.\u00a0I called Hailey\u2019s nails \u2018her little raptor claws\u2019 because if I didn\u2019t keep them trimmed and filed, it felt like being\u00a0jabbed with a safety pin every time they brushed across my\u00a0chest.\u00a0 That lucky little girl got constant manicures with baby nail clippers and a gentle file.<\/p>\n [Tweet “Baby fingernails are like razor blades and other breastfeeding truths.”]<\/p>\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/IMG_1958.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat No One Told Me About Breastfeeding<\/h2>\n
1. Nursing can hurt.<\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/IMG_1953.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. It doesn\u2019t always take 6 weeks.<\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/IMG_1938.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Lanolin is a lifesaver.<\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"http:\/\/pics.drugstore.com\/prodimg\/72400\/300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4.\u00a0Baby fingernails are like razor blades!<\/h3>\n
5.\u00a0 Breast pads will be your constant companions.<\/h3>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/1monthKoda.jpg\")
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