Last week, while we were in California, the baby had a 48-hour nursing strike.
One minute, he was having milk, business as usual.
The next nursing session, he was like, “WHAT? How do you do this thing with TEETH?”
He bit me. Over and over. And I’d try every few hours. But to no avail.
We’ve never had issues breastfeeding before. I’ve put away the pump. Didn’t even pack it. Had no way of getting the milk out of me unless I sat there hand expressing every last drop.
Because, the way it looked, the baby was done breastfeeding and he didn’t know how to operate anymore with his two teeth coming in.
I felt panic.
Rushed to buy a manual pump that showed up at our door a couple hours later.
All the while, thoughts running through my head like, “IS OUR BREASTFEEDING JOURNEY OVER? I DIDN’T EVEN GET TO SAY GOODBYE.”
Ishu’s teeth came in early. But we never had this issue before.
According to Dr. Google, this can happen when kids have sore gums or if they feel slightly traumatized by a big reaction when they bite (whoops, guilty). And that a ‘nursing strike’ can last anywhere between 2 days and several weeks.
SEVERAL WEEKS?!
Anyway, it was Ankur’s idea to try nursing him when he was almost asleep. The idea that breastfeeding is a survival behavior for babies and so he could possibly revert to feeding while he was drowsy.
And, SURE ENOUGH, he latched on and proceeded to nurse (while drowsy and maybe even asleep) for 45 minutes.
I cried the whole time.
Usually, I’m scrollin’ my phone or reading my Kindle during our nursing sessions. But I was just crying and staring at him the whole time.
I was so emotional.
So so emotional.
I was carrying on, doing what needed to be done. Running on mom autopilot. And it wasn’t until he latched and nursed that I realized just how many feelings were running through my body.
Mostly relief.
Because I’m just not ready for it to be over.
And now I guess it doesn’t have to be.
But MAN.
48 HOUR EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER.
WHY DO THESE TINY LITTLE HUMAN BEINGS HAVE SUCH A HOLD ON MY HEART?
Beautiful Blessed and Blissful!!!! Blessings to our Mama Life!!!! Love you and love our Riyu!!!!!
“Reading about this experience has brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine what you must have gone through emotionally. Thank goodness it was only a 48 hour thing.
So relieved it ended well.
This is the essence of motherhood …..
selfless love and care.
You are an incredible mother, Divya!
And kudos to Ankur papa for his quick thinking and suggestion to try while the baby was groggy.
He deserves a special prize for his support and presence during that challenging time.”