Breastfeeding: Hang in There During the First Month!

It’s in a beautiful apartment in the 8th arrondissement of Marseille that we meet Alice, 30 years old, and her little Camille, just two months old.

The young mother agreed to share her breastfeeding journey, which she describes as very difficult. She faced complications right from the maternity ward.

A Difficult Start to Breastfeeding

At birth, Camille had a throat full of mucus. She was uncomfortable and quickly spat up after feedings, coughing to clear her throat.

The staff reassured Alice that this wasn’t uncommon and that everything would return to normal within 24 hours.

Alice tried to nurse her baby but didn’t push it. However, after 24 hours without eating, the baby was exhausted and went into "energy-saving mode."

“She looked like a marshmallow,” Alice recalls. “She was so tired and had no interest in eating.”

Camille quickly lost weight, and the medical team advised Alice to wake her every three hours to nurse.

Alice followed their advice, but it was challenging to wake a baby in a deep sleep. Camille got irritated by these constant interruptions and had “fits of rage.”

Still, Alice’s persistence paid off. Camille eventually regained weight, and after six days, they could both leave the hospital peacefully.

Cracked Nipples, Mastitis... The Pain Begins

Unfortunately, the relief didn’t last long. As soon as they got home, Alice suffered from cracked nipples, first on one breast and then quickly on both.

Using nipple shields and cream didn’t provide any relief. The pain was so intense that Alice began dreading the next feeding.

But things were about to get worse. After a week, Alice noticed a large red spot on the side of one breast, followed shortly by a fever. She had mastitis (En savoir plus sur la mastite grâce au Guide pratique de l'allaitement.

“Luckily, my sister had gone through the same thing,” Alice says. “She immediately advised me to drain the infected breast as much as possible."

"After each feeding, I’d stand under a hot shower to empty my breast fully.”

This technique worked, but the mastitis returned twice more on the same breast.

When the second breast was affected, Alice, feeling overwhelmed, decided to consult a lactation consultant.

“The consultation fee (70€) seemed a bit high, but I couldn’t imagine stopping breastfeeding so soon, and I really needed advice.”

The Help of a Lactation Consultant

During the home visit, the specialist first took time to discuss Alice’s difficulties. Then, she asked Alice to nurse Camille so she could observe.

“She was very calm and relaxed, which was soothing. She helped me get comfortable on a large cushion and had Camille lie on me.”

This position, known as the biological nurturing, prevents the baby from pulling on the nipple. It also stops the baby from choking if the milk flows too quickly.

The consultant advised Alice not to hesitate to take Camille into bed with her.

“By responding to her need for contact, you reassure the baby, which makes it easier for them to become independent later on.”

Before leaving, the consultant encouraged Alice to call her if she had any more questions.

“I called her two or three times, and she was always very available. In the end, the consultation fee was more than worth it!”

A Rare Complication: Vasospasm

With the consultant's advice, Alice continued breastfeeding. Camille was three weeks old, and the cracked nipples and mastitis were behind them.

Then Alice began feeling back pain during feedings. It started as slight discomfort, “like a prick,” but soon the pain spread to her arm, causing tingling in her little finger.

Alice feared these new symptoms were psychosomatic, with no clear link to breastfeeding.

“I thought: you’re going crazy! It’s been three weeks of struggling with breastfeeding, and you’ve had enough!”

Fortunately, her lactation consultant diagnosed vasospasm over the phone.

This rare condition can occur when a baby’s suction is too strong. The symptoms can persist long after the feeding is over.

Alice’s Relief

In Alice’s case, the vasospasm was mechanical. Camille had jaw tension that prevented her from nursing properly.

“I was so relieved to learn that what I was feeling had a physical cause and could be treated!”

The lactation consultant advised Alice to see an osteopath specializing in breastfeeding, who treated both mother and baby.

“It wasn’t magic like I had hoped—the pain was still there when we got home. But within the week, it was completely gone!”

Coincidence? The disappearance of the pain coincided with the end of the first month of breastfeeding.

"The consultant had mentioned the well-known 40-day period needed for breastfeeding to settle. For me, that’s exactly what happened. And it was worth holding on: today, breastfeeding is going very well. Camille even had her first full night of sleep!"

Don’t Hesitate to Seek Advice

From this difficult month, Alice has learned three important lessons she wants to share with other new mothers.

The first lesson is about the anxiety of those early days.

“At the hospital, contrary to what you might think, the baby won’t necessarily cry loudly for the breast. Feeding on demand is fine, but be careful not to let too much time pass between feedings to prevent too much weight loss.”

Next, don’t hesitate to ask the medical staff for help at every feeding.

It ensures your position is correct and helps prevent bad habits that could lead to cracked nipples.

Alice’s final piece of advice?

“When looking for breastfeeding advice, you often read, ‘Don’t listen to others, trust yourself.’ I would say this : listen to the advice, try it, and see what works for you and your baby!”