It was 2 a.m., and my two-week-old baby was wailing again. We were still trying to figure out this whole breastfeeding thing, and every time he latched, it felt like my nipples were being put through a cheese grater. My mother had suggested I take a break and give him a bottle, but I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. Meanwhile, my husband was blissfully snoozing in the next room, and the one friend who was a breastfeeding guru lived over 1,000 miles away and wasn’t responding to my frantic texts.
Ah yes, the classic baby timing: always wide awake when the rest of the world is dreaming. During the day, he slept like a pro, leaving me to wonder whether I should tackle that pile of laundry or catch up on sleep. Spoiler alert: always choose sleep.
That bottle was looking more tempting by the minute. Then it hit me—there was that Facebook group about breastfeeding my friend had recommended when I was six months pregnant. “You’re going to need this,” she had said. Well, now I really needed it. I opened the app, found the group, and typed my desperate plea:
“HELP! THIS BABY WON’T SLEEP, MY BOOBS ARE ON FIRE, AND I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”
Within five minutes, a notification pinged. Someone was actually responding! A fellow night owl, probably juggling a baby and her phone, reassured me that what I was experiencing was normal cluster-feeding behavior. As long as my baby was peeing and pooping, we were on the right track. “Hang in there; it gets easier,” she added.
To that kind soul whose name I can’t recall, thank you! Social media deserves more credit for its role in helping mothers navigate the rocky waters of breastfeeding, especially when the well-meaning advice from family and friends misses the mark. Strangers on the internet, identified only by their profile pictures, can be the ones to tell us we’re doing just fine, that it’s completely normal for babies to want to nurse constantly in those early days. They offer tips, share their experiences, and often suggest reaching out to a board-certified lactation consultant when the struggle gets real.
Many of those encouraging voices might even be lactation consultants themselves or seasoned mamas nursing their second or third little one after overcoming the challenges of the first. The best part? They’re accessible at all hours. Sure, I could have visited a lactation consultant or attended a support group meeting, but none of that would have helped me in the wee hours when I was battling the urge to reach for that can of formula in the pantry.
Maybe those who say breastfeeding moms should cut down on their “brexting” should ask what exactly we’re reading. Perhaps we’re seeking advice on latching techniques or when to start pumping so we can return to work. Or maybe we’re just trying to stay awake while scrolling through the latest celebrity gossip to distract ourselves from the pain of sore nipples.
I wasn’t about to buy into the hype of colorful drinks that promise to boost milk supply. The best advice I received was to nurse on demand and pump every 2-3 hours at work to maintain my supply. My little one and I survived that sleepless night and ultimately nursed for a solid 2½ years. My breastfeeding group became my lifeline, especially during those late-night crises.
Fast forward to the arrival of my second baby, who was glued to me almost 24/7. When those late-night cluster feeds kicked in again, I felt a sense of calm. I knew the drill. So at 2 a.m., I grabbed my phone, settled into a comfy position, and scrolled through my trusty Facebook pages once more.
“HELP! MY BABY IS CONSTANTLY FEEDING, AND I’M NOT SURE IF I’M MAKING ENOUGH MILK! WHAT NOW?” I typed, asking about diaper counts and latching.
“Keep nursing, Mama. You’ve got this! You’re going to be okay,” came the reassuring response.
In the end, social media became my secret weapon in breastfeeding, providing support and connection when I needed it most. If you’re navigating the world of home insemination, don’t forget to check out this resource for more guidance, and for expert info on supplies, look here. For those seeking additional support, this link offers great resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary:
In the midst of late-night breastfeeding challenges, social media became my unexpected ally, providing support and reassurance when I needed it most. Through Facebook groups, I found a community of fellow mothers offering advice and encouragement, helping me navigate the early struggles of breastfeeding and ensuring I felt less alone in my journey.