Like many new mums, I struggled with breastfeeding my first baby, Chloe. It took us months to get going after latching and attachment issues but we got there in the end.
When my second baby, Mackenzie was born, breastfeeding was SO easy. We were pros from the get go. I was so proud and I marveled at how simple/convenient/natural/beautiful breastfeeding was compared to my experience with Chloe. Then Mackenzie was put into the Pavlik Harness and everything changed. Breastfeeding was complicated again and I felt really hard done by!
Mackenzie’s legs were now all stiff and they stuck out at right angles when they used to nestle up against my body. Our usual position was now no good and I found this really upsetting and stressful and I think Mackenzie did too. I started expressing and feeding from a bottle because it was easier for both of us. But I was determined to succeed at breastfeeding again! I had experienced the convenience and wonderful bond and I wanted it back. So I did what I do best - I went searching online for answers to my problem. As it turns out, this is a common issue for lots of breastfeeding mums when their baby is first treated for hip dysplasia. I wasn't alone or a failure, despite what my negative inner voice was telling me.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association and Healthy Hips Australia have published great practical articles on breastfeeding and hip dysplasia which I found useful in finding a new groove. Links to the articles are at the bottom of this blog.
So Mackenzie and I tried all sorts of different feeding positions which mostly felt strange and awkward. After many feeds we finally found a position that worked for both of us. Mackenzie would lay on her back across my lap at a particular angle and turn her head to feed. This is a picture of Mackenzie and I, taken by a 2 year old Chloe. We usually used a V shape pillow (also called a triangle or boomerang pillow) for support which also helped us get the position just right (you can get them from places like Target and Spotlight quite cheaply).
In no time at all we got into new habits and breastfeeding with the Pavlik Harness was easy peasy!
So my wise advice to any mums reading this who are going through the same difficulties that I did - don't give up! Relax and experiment and you will find something that works for you and your little one in no time.
I did find the options for V shape pillow cases to be very limited which was a shame since that pillow followed us all over the house for feed times and then later on when Mackenzie was learning to sit up - see one of my all time favourite pics here of my two bedheads. So, we developed our own range of V shape pillow cases in gorgeous cotton prints which have been handmade in Melbourne. Get yours here: http://www.hipsleepers.com.au/v-shape-pillow-case/
:)
Jess
Links to articles on breastfeeding and hip dysplasia
Australian Breastfeeding Association:
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/hip-dysplasia
Healthy Hips Australia:
https://hipdysplasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/HHA-Breast-Feeding-Handout.pdf
For more posts about life with a baby receiving treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip, browse our blog here: https://www.hipsleepers.com.au/blog/
To view our range of specialty hip dysplasia baby clothes and accessories, click here: https://www.hipsleepers.com.au/shop-all/