A Boobie Post...Yes, that's the warning.

Yeah, so ignoring the fact that I may lose a couple of followers after this post, I will tell you the truth.  My boobs HURT.
It's not that "I'm-so-engorged-I-think-they-may-explode" kind of hurt.  It's the "my-baby-bit-me-and-broke-the-skin-on-my-nipple" kind of hurt.
I sometimes feel like I'm breastfeeding a piranha...or maybe a member of THIS family.  
I normally wouldn't make a whole post dedicated to the AGONY of having a bite hole in the side of my nipple, but I'm making an exception this time.

I'm preeeetty sure this is my daughter.

Baby Girl is on the boob about 30 times a day, if not more, these days.  She will hardly drink water, and completely refuses any other liquids.  I am most certainly having supply issues, but I'm working on that.  I thought maybe if I was making more milk for her, she'd get her fill and give my poor boobs a break for a few extra minutes.  I even started taking more Domperidone, just hoping for a little help until I can sprout these Fenugreek Seeds.  So far, nothing is helping.

The truth is that I know that she's teething.  Two at once, on the top.  And the gums where the bottom two haven't come in yet are super hard.  She'll get them anytime too.  She's even got a lovely rash on her face, which she's NEVER had before.  Our Realtor (a friend of the family) told me that both of her boys had the same rash when teething...but it's new for me.  And for Baby Girl.  She has my complete sympathy.  I have had too many toothaches to even count, and to be a baby with a sore mouth...I can't imagine how much that sucks for her.  I know she's nursing for comfort, and if it's all I can do to really keep her from crying, I'll do it.

On top of the damaged nipple thing, there's the issue of my boobs themselves.  Oh, I'm not going to go too into it...but I WILL say that I nursed my son for more than 16 months on one boob.  If I can nurse a 22 month old porkchop on one boob, anyone can!  I don't know how common it is, but it's like one boob just doesn't understand that it's supposed to be making milk.  Super annoying.  (I had every intention of posting a picture of something clever to go with this part of the post, and ended up seeing some of the most INSANE breast pictures EVER.  I wish I had Brain Bleach to erase the image of those Volvo-sized boobs...)

Anyways... this is more of a post to let people know that even though I'm no rookie, this isn't always easy for me either.  I think the biggest lie anyone has ever told was that breastfeeding is "always so natural and beautiful", because sometimes it is JUST NOT.  It's not always rainbows and unicorns.  There are times it's torture.  Like now.

Well, that's what it feel like!

And I'm no super-hero.  I have those thoughts I'm sure other moms have had...and it's all caused by the soft-tissue trauma going on under my shirt.  LOL  These days I sometimes wish my baby would just drink water out of that Dora sippy cup and leave my poor damaged boobie alone.  And sometimes I wish that my other boob would step it up and do what it's supposed to be doing, not just hanging around doing nothing all day.  (MOOCH!)  Oh, and then there's the times I wish my husband could breastfeed her...just a couple of times...even just one day.  Just to give my boob a break.  But noooooo....I guess I'm not married to THIS GUY.  My boob hurts so much, that guy is starting to look pretty good right now.  LOL!

But as much as I bitch (and I do), I'll keep going.  I'll keep nursing that little tooth-monster until she weans herself.  Logically I know it's what's best for her, and logic has to outweigh my desire instinct to HEAD FOR THE HILLS everytime she comes up and says "Bub bub".

Even if breastfeeding didn't have any health benefits, it makes her happy.  I knew a long time ago that I would do whatever I have to do to make sure she's happy...chewed nipple or not.    (And because there are too many health benefits to ignore, my logic-based brain has to do what needs to be done, no matter what.)

Teething can't be easy for them.  I know those teeth aren't being easy on me, and I'm an adult!  So I'm going to suck it up and continue to put her best interest before my own.  I just had to complain for a minute.  I (almost) feel better...

Ugh.  It's almost bedtime...my boob hurts just thinking about it!  >.<

This too shall pass...this too shall pass...this too shall pass...

Maybe in another post I'll tell you about the damage she did in the first week after her birth!  Aughhh!!!

*Sorry for talking about my boobs.  It could be worse, I guess.  I could have named them.  LOL