Boobs & Babies

 Let me start with saying everyone’s breastfeeding experience is completely unique. Know that. Own that.
 
What I’m about to share is my experience. Yours shouldn’t be exactly like it because you are a different mama and you have a different baby. Dare I say a breastfeeding relationship is like a marriage – yours is yours and mine is mine and the two shouldn’t be compared.
 
I imagine women used to visit quite frequently about babies and breasts and the synchronization of breastfeeding. But now, many of us go along our merry way without every speaking a peep about the struggles and joys of nursing our babies. Somewhere in the midst of working away from home, technology, and a thousand other factors we have lost a community which holds a ton of mama wisdom.
 
Be advised I have written my story as a way to build community – not to give specific advice. If you are seeking breastfeeding help I would highly recommend connecting with your local La Leche League. Experts there await your every question :)


 

 
I always knew I would breastfeed my babies. My mom was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years and I remember watching her nurse my 2 little sisters during that time; I was 3 and 6 when they were born. She didn’t have a pump and I never saw her use a bottle. I do remember sitting next to her on the couch and “nursing” my dolls while she nursed. Breastfeeding was normal and I grew up believing it as such.
 
When I became pregnant I read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and jumped on board with the laundry list of benefits that breastfeeding brings to mamas and babies. I had alot of faith that I would successfully breastfeed my baby since my mom had. I guess part of me hoped I was genetically predisposed to being a milk mama :)
 
Now I’m almost 10 months into my breastfeeding journey and this is what I’d share if you and I were sitting around a quilting table chatting about babies and breasts and the synchronization of breastfeeding …
 
Labor is hard work. Nursing is long work. Nursing no where compares to actual labor when it comes to intensity, but when it comes to stamina, nursing takes the cake. After your baby is born you have to devote yourself 100% to getting in synch with your little one. It takes weeks/months to get into the groove of things, but it is worth it. I PROMISE. I tried to do too much in those first weeks – you have to be ok letting the dishes and laundry pile up. Just let it go! Buy paper plates, I did :) Your #1 job is to manage eat/sleep/poop
 
Troubleshoot before you have trouble. In those first few weeks, it is really emotional to hit a nursing obstacle and have no idea what is going on. Have a nursing mama friend on speed dial, connect with your local La Leche League while you’re pregnant so you have an expert to call, and read about some normal things that might happen – education is power. 
 
For example, I got a milk blister on one of my nipples around week 4 or 5. It didn’t hurt, but I knew it shouldn’t be there. My poor sister got a boob in the face as I made her “inspect” it for me as we compared pictures on Google.  I also had excess lipase in my milk (which is rare so don’t let it scare you) which made storing milk difficult. I didn’t find this out until I had over 200 ounces of frozen milk in my stash. Had a read about it beforehand, I would have known what to check for.
 
Side-lying nursing is God’s gift to tired mothers. Here’s what it looks like:
 
When I figured this out, nights got alot easier. No more lights and propping pillows. Just a quick adjustment and you’re back to sleep.
 
You CAN return to work full-time and continue breastfeeding. I only know two moms (personally, not including blog land) who have continued to feed their baby breastmilk while working full-time. If you’re like me and need a boost of encouragement that it can be done. I’m here. Ten months and counting.
 
It really is the best thing. Regardless of what Victoria’s Secret says, I’m pretty sure I’ve got these knockers for a particular reason – to feed my baby. It’s the most natural and beautiful experience and even with all the bumps along the way I wouldn’t trade what we have. Plus … we’ve saved money (although I should take out stock in nursing pads) and Jemma and I have benefited from all the health perks of breastfeeding – hooray!
 
Formula isn’t necessarily your 2nd option. When I returned to work I was dead set on only giving Jemma breastmilk. But, I knew from others that pumping/working and breastfeeding don’t naturally go hand in hand. Hence, I researched what our 2nd option would be. I learned that mama’s milk from the breast is the best option, mama’s pumped milk is next, another mama’s milk is third and finally, formula. In the olden days, if a mama needed to supplement a wet nurse was readily available. In these technology times Facebook offers Eats on Feets and Human Milk for Human Babies which allow mamas with extra milk to connect with mamas who need milk. I also liked the idea of making my own goat’s milk formula. Again, education is power. You never know what options are out their until you look for them.
 
What you pump doesn’t equal what your baby eats. Babies are experts at nursing, it’s their job and source of survival. Pumps do their best to mimic nursing, but it just isn’t the same. Hence, what you pump will usually be less than what your baby eats. Breathe a sigh of relief. 
 
Set small goals and go from there. Nursing goals will be different for everyone, but I feel like it is really good to have them. Some of mine have been … 
  • Make it through the night without leaking through my bra/top/towel/sheets. 
  • Hit 6 months of exclusively breastfeeding before introducing solids. 
  • Donate my excess pumped milk to another mama/baby in need through Eats on Feets. 
  • And now, follow baby-led weaning until Jemma and I are mutually ready to end our nursing relationship.
 
Breastfeeding is an evolving relationship. Nursing a newborn is very different than nursing a 10 month old. When Jemma was a wee bit I had to sit up to nurse; I wrapped the Boppy around my waist and had 3 burp clothes at the ready – one under her chin, one over my shoulder and one just in case. I sprayed, she choked, and we did our best to not drench the couch/bed before mealtime was over. By 4 months (when I returned to work) we had a pretty good routine and the spraying was under control. Around 6 months she became the-most-distractible-baby-ever-born and now we can only nurse is a very quiet room with low lights, no interruptions and preferably a fan providing the calming white noise that says “focus on eating, focus on eating”. What will come next? Only the breastfeeding gods know …
 
So … now that we’ve completed an entire quilt while discussing breastfeeding, I’ve discovered that I have a little more to share. Keep your eye out for:
 
P.S. Thanks to Lacy for inspiring me through her post, The Honest Truth About Breastfeeding.
(Visited 278 times, 1 visits today)

You May Also Like:

Comments

  1. says

    Can I jut say… paper plates = genius! I would never have thought of that.Thanks so much for your post. I love it.

  2. says

    ps i love your new background

  3. liz says

    Hi there, Great post! Although like you said all breatfeeding relationships are different. I felt exactly like you did and hoped I would successfully breastfeed just as my mama did for us 3 kids. Although not all goes as planned, and I experienced breast refusal (as a result of reflux) from my little bub at 2 months of age. I was devastated to say the least, but with the help of many people, I continued to breastfeed till bub was 7 months old and now I express. It has been an incredible journey, full on and very difficult at times, but totally worth it.One thing that didn't sit well with me though was the statement that "mama's milk from the breast is the best option, mama's pumped milk is next, another mama's milk is third and finally, formula. I believe it's comments like these that weigh heavily on mamas who have tried everything & anything, consulted lacation specialists, walked to the ends of the earth and back, but still couldn't breastfeed. Plus, not sure what your opitons are where you live, but in Australia you can't get another mamas breastmilk very easily at all, hence this is not even an option to fall back on. It is common knowledge where formula sits on the list, therefore I don't believe comments like this need to be published. I had a poor mama friend, who dreamt of having a sustained, longlasting breastfeeding relationship, only for her milk to not come in, and formula was all that was available for her to feed her hungry baby. I guess its just being sensitive of others feelings and experiences – thats all. And feel truly blessed that you have made it to 10 months.And judging by your gorgeous, chubby chub Jemma, she obviously loooovvvves her milk! Keep it up – you are a very clever mama :)

  4. says

    Great post… I wish I was still breastfeeding, but our time had come to end sadly.. however what I really wish for is that I had a few breastfeeding photos.

  5. says

    I definitely talk about breastfeeding and pumping and lactating and all of that, but mainly with real life friends. I've actually expressed at least six friends so far in this life. It's amazing how tiredness and/or a hungry baby will make people get over any reservations about having a friend see and even touch their breasts.That said, I'm not the model story of breastfeeding. With my older son, we breastfed really well, but he had a protein intolerance that finally led to putting him on NeoCate (a prescription formula) at 4 months as I was eating sweet potatoes, brown rice, lentils, spinach and water and he was still having problems.Then my second son was born ten weeks early after his twin sister died in-utero at 24 weeks causing preterm labor that finally couldn't be stopped at 30 weeks. He obviously couldn't breastfeed at first. Then he had such a hard time with bottles that we didn't try him on the breast until one nurse declared that he couldn't be worse and we put him to the breast. he loved it. I screwed it up with him though, because I had an oversupply from all the pumping and so I had to keep pumping. And so one day when he was screaming at my chest (he has GERD) I decided to screw it and just pump. So now I'm exclusively pumping. Not something I'd really recommend, but oh well. And I've been working more of less full-time throughout this, even when I was in the hospital and so was he. Another argument for one more kid is to really try to do breastfeeding right… Sigh.

  6. Anonymous says

    Blogger: That Mama Gretchen – Post a Comment kohoji satzujy hssynf moncler 販売店 モンクレール アウトレット モンクレール ダウン アウトレット nppmeey wyorkjsr bottes ugg origine ugg bottes ugg bailey button triplet texypov sldga bottes ugg kensington bottes ugg bottes ugg tall nppmsrhn bottes d'hiver ugg bottes ugg femme bottes ugg revendeurs xcmuagzt

  7. Anonymous says

    [p]The game of basketball together with path happen to be several fine samples to do [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance sale[/url] this different types of athletics that usually own varieties utilizing Nike Shox pumps . Some stores offer festive offers . Online stores do provide [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots outlet uk[/url] a great variety of Ugg Bailey Button boots and that too at an affordable rate . So, be sure to surf for a superb deal—-because who doesn't LOVE acquiring a must-have product in the bargain deal? In order to see my strategies for getting a lot on authentic Aussie UGG boots however different style, you should definitely visit my Cheapuggsoutlets . I know she will come back, I'll wait for [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance[/url] her . Not smear their own image or imitate others, with Cheap UGG Boots you can be so stylish [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots[/url] with unexpensive dressing . Women's Basic Cardy Ointment Pure Sneakers Sale made, your Basic Cardy Ointment Pure Shoes or boots can be Basic Cardy Extra tall start via Legitimate sheepskinThere has developed into amount of Ugg shoes or boots inundated the market industry . Not only would you look stylish but at the same time, you would also look distinct and different to a great extent . Brain smith founded Ugg holdings Inc.[/p][p]茂禄驴t need to to stick to just getting a pair inside brown or black, you can buy these people in almost any shade you desire And there is no need to hesitate because of the priceThe authentic p you Brush II shoes or boots can be found in a few distinct colours * chocolates, cooking with charcoal briquettes, along with fuss There exists usually a fine line generally there Has the rest of the world realised what the fashionistas always knew? Plus, we tell you what to do with your old, unfashionable UggsIt may be an object of derision throughout the fashion industry, but the Ugg boot This mixture associated with power and flexibility allow the ft to feel relaxed whenever we stroll They must nutriment along with safeguard, not necessarily develop popular culture conformists and very cumbersome walkers away from his or her wearers The changes produced are of these character that this amendment [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance uk[/url] will not make any effect general feel of Uggs shoeugg on sale They may be fashionable as well as comfy at the same time In our cheap Ugg boots UK, you never have to worry about the quality . Pleasing [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots uk[/url] to eyes, grey shades are the favorite of many fashion gurus to deliver their distinctive fashion impression . These tags will say 'made in China' as opposed to 'made in Australia', as many people believe . The traditional distinctive tall boot [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots sale[/url] with the upper part that can be folded either up or down still stays in fashion . Sheep farmers obtain a secondary profit for selling the hides in addition to the meat . The cheap ugg boots for sale key Krinkle is this season's wear-everywhere boot . UGG 5825 Classic Short Boots Red is a pair of fashionable and comfortable boots . They looked ugly and naturally they are called 隆庐ugly boots隆炉.[/p]

  8. Anonymous says

    [p]They are [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots outlet uk[/url] actually Australian Ugg Sheepskin boots made from double faced sheep skin . As [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots sale[/url] footwear the Ugg sandals are really attractive . The reason this boot is more durable [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance sale[/url] than some others is because it has EVA molded rubber pod inserts . together with functions, this lady came across he / she ended up being deliver to any issue, it can be very clear there is not any ugg boot profit the night with your ex attention to [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots outlet[/url] the retail . the black background and the eye-catching kick logo which traced out by white line make [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots[/url] up its simple apperance . Due to their larger-than-normal size, many [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance[/url] buyers are put off by their appearance at first . Released of which life's for a popular box of delicious chocolate, [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots uk[/url] you will never how are you affected will occur later inside life . Knit, leather, nubuck, [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance uk[/url] shearling, suede and twintone are some of the materials used to create these boots.[/p]

  9. Anonymous says

    [p]They are [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots outlet uk[/url] actually Australian Ugg Sheepskin boots made from double faced sheep skin . As [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots sale[/url] footwear the Ugg sandals are really attractive . The reason this boot is more durable [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance sale[/url] than some others is because it has EVA molded rubber pod inserts . together with functions, this lady came across he / she ended up being deliver to any issue, it can be very clear there is not any ugg boot profit the night with your ex attention to [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots outlet[/url] the retail . the black background and the eye-catching kick logo which traced out by white line make [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots[/url] up its simple apperance . Due to their larger-than-normal size, many [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance[/url] buyers are put off by their appearance at first . Released of which life's for a popular box of delicious chocolate, [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots uk[/url] you will never how are you affected will occur later inside life . Knit, leather, nubuck, [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance uk[/url] shearling, suede and twintone are some of the materials used to create these boots.[/p]

  10. Anonymous says

    [p]Here's the details of the shoes as [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots sale[/url] follow: http://www . A few years ago stall holders were selling bamboo clothing at Market from Chang Mai to China, but with the West now educated about its sustainability, it is available all over the [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots outlet uk sale[/url] world . The tag on real ugg boots [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots clearance sale[/url] should say Ugg Australia, Made in China . When one obtains the opportunity to figure [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots uk[/url] the ugg classic talls that sort of posture shortly alters . These range from the full grain leather used to the gum rubber impressed to make a mark with the UGG Classic Tall 5815 Boots Samba Vulc . " Recently, these boots underwent a high fashion makeover, and they now come in marbled copper sheepskin, so you can stay warm and make a statement at [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]ugg boots sale[/url] the same time . The wool [url =http://www.uggoutletssalesuk.co.uk]ugg boots sale uk online[/url] element of complexion coloring faces set for that within with within boot and therefore lies in opposition for this leg . They [url =http://www.suggbootsclearanceuk.co.uk]cheap ugg boots clearance sale[/url] could sometimes use with out hosiery; just wear them without selling.[/p]