There is beauty in all aspects of life, especially in life after a baby. For me, and probably many other women, breastfeeding is one of those moments that start out difficult and become beautiful over time. I would like to add a disclaimer that if you are formula feeding, supplemental feeding, or pumping exclusively mommy, you are an amazing mom. As long as your baby is growing and receiving the nutrients they need, then you are doing great mama. Right now, I am touching on breastfeeding because this is what I decided for our girls.
The one thing I wish I would have known prior to choosing to breastfeed my oldest daughter was just how difficult it would be in the beginning. Everyone always talks about how beautiful breastfeeding is and how beneficial it is for your baby (and it is both of those things) but NO ONE warned me about the excruciating pain that I would feel in the beginning or how many blisters I might have through the process (and for those that do not know, you will need to continue to breastfeed even with blisters and mastitis…which I also had…TWICE). Then there is the most frustrating part, which is that because I choose to breastfeed, somehow I feel guilty when I complain about it! Breastfeeding is a full-time job…literally. According to the CDC 80% of babies start out breastfeed but only 25% of moms breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months. In a nutshell, breastfeeding is hard work and it is hard to maintain.
For me, I have two very different journeys. For example, our first child wanted her milk and had a very good latch early on; while our youngest didn’t have a good latch until about week two or three and although she did latch eventually I still had to see a lactation consultant a few times. But once both girls were latched and my nipples started to heal, I did understand why so many moms loved breastfeeding their baby. The connection that you have while you breastfeed your baby is second to none. It is a moment where I can bond with my baby as we stare at one another. It is also comforting to know that my baby is dependent on me for their source of food. How amazing is it that the human body (for some) is capable of producing the main food source for a baby! And then the hormones that are released while breastfeeding are a true savior. There have been sooooooo many times when I was upset, feeling rushed or anxious, or downright just having a bad day and then I would sit and breastfeed our baby and somehow I felt a little more relaxed and calm. It is incredible! I ended up breastfeeding our first child for one year and with our second child I am taking her lead. She is roughly seven months and exclusively breastfeeds (story for another post) so my journey with her is still going.
To help motivate the mamas that are breastfeeding and going through a difficult time, please know that the first week or two is the worst part and generally it will get better over time. If it does not get better, please seek out a lactation consultant early. With my first and second child I consulted with a lactation consultant and all of my experiences were great! They will give you the time and attention you need to work on any issues that you are experiencing with breastfeeding as well as provide tips and tricks to ease your comfort with the whole process. You can also see a consultant later in your journey too. I mean I saw a lactation consultant a few weeks ago because I had concerns with our daughter’s weight. Lastly, know that in the end, it does not matter if you stick with breastfeeding or not. Try to take the pressure off of yourself as best you can. Breastfeeding is hard and your baby needs a happy mama. If breastfeeding is making you miserable, stop. As long as you are loving your little one and they are getting some sort of milk (breastfed or formula), that is all that really matters.
However, for those that are breastfeeding or choosing to give it a try, here are some tips that were helpful for me along my journey that I thought I would share:
- GET A NURSING PILLOW! This may sound obvious, but it is not. Everyone will mention the Boppy but seasoned moms will tell you to get a nursing pillow with back support for those early days in breastfeeding, such as the My Best Friend nursing pillow or the Frida Mom nursing pillow. However do not be surprised if you ditch the nursing pillow all together once your little one is out of the newborn stage. It gets easier nursing them as you get more comfortable.
- Try different positions throughout your breastfeeding journey. Different breastfeeding positions will feel better for you and your baby at different times so do not be afraid to switch it up. For example, when I first started breastfeeding both of my girls the cross-cradle was my go-to because it was able to help us work on getting a good latch, then as they got older the cradle hold or laid-back holds became my favorites.
- Nipple balm and other relief methods will be your best friend. Soothing the nipples is necessary after they have been through so much but do not expect to use a nipple balm and have the pain magically go away. It will help soften and heal those areas, but there is no magic cure for the pain initially.
- Pumping will help increase your supply but do not overdo it. Your baby will set the pace as to what your supply will be. As long as your little one is gaining weight, your supply is fine. But, if you would like to build up an additional supply to freeze then adding a pumping session one to two times a day is what worked for me. The milk will add up quicker than you think. Just be careful not to pump too much or else you may end up producing too much milk and putting yourself through more than you need to.
- Lactation brownies and some other supplements may work for you. I make my own lactation cookies but if I am short on time or energy I will buy lactation brownies. I’ve done my own little experiment and I do typically have an increase in my supply after a few days.
- Lastly, if you are worried about your supply, another option that I have tried is power-pumping for a few days. Each time I have done some power pumping, I have had great results with increasing my supply.
Helpful Resources
- “Breastfeeding.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Nov. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/index.htm
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Section on Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milkexternal icon. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):e827-841. DOI 2011-3552. Accessed December 21, 2021.
- World Health Organization. WHO Breastfeeding websiteexternal icon. Accessed December 21, 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Immunization Survey (NIS) website. Accessed December 21, 2021.
- Odom EC, Li R, Scanlon KS, Perrine CG, Grummer-Strawn L. Reasons for earlier than desired cessation of breastfeedingexternal icon. Pediatrics. 2013;131(3):e726–732. Accessed December 21, 2021.
- Sriraman NK, Kellams A. Breastfeeding: What are the barriers? Why women struggle to achieve their goalsexternal icon.J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(7):714–722. Accessed December 21, 2021.
