Milking in Progress

This is my Life: Milking in Progress

It's taken me a bit to completely wrap my head around what I wanted to write about.  And although, I love the topic of intimacy, which I will later write about, I'm passionate about breastfeeding.  So, here I go. 

If only it could be this glamorous right?

Really we look like this and isn't this the truth?  There are so many stresses about being a first time Mom!!!!! Unfortunately, being a breastfeeding Mom or choosing to be a breastfeeding Mom shouldn't be one of the struggles. For me it was.  Before I was pregnant and even while I was pregnant, I said I did not want to breastfeed.  That it was barbaric, weird, gross, etc.  As I got closer to my due date, my heart changed.  And BOY (no pun haha), did it change! 

My first nights with Connor were hard.  I did not have the confidence or support I needed.  I did have Anthony and the nurses which were fantastic, but it still made it hard. I was a young new Mom.   I lacked my milk coming in, I was worried that Connor wasn't getting enough because I "couldn't see it", my boobs were killing me.  It's not easy. 

First nights home were a cry fest on everyone's behalf!  My Mother in Law came over shortly after we were home with Connor and I remember sitting in our bed, wanting to give up.  I was so worried and discouraged.  My milk came in in the hospital and I was still doubting.  She assured me I was doing the best thing for Connor and it was exactly what I needed to hear.   I got a little more confident but was still uneasy about nursing around others.  I was get comments like, how do you know he's full? How do you know he's getting enough? Can he breathe under there?  Silliness.  He knows when he's full, he'll pull away, he's growing and was always off the charts (well for height, weight, well he's my husbands son!), our children were meant to breastfeed.  Their little noses are built to be able to nurse and breathe. 

I mean just think about the location of our breasts and where we hold babies.  I could understand if our boobs were on our forehead and I had to hold my baby up...yes, probably wouldn't be ideal and wouldn't look natural.  But, if you are pregnant with your first child especially, I SUPPORT YOU!!!! From the moment you found out you were pregnant, you wanted what was best for that little muffin inside.  Continue!  The nutrients for baby alone do not compare and the benefits for Mom, worth it!

What to expect:  I wish I knew these things!
1. Pain!!!!!! People tell you when the milk comes in you'll have these large boobs.  Very true, you'd think fantastic, but the first part is the engorgement, which is just plain awful.  They hurt.  Also, your nipples, pain.  They pretty much have to get conditioned.  With Jamison, I had to have a prescription cream.  I thought after one, I'd be good, nope still hurts!  You dread the latch on, once baby is latched, you clench and breathe through the pain...it does subside! :) (Unless infected, then seek care). 

2. Contractions after birth: The breastfeeding triggers contractions in your uterus.  It's painful, similar to menstruate cramps.  This is a good thing though.  It's helping your uterus get back to it's normal size!  This gets much worse the more children you have.  It was very painful after Nathan.  Not only was I clenching for the pain of latch, but not cramps? ehhhh. 

3. Nursing sessions: they seem forrrrrrreeeevvvveeerr!  I mentioned on a previous blog, I will miss out on so many conversations or gatherings because of the length of the feedings. But, they are great and necessary.   They are full of bonding with your baby and establishing your milk supply.  These feedings to get shorter as your milk will let down quicker and faster. 

4. Waking a sleeping baby: Something you hear is very frowned upon!  It is necessary with a new baby.  Babies are naturally sleepy and unfortunately, you will have to stimulate your baby to feed your baby.  Removing clothing, changing diapers, tickle piggies etc.

5. Dads!!!! One thing we struggled with after Connor was born was Anthony having his time.  The Mom's carry the babies, then after, we have them all the time because we are their food source.  Encourage Dads to snuggle your babies after you are done nursing.  This can be hard because you just want to fall asleep or you don't want to move the baby, but put yourself in your husbands shoes.  He longs to snuggle his child too and feel that skin to skin bonding.  So, share the beautiful gift.  Let him have moments of bonding too. :) 

6.  Don't look at other Mom's.  You may think they have it down, doing everything far better than you, or perhaps they are using formula and have it easier, more freedom. But, don't give up this time.  Your baby was in your belly, then out. It's natural the only place your baby wants to be is on your skin and close to you, and how much closer than feeding?  

7.  Lastly- the awesome leakage.  You hear stories about Mom's shopping and they hear a baby cry and bam, milk lets down.  Well, this is true.  It may not let down at the sound of the cry, but it triggers you to think about baby, which triggers you to think about feeding baby, which will lead to your let down.  The worst is when you leak through your shirts! Motherhood :)  Even the breast pads sometimes can't hold it in, so I recommend just always having a nice shall or sweater handy! haha

Don't get me wrong, 8-9 months in, I wanted to be able to be out for more than 2-3 hours without someone needed me. Once a year hits, I'm ready to go to the cup and cow milk!  I'm not comfy nursing after a year.  Something about my child knowing, "knowing" and walking to me as their food source, I'm just not comfortable with that.  But, that is me!  Other Mom's may want to nurse far longer and that's their decision, just like it's yours to nurse from the start!  You know what, this goes by so fast.  It won't seem it at the time, you may feel like you just want to cry, which you can, but I promise you, a few months will go by before you know it, it will be done. 


Despite all these "negatives" things listed above.  They only last a short amount of time.  The pain goes away and nursing will be one of the best decisions you ever made for you and for your child.  I ENCOURAGE you to try it for at least 4 weeks, and see where you stand!!!

Now, I could list double if not triple the benefits to nursing, but here's a few! 

1. Emotional connection-the skin on skin, being a food source, knowing the nutrients you are producing and keeping your baby alive-it's all amazing! 

2. You don't have to prepare a bottle- You will be exhausted, as will your husband. Who wants to spend the time preparing a bottle half asleep, getting the temperature of the water right? Not me :)  Your milk is already prepared and the temperature is perfect for your little bundle!

3. Less to carry-Your milk prepares itself. Pretty awesome.  You can just leave the house and not have to worry about formula, water, bottles.  I remember one time I was on the elevator and I thought to myself, if this every broke, I would be able to keep Connor fed and safe.  It's perfect! 

4.  Easy one!!!! Saves you tons of money!!!!!!  I had to buy one thing of formula when I wanted to ween Nathan, $30!!!! I could not imagine my child starting from formula day one.  That's very expensive when you have free milk given to you!

5. You burn lots of calories!!! Much easier to lose weight after birth. 

You will have a lot of decisions to make for your children, start off on a great note! Best advice I can give, stay confident in yourself.  

When my children are all in school, I want to be a lactation specialist.  I have a true passion for nursing.  It's so wonderful and supporting Mom's is also a passion.  Can't get better than that.  

There are a lot of resources out there, but if you ever have any questions, I'm here! :)