August is National Breastfeeding Month and I cannot believe I have not blogged about breastfeeding.  I had no idea how hard breastfeeding would be.  My mom breastfed myself and my siblings and she made it look so easy, as far as I could remember of course I was 7-8 years old. Most all of my friends who had babies, breastfed their babies and I do not remember any of them sharing how difficult it was.

When I had my first child I thought it would just be automatic, no one told me how difficult it would be.  I remember walking up to my friend in utter shock and saying "why didn't you tell me how hard this is?" Which she then went into sharing her breastfeeding story, and yes it took work. I vowed I would share with every new mom to be that I knew. 

No one told me about breaking the babies latch, I was a brand new mom, that had my nails done all the time, I had no idea how that would go out the window, IYKYK.

No one told me about your milk coming in and how painful it would be or tips for when your milk does come in.  I wish women talked about this more and maybe they do now, I know for sure after my breastfeeding experience I try and tell every pregnant lady I meet about breastfeeding.  I don't start with a horror story, I don't think that helps, but I am sure to tell them to do their research, find a La Leche League and buy Lansinoh nipple cream, ahead of time, before you have the baby. 

I remember going to my sons first week check up and they were gravely concerned at how much weight he had lost, which is normal by the way.  Then at the second week check up I was grilled as if I wasn't feeding my child.  I remember leaving the pediatrician's office in tears feeling like the worst mother ever.  But he was sleeping 4-6 hours through the night, he was not crying, he was having bowel movements. They strongly encouraged me to give him formula, they sent me home with a baby scale, I had to weigh him before and after each feeding, they had me writing down every bowel movement to report to my pediatrician.  They had me use a pump in the office to see how much milk I could pump, which pumping has NEVER worked well for me.  I have a friend who would pump for 5-10 minutes and fill an entire 8 ounce bottle. I would pump for 30 minutes and get 2 ounces.  

Because I did not know about breaking the babies latch, I was bleeding and sore and then had Mastitis. It was awful, but I wanted to breastfeed so badly that I continued to try and find what worked for me. 

I found a local La Leche League, and those mommas were my saving grace.  I met with a lactation consultant for an entire two months, she would come to my house, I would go to her house. Who knew you would need a breastfeeding coach? At the time of my firstborn, we had a local La Leche League group that met at our local library, which was amazing.  They shared different holding techniques, they encouraged me not just in breastfeeding but in motherhood in general. 

I am happy to report once we finally got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing, but it took WORK and tears, lots of tears!

My second and third born were my easiest breastfed babies, they nursed 5 minutes on each side, no problems gaining weight, no problem latching, it was complete opposite as my first experience.  I was more prepared though and each baby is different, I asked the hospital lactation consultant questions, and had them check how I was holding baby and latch, I probably asked more questions then the normal mom, but because of my first experience I wanted to go home, knowing everything I could.  That is a great tip, utilize the lactation consult at the hospital while you are there, ask for tips, ask about what to do if you have cracks and bleed.  Ask all the questions and ask them for their biggest tips.  I thought okay, maybe it is just because you have never breastfed before, but the truth is, just like each pregnancy is different, so is each breastfeeding experience.  Maybe it will be easy for you, I have friends, who had no issues at all from the get go, so at the same time as I am sharing this, it could be a walk in the park for you.  Forgive the quality of these photos below, they are old, see how far phone cameras have come.  

Nope my fourth baby proved me wrong.  Couldn't get him to latch, wasn't gaining weight, tried tube feeding, went to see the hospital lactation consultant weekly for the first few weeks. They considered clipping his tongue for tongue tie, I didn't do it because I waited too long. Eventually gave in to a little bit of supplementing with formula, for my own sanity. I tried pumping but as I said before, pumping was not easy for me, if anything it was more difficult, because I would have to prepare 30 minutes before, feed the baby, make sure he was changed and all good, as well as my other three little ones, then go to the bathroom to pump for 30-minutes to end up with 2-4 ounces of milk.  I also had a family situation going on that I think the stress was a big contributor to why breastfeeding wasn't working.  Babies are so sensitive to our emotions, you have to relax and not be tense just like in giving birth.  Committed to give my baby breastmilk, I pumped for nine months.  Oh the things we mothers do for our little ones. 

There are so many benefits to breastfeeding.  

1. Lifesaving - according to the journal Pediatrics If 90% of families breastfed exclusively for six months, nearly 1,000 infant deaths could be prevented each year.

2. Infant Health Benefits - Research show breastfed babies have a lower risk of health issues including asthma, ear infections, diabetes, and respiratory problems.

I can attest to this, none of my four boys had ear infections, while it was quite the norm with many people I knew who had babies. 

3. Colostrum - Often referred to as "liquid gold' for its deep yellow color, colostrum's the thick first milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. It's quite rich in both nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby from infection.  The human body is quite a miracle, from giving birth to being able to nourish your baby, amazing the way God made us. 

4. Weight loss? Studies say that women who breastfeed lose weight faster.  This was not true for me.  I literally felt famished the entire time I was breastfeeding.  I would eat so much more, to keep my energy levels up.  

Tips to breastfeeding:

1. Research, research, research. Read books, look up sites on-line, there are even support  groups now on-line.  There are things to help.  For instance, one thing that helped my milk supply was a supplement called Fenugreek.  You can find it at your local Walmart or health food store.  I also found a recipe for lactation cookies, but if you look up these things before you have the baby and purchase what you need ahead, I think it helps to be prepared.  Instead of having to send your spouse out to search for these items.  Here are two links to lactation cookie recipes.

HowSweetEats and CountryCleaver


2. Find a lactation consultant or group.

3. Buy Lansinoh Cream and a Boppy or Nursing Pillow. I needed my Boppy to nurse comfortably, I tried a couple other nursing pillows, one that even strapped around you, but the Boppy was my favorite. 

4. Try different breast pumps.  When I had my babies, you had to purchase your own, I loved the Medela brand and the electric double pump.  The hand pumps never worked for me.  Now you can get a free breast pump through your insurance. 

5. Be patient with yourself.  Ask other women for tips and help.  

6. Have your nursing time be a quiet bonding time.  I was grateful I was given this tip.  To not take phone calls and enjoy this one on one time with baby to pray over baby, to mentally recharge myself.  As moms even with just one baby, you go non-stop, from feedings to changing diapers, to calls, cleaning, and so much more that it is nice to carve out your nursing time as one on one time with baby.  Sing to baby, take in the gift and miracle of your new addition and the miracle you are.  

A fed, happy, healthy baby is all that matters, if you end of up supplementing or going to formula that is okay.  Don't be so hard on yourself.  Your baby and family need you to be well too, not stressed and overwhelmed.  

Take pictures of you nursing or have your spouse take a picture, I don't have any photos of me nursing and I wish I did.  It can be of you sitting in a rocking chair, with a blanket over, or however you want, but I wish I had photos of me nursing.  It really is a special bonding time that goes by so fast. 

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me I would be happy to help, answer questions, share links, etc. you can reach me at theblogaboutitall@gmail.com.  You can also reach out to me on social media Instagram or Facebook.  Thank you for reading if you've enjoyed the content you've read above please share with your friends.