Breastfeeding part 2

If you think that breastfeeding is the most difficult thing you’ve ever attempted, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I read a quote somewhere that said breastfeeding was 90% dedication and 10% supply and it is so true. For about the first 2 weeks I exclusively breastfed, I only pumped when I felt engorged. After the 2-week mark and when I started to feel a little more myself I started in on the pumping. I would exclusively breastfeed and then pump once a day normally in the morning time. Like I mentioned my supply plummeted around 2 weeks with Audrey so I was pumping a lot more at 2 weeks to increase my supply. Trust me I have read almost every single article about how to increase your supply and there is nothing out there that is going to increase your supply overnight. I know from experience it takes about 3 days for my supply to decrease and about 1 week to increase(everyone is different and everyone’s bodies are different). The most effective way to increase your supply is to feed/pump around the clock. I also know from experience that you CAN increase your supply, it takes a lot of work and a lot of dedication but it can happen.

The beginning is the most critical time for your breastmilk. You think that after you have the baby the hard part is over…. Nope, not even close. Audrey wanted to eat as soon as she came out, as they were sewing me up to be exact. The first latch is probably the most painful experience. Not only does it feel like a razor blade on your nipples but while you are breastfeeding your uterus is contracting and shrinking. It is crucial to have nipple cream on hand, I also really like the lilypadz nursing pads. They are silicone pads and I can put them in the freezer and then get them out after I’m done feeding and they feel amazing. I recommend trying to refrain from using the nipple shield as much as possible. The nipple shield can cause the baby not to be draining your breast completely which can lead to your milk supply dropping sooner than later.

I know my body and I know that I would not have been able to make it as long as I had without the hospital grade pump. You can rent this from the hospital or you can purchase it. It has a hefty price tag therefore I found some used ones on ebay. Since the Medela sympathy is a closed system I wasn’t worried about purchasing it used I just made sure I purchased it from someone that offered a return and then purchased brand new parts for the machine.

While you are breastfeeding you do not want to go longer than 3 hours without feeding or pumping. This includes in the middle of the night. So, when your sweet little baby is starting to sleep longer stretches at night you more than likely will have to get up to pump to keep up with your supply. I have not heard of too many women say they could sleep throughout the night while baby was sleep and continue to breastfeed.

You also want to stay hydrated. You will feel like a Camel consuming so much water. I also always had Red Gatorade on hand when I was breastfeeding. I read somewhere that red Gatorade has more electrolytes then the other colors do.

Exercise, this one is hard. There is a lot of argument around exercise and breastfeeding. I started really working out in January and lost about 7 lbs. But then I got the flu and my supply dropped and I gained the weight back trying to regain my supply. I’m always worried about my supply so therefore I haven’t ever worked out a ton while breastfeeding but I will say I think it depends on your body. I think some people can and then some people don’t do as well with it. However, if you do workout make sure to stay hydrated. Breastfeeding has helped me get back to my pre-pregnancy weight but I’ve had the most difficult time losing more weight. Also, I think that it’s important to note that once you are done breastfeeding most woman gain weight. Since you are burning so many calories while breastfeeding and then you stop it’s easy to gain a little weight. I’m going through this right now and trying so hard not to get worked up or stress out about but it’s hard not to.

It’s embarrassing how much food you will consume while breastfeeding. I used to eat far more than Chad did in one day and then still be hungry. Both my babies have been on the slender side but I’ve always been able to produce enough milk however my milk has never been that fatty. I always have to eat the fattier foods like avocadoes, nuts, peanut butter, etc. for my milk to have a little more fat in them. I also take supplements to help as well. I used to get really upset that I didn’t have chunky babies but had to come to the realization that I just do not produce fatty milk and that is ok.

So, there’s the truth about breastfeeding. It’s a beautiful experience but as I mentioned before any way you decide to feed your baby is completely up to you and your decision.