How is Breastfeeding going?

That picture of Brooke made my heart swell in my chest. I could literally feel it. You must feel so incredibly blessed!! I’m glad that you’ve been able to work through your slow start and that it wasn’t as bad as you thought — as someone who hasn’t been through it, but has also heard horror stories, this is encouraging! Even though I’m still MANY years away from being a Mommy myself :)

look at those chubby cheeks! She is just too cute :) So glad to hear your breastfeeding update to far. I love that you spoke up at the Dr’s and worked it out. I want to keep in mind the ‘good’ stories for when our little boy is born this fall, they are so inspirational . thanks!

Brooke is BEAUTIFUL! Congratualtions!! And congratualtions on working through breast feeding. This stuff is HARD work! Unfortunatly, a lof of people are clear on actually HOW HARD it is and get frustraited unknowingly and probably quit too soon. I have the same pump, back pack and all- and I usually read your blog while pumping! A heat wave hit when my twins were first home and I was having a really hard time nursing both at once in the heat so I quickly became a pump-only-provider. I’m one with the pump- literally; at my kitchen table, 7-8 times a day for over 20 minutes…BUT I’m able to 100% provide for 2, 2month old babies so I’ll take it! It is hardest after feeding both babies alone, (this can take up to an hour!) and then having to go pump in addition to it but I use it as a chance to chatch up on e-mails, blogs, write in baby books, write a grocery list…It’s not the end of the world being attached to the pump- it’s just the end of my young, perky boobies! I have to say, because my kids came 6 weeks early and were in the NICU, the pump also allowed me to give them the colostrum immediately. At the hospital they encouraged me to nurse each baby for 15 minutes then pump for 15. I also think the pump encouraged my milk to come in slightly sooner, but that could be wrong. It’s not what I picture for my nursing experience but it’s working and nourishing H&L, so that is most important. Good luck!

The thirst! I swear, it’s almost unquenchable. Pain is normal- don’t be surprised if it gets worse for awhile before it gets better. A little trick I learned- try putting some Lansinoh (the lanolin cream) on BEFORE you start nursing. I swear it protects like a charm and helps so much! Glad you are loving it. I love that bonding time with my babies so much.

So proud of you for sticking with it! I breastfed both of my girls and the pain only lasts the first 2 weeks or so, then you should be golden! I tried “conditioning” before my first one, and didn’t bother the second time around and didn’t notice any difference in the pain level…I just had to tough it out through those first two weeks and then we were all set. Keep it up, You are doing great!

Way to speak up!! I am thankful the Dr listened to you and took your request seriously. Sign of a great Dr. :)

Breastfeeding is way harder than I imagined but we are still hanging on. . . almost 4 months now. I am totally jealous of your pump!! I am using my sisters old pump (a Medela about 10 yrs old) and while it gets the job done I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t LOVE to have a new hands free or backpack version. I typically pump first thing in the morning since that is when I (any maybe every nursing mom??) makes the most milk. It’s also helpful to pump a little after each feeding to store up a milk stash in the freezer – great for when you go back to work. Good luck!!

Great that you’re sticking with it on breastfeeding. My first taught me–I was so very lucky she was a “natural” at it. The second and third were progressively harder, so it’s a good thing I already knew I could do it. But one thing I kept in mind is that it’s pretty rare that a mom can’t do it at all. Sometimes there’s a physical issue with nipples, milk supply, medications, baby’s muscle tone, etc. More often, I think moms are talked out of continuing by medical staff or family/friends who undermine their confidence, which is sad.

Sounds like you’re doing fabulous! It should get to the point that the initial latch doesn’t hurt at all. My third was a “nibbler,” who hurt me when he just wouldn’t open his mouth wide enough, and he had to work his way onto me–that was painful. As he got bigger, I’d keep unlatching and making sure his mouth was wide open enough before letting him try again. If his mouth was wide open, there was no pain.

LOVE all these Brooke pictures!! She’s totally adorable!!!

I initially breast fed for the same reason, formula is so expensive. I ended up nursing and the pain completely subsides at 3 weeks (unless there is a problem). I had the same pump. My son is now 5 and starts kindergarten today.

I nursed all 4 of my kids for the full year.

Good for you!! I think breastfeeding is WAY harder than labor and delivery. I nursed both of my kids over a year, but it was NOT easy with the first one. I’m so glad you’re worked through the issues. Sometimes I think doctors try to sabotage mothers by suggesting formula too early. UGH. Don’t get me started!

Breastfeeding is a tough job, and it’s awesome that you are copping to that (so many moms don’t want to admit it!). It’s also awesome that you didn’t give up. It’s so easy to just go to formula when things get tough, and I can tell you that the payoff is so worth it. My son was breastfed for 6 months, and though it was hard on me in lots of ways, I loved watching him grow and thrive on just what I was giving him. What a gift! I hope to do the very same with our little one arriving in January. Keep it going, Janae and Brooke! You’re doing great!

I used the same pump and loved it. I breast fed my son for one year. I miss it! He is 15 months now. The first few weeks it did hurt those first 10seconds, I know exactly what you mean. That goes away soon. Keep up the good work, it is so worth it!

The hunger and thirst that I had when breast feeding my babies was so intense, especially when they were newborns. I never felt full! So glad to hear it is going well.

Completely normal to hurt at first! I forget when… maybe a few weeks in, it won’t even hurt then. I use the Medela Freestyle. What I’m doing is feeding my Dude from 5:30 to 6 before I go into work and then feeding him as soon as I get home from cross country practice (usually around 5:30.) Then I pump 3x during the day: during my 2nd period planning, at lunch, then right after school (before practice.) That gives me enough milk to send with him to the babysitter’s the next day. I absolutely love that that is my time with him. I used a “Milkie” milk saver while I was on maternity leave and the summer (and now) while I breastfeed, and that got me to store up about 200 ounces in the freezer before I started back teaching. RECOMMEND BIG TIME!

both my boys were preemies so the pump and I were together every three hours. My youngest never did get the hang of breastfeeding so I pumped for him for a year! Most new moms start leaking when they hear a baby crying….I’d leak if I heard the blender (or any other mechanical whirring) – ha!

I’m so proud of you for sticking it out! It’s totally normal for them to drop that weight before your milk comes in. The 10 seconds of pain when she first latches on is normal. It WILL go away and nursing her will become so easy for you soon. When she learns some head control you won’t have to do anything to help her latch and then it’s really easy peasy! I also used to pump when I would get really full and since I needed a stash of milk for returning to work I pumped first thing in the morning since you’re always super full then (after your milk supply stabilizes and she starts sleeping longer at night). Great pump choice by the way, its what I used with both of my kids.

I pumped a lot with both of my kids. My son wasn’t able to breastfeed for the first 5 days because of a few health issues (he was 5.5 weeks early). I pumped a lot, but never established a good supply. We struggled with breastfeeding for a while, but by 6 months, I couldn’t keep up with him, even with pumping multiple times at work. He also never latched on right, we used a nipple shield for a long time. With my daughter (5 weeks early), she nursed like a champ from the very beginning. The doctors were worried since she lost some weight in the beginning, so they told me I needed to supplement. I asked if I could supplement with breast milk to avoid using formula, and they said we could. I pumped after every feeding and my supply was awesome! She always refused the bottle afterwards, so I knew she was getting enough milk. I had the same pump, but in the metro bag. It’s awesome. After a few weeks, I cut out pumping after the night sessions. I had a freezer full of breast milk. I had to avoid onions and probably spicy food with my son, but he had a pretty sensitive tummy and some reflux. My daughter didn’t mind anything. I’ve heard that broccoli can make babies gassy, but I never had that issue. Your blog can definitely come in handy with this. If Brooke is fussy or gassy, you can look at your blog to see what you ate! I’m so happy that this is working out well for you. I think every momma goes through a time where they want to give up (between hormones, lack of sleep, whatever), but it passes quickly and you go back to being glad that you are doing it. You’re doing an amazing job caring for Brooke. She is a lucky little girl!

Your exact story is why after my 1st born, I waited until my milk came in to even try to breastfeed. I made myself SOOOOO sore with my 1st trying to satisfy him with nothing, ended up with huge blisters and pretty much quit because it was just way too painful (and those dangs blisters stayed around for almost a month). With my next 2, waited until my milk came in, just bottle fed for the first day or two and wow what a difference. No blisters, no supply issues and I was able to succesfully nurse for a year with each.

So glad you got it working for you… it really is the best gift you can give your baby!

So glad for you it is going well, you did a great job of making it work. It really is a hard thing, so many variables and the emotions/hormones/exhaustion make it so much harder. But is is worth the fight.

Your situation sounds super typical those first few days the milk just isn’t there yet. I had to give my daughter formula for the first few days as well and I hated it but we stuck with it and it turned into 15 months of perfect breast feeding.

I had that pump too, its great. Be sure to get a freezer stash going for if you want to have date nights with your man or if your supply takes a dip here and there, its nice to have the back up. Once she sleeps longer stretches in the night you will be very full in the morning so feed here and then pump to empty out and build your stash that way. Often once you get your period back you will have a slight dip in supply for a few days.

Good job!!!!

your thirsty/hungry comments made me laugh. SO TRUE. I am a ravenous beast while breastfeeding. I’m so happy that things turned around so quickly for you, that’s really fortunate! It’s tough, but so worth it. It’s cheap and convenient too, which helps! It’s completely normal for it to still hurt a bit. That will go away and you won’t even remember it hurting . . . until she starts to teethe!!!!

The first week is the HARDEST. You are doing great, glad it is working out so much better now for you! The crazy madness of being so thirsty and hungry is totally normal, gotta work hard to feed another human being! I had to avoid caffeine and spicy foods. I always used a pump to relieve myself when I was too full, and i loved my Medela pump!

I was truly sad when my baby stopped waking up in the middle of the night to nurse. It was our special time together, just the two of us. I’m glad you feel the same way!

I rented a Medela hospital pump. It was the bomb. So fast and so quiet. I also bought the Medela Harmony manual pump because it is really small so I could just take with me everywhere and then I could pump whenever I needed to. I highly recommend it.

Yay for breastfeeding! I never had to buy formula for either of my kids and they both breastfed until 11 months and they both weaned on their own. That’s such a good feeling, knowing it’s the BEST you could do for your baby and it’s FREE! I worked and pumped in my office, and stored up frozen milk in the freezer so I always had a supply for the babysitter. I’m so glad it’s going well and you stuck with it! It gets easier and you will never regret that bonding time with your baby girl. She is so precious!!

It does get easier! The first 2-3 weeks with my first were the worst. By the time I got to my third I was all this is no big deal and I can even make one handed sandwiches for my older two while I’m nursing little dude now.

Congrats on your baby Janae!! She is simply adorable. I haven’t stopped by here in a while so I missed a lot!!

Aw I hate that docs put the “fear” in women like that. I got that too, at her 4 day appointment she had lost 10% of her body weight. He gave me formula and said to give it to her. I cried and cried (I am a failure! I can’t even feed my own baby!) and I talked to some friends of mine, one of which is a LC. She said absolutely do not give her formula, she told me to pump and when I did it was just colostrum, therefore I had no milk yet. On day 5 the milk came and baby started porking up :)

I had a hard time with breastfeeding in the beginning. It hurt a lot. My nipples felt like open wounds. After maybe 3 weeks or so I felt better and now i LOVE it (she is 4mths)

I have the exact same pump! It works well. So far I have been able to pump enough for her and have almost 200 ounces stored in the freezer. Start building that freezer stash now!

oh and I definitely was/am hungrier from breastfeeding even more so than when I was pregnant. Hey I’m feeding a person now, not just a fetus!

When I went back to work I ended up pumping exclusively because my daughter stopped latching on. It was a lot of work but I did it until she was 11 months old and I needed antibiotics for a wicked sinus infection. I am so glad I saved all the money on formula because now she goes through one tub a week and that is $20! Keep pumping and freeze any extra because when she gets teeth, she might become a biter!

Used that pump and cream and loved both. I had the same issue with Peyton and once my milk came in, she was much happier. It took us about 2 to 3 weeks to get used to it and after that, it was simple. She is beautiful!

Did you ever use a pump?

Yes! I pump 4 times a day- once in the morning before my son wakes up, 2-3 times a day at work, and once before I go to bed.

I HATE pumping, by the way. As much as I love breastfeeding my boy, I honestly can’t wait until I don’t have to pump anymore. It makes me feel like a cow.

What was your breastfeeding experience like?

I’m still breastfeeding and my boy will be 8 months in a few days. He gets bottles when I’m at work but has never had formula.

It was tough the first couple of weeks. He gained enough weight, but I was in pain! Thankfully I never developed mastitis or anything but it did hurt for me in the beginning because I could never get him to latch correctly. It hurt so bad for me that I dreaded the next feeding and would cry (I’m sure hormones had something to do with it, too).

We just went through a nursing strike last week. It wasn’t until he pushed me away did I realize that although breastfeeding was hard for me, I love love love love being able to provide nourishment (physical and emotional) for my boy. I couldn’t get him to nurse for about 5 days!

Today? All is good. He’s nursing like a champ and I’m confident we’ll make it past 12 months.

Did you have to avoid any certain foods while breastfeeding?

Coffee and Fenugreek (lactation supplement). Both make him very irritable.

I stopped taking Fenugreek altogether and now just space out my coffee treats between his feedings. He can go about 3-4 hours between nursing sessions so I sometimes squeeze in a mocha here and there.

So glad to hear that you did not get discouraged and stop! What a wonderful gift you are giving her and you. Drink tons of water and enjoy every minute. I had that exact same pump and it was a dream! The next best thing to get is the hands free pumping bra. I found mine on Amazon for $15. It was a lifesaver. I strapped it on with the pump and had my hands free for the computer, reading, changing baby, etc.

Congrats to you on sticking with the breastfeeding – it is SO worth it, even though it is not easy at times. My son was born at 31 weeks and was in the NICU for 6 weeks, so I had to pump only for the first 3 weeks and then I finally got to breastfeed him when he was 3 weeks old. Luckily, he nursed like a champ and i was able to cut down on pumping to just a couple times per day when I was too “full” (I had major over-supply issues).

The “hurting” you describe sounds like your milk “letting down”…mine always felt like pins and needles or boob cramps, ha! And then it wouldn’t hurt anymore, just at the very beginning of the pump/nursing session. I had mastitis a couple of times but it cleared up with antibiotics – still no fun!

I breastfed my son until he was 16 months and then he was ready to wean (I could tell he was less interested in nursing and no longer needed it for soothing purposes, so I gradually started weaning him at 16 months). I found that I needed to avoid foods like onion, asparagus, broccoli and other “cruciferous” foods or it would give him bad gas. Oatmeal greatly increased my supply, just FYI! (A little old wives trick!) Keep up the good work, and congratulations, you are such a great mom!! :-)

Yay I’m glad it all worked out for you! And Brooke just keeps getting cuter with every picture I see :)

Oh my gosh Brooke is sooooo cute! I would just want to hold her all day!

I am glad to hear breast feeding is going well!! I had a hard time with it at first. It was as if Anna just wasn’t getting enough to eat. I felt like I was nursing her around the clock. I had a cat scan and had to bottle feed her for 2 days (thankfully I had milk frozen) and I think that was the break we both needed. Now she nurses just fine and gets plenty to eat!

I am using the Ameda purly yours double breast pump. I usually pump after her first morning feeding but will be pumping when I return to work tomorrow. I am determine to never use formula. Nothing against those that do, its just my personal choice.

totally normal :) sounds like you’re doing awesome! and I LOVE the medela pump! I went to weddings, when everywhere and Colin loved being able to give a bottle every once in a while. I also bought freezer bags and froze milk – you can also pump extra just to store it – but apparently the milk changes as she grows so don’t hold onto it for too long. It’s just nice to have some in case you just want to walk around with Billy for a date night and then there’s milk if Brooke needs it :) glad you’re bf’ing :)

Try the Madela cream, it is a few dollars more but worth every penny! When I switched to that kind it made a huge difference and gave me lots of relief in the beginning! You are the cutest momma and she is gorgeous! So happy for you girl! Miss you!

Breast feeding is hard the first month – sounds like you’re doing an awesome job. Keep making sure you feed frequently so your supply stays strong. Pumping is such a great thing to do when you’re full and the baby is asleep or not hungry (and husband can help you at night or when you need a break). We had issues with breast feeding at first – my baby was a preemie and had some latching issues until she was bigger. So I used a breast shield to help, and gradually got off of that (and also got a lot of professional help ). Now my little girl is 5 months old and breast feeding is going great. She doesn’t eat as frequently now as she first did so I get more of a break at night. She’s very healthy and plump now (she was only 5 pounds 3 ounces at birth) and has more than tripled her birth weight.

Any advice on running & nursing? Any bras you find the most comfortable, etc? I had horrible problems with mastitis (x2) and plugged ducts with my daugther, and as a result couldn’t wear sports bras. I was bummed. I’m really hoping the second time around goes much better.