Hello. Thanks for taking time to read about my small journey towards breast feeding.
My baby is 6 months old today, which also means I've exclusively breastfed my little one for 6 months.
This is my first experience. In this blog, I will be discussing the challenges, whole process & the success of my breastfeeding experience.
With my first pregnancy, I wasn't able to feed my baby for various different reasons but I have no regrets. I would not change even a single thing with the experience I had with my first baby. Every mother gives her best in every way possible when it comes to feeding the baby. She clearly knows what is best for her & her little one. If you are a formula feeding mother or a breast feeding mother, kudos to you for being the best in you're own way. I bottle fed my first baby that doesn't get me love him any lesser. All his firsts were mine too & that makes me love him more!
Well, With this pregnancy, things were different for me. As soon as I gave birth to my little girl, the nurse put her on my boob & instantly she started to suck on. i know it looks very easy, it was kind of.
Also it looked like my baby was getting it right. I was surprised & anxious at the same time, this is how it all started.
I stayed in the hospital for a couple of days after my delivery & I made sure to get all the help with breastfeeding from the nurses, Pediatrician & most importantly from the lactation consultant. I cleared most of my doubts I had regarding pumping, bottle feeding, latching, positioning, diet & supply.
My understanding about the process was feed the baby on demand, perfect latch is the key, you're boob is never empty, you can choose not to pump at all, bottle feeding is just an option, diaper count is a way to know if you're baby is getting enough, cluster feeding is extremely common during initial days or later on, baby will drink a lot of milk, you're nipples will be sore or cracked (especially first month), the more you feed the more you produce, skin to skin help more than you can ever imagine.
If you are planning on breastfeeding you're baby, Please watch & read about breastfeeding. There are so many sources out there that helps you with the information.
I will be linking the people I follow for unlimited knowledge in the end of this blog.
Latch -
My nurse told me that it shouldn't feel painful, itchy or pinching when the baby latches. If you feel any of these, it clearly means the latch is not right. So positioning is very important. Also doing a sandwich hold & offering you're boob to the baby helps in latch (always worked for me)
Never let the baby suck on to only the nipple. never let baby choose the boob. make sure you feed on both.
The session should not exceed 40 minutes. It means 20 minutes each boob & not more than that.
Empty Boob?
We mothers often wonder if our boob is empty after each feed. The truth is, boobs are never going to get empty. We feel if we have soft or loose breast, if baby has short feeds, if there is no leaking boob, when you don't get enough when you pump that our boobs are empty. but these signs don't indicate low milk supply or no supply.
If the baby is happy & not fussy, if the baby is peeing & pooping enough number of times, if they're napping okay, You are good.
It is never as easy as sucking from the bottle when it comes to breastfeed. The baby knows the knack of sucking & getting out milk when they needs it.
My baby has nursed so many times after I've pumped & all those time I've been anxious about the supply but the baby seemed to be getting what she needed.
Pumping & Bottle Feeding -
My first question to the Doctor was, Can I choose not to pump? My Doc said, Yes.
Often mothers choose to pump for different reasons. I chose not to because I wanted to give my best & enjoy my journey. Also I did pump couple of times in the first 2 weeks but didn't get much in the bottle. I felt it was discouraging my mind & I started to get anxious about my supply. However my baby was still doing great in terms of eating & diaper count, so I decided not to pump.
later, my baby's pediatrician insisted me to pump to make things easy for me. He said to bottle feed the baby once a day, that would help to wean the baby whenever I decide.
my baby refused taking bottle for good 2 months, all these time I concentrated on building stash which would help when I get back to work. Around 4 months of age, my baby finally started taking bottle. However, her favorite is still mommy's boob & that makes me feel special :)
Cluster feeding -
This is something that is new to experience & often mothers hate it. especially in the beginning of postpartum because we're so tired already, cluster feeding squeeze the energy out of you. Cluster feeding basically means baby constantly feeds to an extent where they take 30 minutes break & feeds again, this can go up to hours.
I experienced it during the first month. whenever it got too much I would go shut myself in the bathroom (always made sure my baby is placed safe in her crib) & took some time out (15 minutes) & then get back to feed her again. This technique has helped me so much.
Sore or Cracked nipple -
This is another thing majority of the mothers go through. I had this during the first couple of months. Babies will be figuring the latching technique, some time they just want to hold on to the nipple & that is going to be very painful. During these time, applying nipple butter, Vaseline & hot shower has helped me. You will have to apply it all the time especially after each feed.
Supply -
This is the concern every mother has, "if my baby is getting enough milk, is my supply okay" Its a universal question, but all you have to worry is to eat right & check on diaper count.
Firstly, more you feed more you produce. Its very easy to say but you really have to work on this. You'll not see the results then & there. over a period of time, you'll know.
First 2 months is crucial to build you're supply, make sure you eat good.
Skin to Skin -
I cannot stress more on this topic because we all know how good we feel when we have our baby skin to skin. not only it makes you feel good but also it has a lot of advantages.
"Evidence indicates that skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant shortly after birth helps to initiate early breastfeeding and increases the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding for 1-4 months of life & overall duration of breastfeeding."
However this was true & helped with my second pregnancy & not with my first one.
Diet -
I ate pretty much everything in moderation. Whole foods is a great option. Anything green (fenugreek, spinach, dill are my favorites) is great. maybe you can cut on sugars, anything processed. Eating lots of greens, beans, pulses, rice, eggs, paneer (good fat) & most importantly water. Drink as much as water possible. green tea would do, juice is great.
Fenugreek water, sprouted fenugreek seeds, cumin seed water, Fennel seed water in the mornings or throughout the day helps.
Supplements would do good as well. Fenugreek capsules was my best friend. My baby's pediatrician asked me to & I took 3 of each a day(500mg).
sprouted green moong dal would help. I ate gond laddos (power packed with nutrition).
Haakaa -
This is a boon for a nursing mother. We all know sometime while feeding the baby, the other boob leaks. Haakaa helps you to collect. You can freeze that milk to feed the baby later with bottle.
Freshly expressed milk can be kept up to 4 hours in room temperature, up to 4 days in the refrigerator, up to 6 months in the freezer.
Nursing in public -
In the beginning, I definitely hesitated to feed my baby in public. After I got the hang of it, I was not shy. Its never easy for everyone. we all need to work on it.
For me feeding the baby when she's hungry is the most important thing at that time.
I've nursed her in restaurants, airport, park, mall without a covering. I feel there's nothing to be shy of.
Positivity -
Apart from doing all these things, follow you're gut, be mindful, follow you're instincts & most importantly stay calm & positive.
In the beginning you'll have to push things for you & you're baby, after a couple of months all you're hard work will be paid off.
You'll see it & you'd feel so proud of you're body & you're little one. Just trust the whole process.
Even after giving you're best & you don't see the success which you always wanted, don't worry. Still be proud for not giving up. Infant formula exist for mothers like us.
I've been there & I know when someone shames you for not making enough milk. All I can say is believe in karma.
I'm so happy that I got to experience both formula feeding & breast feeding in my life. In other words, I know what it is to be both & I will have the same respect for all the mothers.
"More power to all the mothers. We are just beyond amazing. Cheers"
Accounts to follow on IG -
"Pokkisham by babyshree" She also offers online session. I took one & it was so helpful.
"mamaguide"
"sharonmazel"
"healthiest_baby"
-KS
