My Breastfeeding Experience

What a lot of work it is. At first. I've had a very successful breastfeeding experience.  The support I receive from my significant other and a best friend of mine and of course determination and knowledge have been key in my success. Before McKenna I knew I was going to try breastfeeding but if it didn't work for us, I was never opposed to formula. Now I couldn't be more proud that 5 months in my babe has had nothing but Mommas breast milk (toot toot!) and I don't see an end in sight- my goal is to atleast make it to a year. It was not easy getting to this point of convenience. But I could not be more happy.

When McKenna was first born, there were some complications so she wasn't able to be put on my chest right away, but within minutes of being born she was. She nuzzled her way right over to my breast and started suckling. I was so caught up in the awe of how incredible it was for the first half a second anyway. Then I was like OWWWWIEEEE. Oh but 'it shouldn't hurt', well for me- that hurt and continued to hurt.  After she ate some the nurses then took the little and Momma got all cleaned up and ready to move to the maternity section. We went into the hospital on Sunday and our little was born Tuesday at 244am, so to say I was exhausted was an understatement. The first day of her life the nurses were insistent that I wake her to feed her every 3 hours. We didn't have to do much waking because she was wide awake and so very alert. The second day- little Miss McKenna was cluster feeding all day and for the following days. My nipples were adjusting to being suckled on what felt like 24 hours a day (lanolin cream, and hydrogel pads (kept cold in refrigerator) were a little slice of heaven when the babe wasn't nursing) there were a few tears shed and a lot of working on her latch. I took breastfeeding one feeding at a time. At first there were many times when I wanted to throw in the towel, McKenna was feeding 15-20 times a day and was on my breast for practically 6-8 hours a day. It was exhausting, I felt like that's all I was doing - because it was all I was doing. Some days I felt like something was wrong, was she getting enough milk, why does she always want to be eating, so many questions. But she was having plenty of wet diapers and growing like a weed, so I knew I was doing something right. I had a girlfriend that I texted daily asking questions as she just breastfed her little babe and had a similar experience. I also read a lot of blogs/ forums/ articles on breastfeeding and breastfeeding Mommas. Each experience is so unique but many women have similar questions. 

If it weren't for the articles I read about breast milk and breastfeeding and my friend that just went through it, I'd for sure think something wasn't right, I.e- not producing enough milk. So for all that want to breast feed, two huge factors in my success include -

Educating yourself.  Know the ins and outs of breast feeding. Read books, listen to lactation consultants (those papers, they initially give you- read them- it can be hard with a newborn but answers to your worrisome questions are there), talk with other mommas that breastfeed/ have breastfed, believe in your body and its ability to breastfeed (this may mean shutting out others thoughts and opinions). I've actually found some really great Facebook/ Instagram pages all about breastfeeding and that provide support in researched articles/ all different types of experiences. Know that feeding a baby on demand while breastfeeding is the best, yes even if that means your child is eating every 30 minutes. 

Support. There's a saying that goes- breastfeeding is 90% support and 10% milk production. I feel like this one is huge. Your significant other, friends, family, doctors- make sure you're all on the same page. Garett made it easy for me, he had six nephews and nieces all breastfed, so it would have been more weird to him had I not. Whenever he is home he makes sure I have a full glass of water (hydrate hydrate!) by my side and plentiful meals to eat. The first few days in the hospital he was nothing but beyond supportive, making me watch the breastfeeding videos with him, always sharing what a special/ beautiful/ natural process it was. And always encouraging me to take it one feeding at a time. To this day, he's always encouraging me to breastfeed whenever the babe needs it, wherever. He's just been super supportive. He's not embarrassed, or worried about people seeing my breasts, he's calmed me down many times and made me feel confident to nurse in public (something I never thought I'd do- I'm not quite sure why I ever felt that way.) I know he's the exception, but it has beyond helped me. My friend Vicki, who now has an 18 month old- I texted (still do!) daily with questions and she was always right there to tell me, it's ok, that should be happening..McKennas doctor was and is completely supportive of exclusively breastfeeding, not pushing formula onto us or any supplement. My best friends don't even bat an eye when I nurse.

I've learned to deal with the people that keep asking or saying, 'oh, just try formula!' 'Are you sure your child is getting enough with just your breast milk?' 'Has the doctor mentioned trying formula or supplementing?' 'Why don't you add a little rice or cereal to your breast milk to make your baby sleep' 'you should have formula as back up.'  All I hear is 'blah, blah, blah.'  These people- well. Let's just say in your toughest hour, you don't need someone suggesting formula- I do get frustrated sometimes though, because those people suggesting such have little knowledge on breastmilk, and quite literally the liquid gold it is. Or else they wouldn't suggest it, sometimes I just want to shove books in their face or statements from the American Pediactrics Association, but what's the point,  I know and they don't- so still learning to just smile and nod. The research on breastmilk has come a long way. 

So my breastfeeding experience has been incredible. Never did I think I'd enjoy it as much as I do. My daughter has reflux and I'm so glad that I'm able to provide the best and easiest food for her to digest and work through that. I've eliminated foods from my diet to help the situation - five months strong and still exclusively breastfed. We've tried oatmeal, and let's just say we won't be trying that anytime in the near future as it was a traumatizing experience followed by our first er visit. I'm beyond grateful I've been able to provide the best nourishment for her.

A few neat things to note- on our road trip! I made sure to nurse my babe in all the different states, teehee. I nurse my babe in public. She eats often, a snacker (helps with her reflux) so feeding her out in public has allowed me to be out of the house more. I hope we as a society get to a point where breastfeeding is the complete norm and people don't look at you like you're doing something completely illegal when feeding your little. Oh no! A boob! 🙈. I'm proud to say I'm a huge supporter of #normalizebreastfeeding. I feed my little in restaurants, outside, at my house, when people are over.. It took a little bit to get to this point but I'm damn proud. I even do the unimaginable, I nurse my babe to sleep when she allows it, there's no putting the babe down when she's 'drowsy' in this house unless we want an hysterically enraged baby. 

My little loves her nursing time, as does Momma. I could just stare at her forever as she reaches to my face and grabs my lips and nose. Or as she gently tickles or fiercely scratches my skin (either or, ha!). She's reaching the stage of where she just chit chats the whole time while eating, unlatching herself to turn her head and smile or to see what else is going on just leaving the whole world to see her food source (fresh little lady). It's something so special- and I'm so happy I have this experience with my little and looking forward to doing it with future children. A year is my goal! And if it surpasses that, then so be it. It's certainly a priceless experience. But it takes time, determination, knowledge, patience, and love. It has also reached the point of extreme convenience, all she really needs if we go anywhere is a diaper and me :) 

I can definitely understand why breastfeeding wouldn't work with some families. As I've been super lucky that I haven't been away from my little for more than two hours in these past five months. God bless the Mommas that pump everyday. Holy - tons of work. I pump so I have my freezer stash, but I'm not crazy about it as I only get such a small amount when I pump. My little babe is much more effective at getting milk out of me compared to the pump. 

Did I mention I was back down to my pre prego weight 2 weeks after I had my babe... Now I can't say it's all because how much my babe was nursing, but it definitely helped ;)

I have totally loved everything about nursing my babe, even if it means longer nights. And I hope my friends reach out to me when they have kids someday and have questions/ need support around breastfeeding. I'd never be one to push it on someone, but if they ever needed my support I'd be right there for them or help guide them in the right direction. Now! The cutest pictures of the chunk on my little, her double chin, cheeks, wrist rolls and chunky thighs are just the most scrumptious!